Thomas Matthew Crooks: What we know about Donald Trump's attacker
Credit: CBS News
Thomas Matthew Crooks appeared in his high school yearbook photo from 2022.
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The FBI identified the individual who fired a shot at Donald Trump during a campaign event as Thomas Matthew Crooks.
Crooks is accused of shooting his gun while the ex-president was speaking to a group in Butler, Pennsylvania. This resulted in the death of one person in the audience and left two others with serious injuries.
According to officials, a Secret Service sniper shot and killed a kitchen worker who was 20 years old at the scene.
According to the FBI, Crooks is the person involved in the attempt to kill the former president. They are currently conducting an active investigation into the matter.
Who Attacked Donald Trump?
Thomas Crooks did not have any identification on him, so investigators had to use his DNA to figure out who he was, according to the FBI.
He hailed from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, around 70km (43 miles) away from the location of the assassination attempt. In 2022, he completed his education at Bethel Park High School, where he was awarded a $500 prize for excelling in math and science, as reported by a nearby newspaper.
According to the BBC, Crooks was employed in a nearby nursing home kitchen, which was conveniently close to his residence.
Records from the state's voter registration database indicate that he was enrolled as a member of the Republican party, as reported by American news outlets.
It is said that he gave $15 to the liberal campaign organization ActBlue in 2021.
As per reports from the US media, Crooks was spotted in a shirt from Demolition Ranch, a popular YouTube channel specializing in firearms and destruction. The channel has a large following with many videos showcasing various guns and explosions.
Police officers think the gun used to shoot at Donald Trump was bought by the criminal's dad, according to the Associated Press.
Two police officers, who asked not to be named, told AP that Crooks' father purchased a firearm at least six months ago.
The following day after the shooting incident, authorities sources informed CBS, the US partner of the BBC, that potentially dangerous items were discovered in Crooks' car.
As per CBS, the individual possessed a piece of equipment that could potentially activate the devices and it was easily accessible for purchase.
Explosive experts were summoned to the location to secure and examine the devices.
What Drove Him?
With Crooks's identity confirmed, authorities and organizations are now looking into the reasons behind his actions.
"We do not currently know the reason behind the incident," stated Kevin Rojek, the special agent in charge of the FBI in Pittsburgh, during a briefing on Saturday evening.
The investigation into the events that occurred may continue for many months, and detectives will work diligently to determine what drove Crooks to act, according to Mr. Rojek.
Talking to CNN, the father of Crooks, named Matthew Crooks, stated that he was trying to understand "what is happening" but would wait to speak to the authorities before discussing his son.
Title: Schoolmate describes Trump attacker as deeply interested in history A former classmate of the man who attacked former President Donald Trump during a rally has spoken out, saying that the attacker was extremely passionate about history. The schoolmate described the attacker as someone who was deeply interested in the subject and often engaged in discussions about historical events. The attacker's passion for history is seen as a possible motive behind the attack on Trump during the rally.
The police closed off the road leading to the residence of Crooks and his family, as reported by CBS News.
A person living nearby told CBS that the police came and made her leave her home in the middle of the night without any notice.
The police in Bethel Park reported that they were investigating a suspicious bomb situation near Crooks's residence.
Entry to the region is heavily restricted, with law enforcement vehicles obstructing the streets. Only people who live there are permitted to enter or leave.
According to sources in law enforcement who spoke to CBS, they suspect that there was some level of premeditation involved before the shooting.
The amount of time dedicated to that planning is currently under investigation.
Authorities think he worked by himself, but are still looking into the possibility that he had someone with him at the protest.
Was Anyone Hit?
Video captured by American news website TMZ depicts the shooter on top of a building firing his weapon.
A shooting incident resulted in the death of one individual and injuries to two others.
According to CBS News, all three individuals who were harmed are men and were attending the event as spectators. Their identities have not been disclosed.
A fundraising page on GoFundMe was created by Meredith O'Rourke, who is the national finance director for the Trump campaign, shortly after the incident. The donations received will be given to the families of the individuals who were harmed.
It has collected over $340,000, which is equivalent to £267,000.
On his Truth Social account, Trump shared that he was hit by a bullet in his right ear, causing intense pain as it tore through the skin.
Trump's ear and face were covered in blood as security officers quickly took him away.
Trump is currently in good health and appreciative of the efforts of police officers, as per a statement released on the official Republican National Committee (RNC) website.
What Was The Suspected Shooter's Proximity To Trump?
One person told the BBC that they saw a man - thought to be Crooks - holding a gun on top of a building just before Trump was targeted.
A video obtained by TMZ captures the exact moment the shooting started.
The attacker started shooting with a gun similar to an AR rifle, according to CBS News.
According to police sources, a bystander reported him and police identified him as a suspicious individual, but they lost sight of him before the shooting started.
However, the FBI mentioned that they were not able to quickly determine the type of gun used by the shooter or the exact number of shots fired.
A sniper from the Secret Service fired back and fatally shot the gunman, according to the agency's statement.
Video later shows police officers carrying weapons as they approach a person's body on top of the building.
