Shooter Who Attempted to Assassinate Donald Trump Identified
The FBI has identified the shooter who attempted to assassinate Donald Trump at a rally.
The suspected gunman, who opened fire during a Trump rally on Saturday in Butler, Pennsylvania, was shot and killed by a Secret Service sniper.
FBI Identifies Shooter in Trump Rally Assassination Attempt
According to CNN, the FBI released a statement identifying the shooter as Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old resident of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania.
Thomas Crooks did not have any identification on his person, prompting FBI agents to use DNA analysis and biometric confirmation to establish his identity definitively.
Details of Thomas Matthew Crooks, the Suspected Gunman
According to the publication, Thomas Crooks graduated from Bethel Park High School in 2022.
Public records indicate that he was registered to vote as a Republican, with his name, age, and Bethel Park address matching entries in Pennsylvania’s voter database, which law enforcement searched on Saturday night.
Investigation Underway: Motive for Assassination Attempt Unclear
During the shooting incident, Thomas positioned himself approximately 200 to 300 feet outside the secured rally area atop what appeared to be a shed, armed with an AR-style rifle, according to two sources familiar with the situation.
Donald Trump sustained an injury to his right ear during the shooting and was swiftly evacuated from the stage for medical attention.
Tragically, one rally attendee lost their life, and two others suffered critical injuries, as reported by the Secret Service in a statement on Saturday night.
Helicopter footage from the rally in Butler captured a man lying on a rooftop with what seemed to be a rifle nearby. Additionally, ground-level footage taken by a bystander showed a man dressed in camouflage-style clothing lying atop the roof.
Authorities are treating the incident as an attempted assassination and are currently investigating the motive behind the attack.