The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has identified the shooter who attempted to assassinate Donald Trump during a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday.
"The FBI has identified Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, as the individual involved in the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump on July 13 in Butler, Pennsylvania," the agency stated in a press release.
Crooks resided in the municipality of Bethel Park, approximately 35 miles south of Butler, where the Republican leader’s event was being held. He graduated from Bethel Park High School in 2022.
According to the Pennsylvania voter database, Crooks was registered to vote as a Republican. The upcoming November presidential elections would have been the first he was eligible to vote in.
Furthermore, records from the Federal Election Commission indicate that in January 2021, he donated $15 to a Democrat-aligned political action committee called Progressive Turnout Project.
Crooks fired at Trump from the rooftop of a nearby building, located outside the rally’s security perimeter. He was fatally shot on the scene by Secret Service agents following the incident.
Upon examining his body, FBI agents discovered that he was not carrying any identification. Consequently, they had to "analyze his DNA and obtain biometric confirmation," stated Kevin Rojek, special agent in charge of the FBI field office in Pittsburgh, during a press conference.
CNN reached out to Matthew Crooks, the shooter's father, on Saturday night. He mentioned that he was trying to figure out "what the hell is going on," but would "wait to speak to the police" before commenting on his son.
The shooting resulted in the death of one rally attendee and left two others in critical condition, according to authorities. Trump was injured, noting on social media that he had been grazed by a bullet on the upper part of his ear. However, his campaign reported that he was otherwise fine. Trump flew back to Newark, New Jersey, on Saturday night.
Details on the Attempted Assassination of Donald Trump
In light of the recent events, here are some commonly asked questions and their answers regarding the attempted assassination of Donald Trump.
Who was the shooter in the attempted assassination of Donald Trump?
The shooter was identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania.
How did the FBI confirm the identity of the shooter?
The FBI had to analyze Crooks' DNA and obtain biometric confirmation since he was not carrying any identification.
What were the consequences of the shooting incident?
The shooting resulted in one death and two critically injured individuals among the rally attendees. Trump was grazed by a bullet but otherwise unharmed.
What was Thomas Matthew Crooks' political affiliation?
Crooks was registered to vote as a Republican, but he had previously donated to a Democrat-aligned political action committee.