Authorities have identified 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks as the gunman who allegedly attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump at a Pennsylvania rally. The incident took place on Saturday, sparking an ongoing investigation into the motive behind the attack.
Key Details About the Gunman:
- Crooks resided in the Pittsburgh suburb of Bethel Park, located approximately 35 miles south of the rally venue.
- The firearm used in the shooting was an AR-style weapon, which was traced back to Crooks' father. This information aided in confirming the gunman's identity as he was not carrying any identification at the time of the incident.
- Public records indicate that Crooks was registered as a Republican voter and had previously made a donation to a Democratic-aligned group. He had only voted once in the 2022 midterm general election.
- Employed as a dietary aide at the Bethel Park Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Crooks worked in close proximity to his family home. Law enforcement reportedly conducted a search at the facility following the shooting.
- Former classmates described Crooks as a quiet individual who had experienced bullying in high school and struggled to fit in with his peers. He graduated from Bethel Park High School in 2022.
- Both of Crooks' parents are social workers, with his father registered as a Libertarian voter and his mother as a Democrat.
As investigations continue, the FBI is working to access Crooks' phone to gather more information that may shed light on his motives for the attempted assassination. Crooks' father, Matthew Crooks, expressed shock and confusion over the situation and indicated he would cooperate with law enforcement.
