Authorities have identified the shooter who attempted to assassinate former United States President Donald Trump at a political rally on Saturday, July 13, 2024, in Pennsylvania as 20-year-old Thomas Crooks.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation stated in a press release that “Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, is the individual involved in the assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump on July 13 in Butler, Pennsylvania.” The FBI also mentioned that the investigation is ongoing and encouraged anyone with information to come forward.
The bureau added, “This remains an active and ongoing investigation, and anyone with information that may assist with the investigation is encouraged to submit photos or videos online.”
During his campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, Trump – the Republican candidate for the upcoming November 5, 2024, presidential election, was shot at and the Secret Service agents quickly rushed him off the stage into an SUV.
The gunman and a bystander were killed at the rally, while two spectators were critically wounded.
The Service said the shooter “fired multiple shots toward the stage from an elevated position outside the rally” before being “neutralised” by agents, AFP reports.
I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear. I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin. Much bleeding took place, so I realised then what was happening,” Trump narrated after the incident.
After being killed at the scene, the special agent in charge of the FBI’s Pittsburgh field office, Kevin Rojek, said Crooks had no means of identification on him, so agents had to “run his DNA and get biometric confirmation,” CNN reports.
When reached by CNN on Saturday night, the shooter’s father, Matthew Crooks, said he was trying to figure out “what the hell is going on” but would “wait until I talk to law enforcement” before speaking about his son.
A resident who lives down the road from Crooks’, John Wolf said he was in contact with other worried neighbours, saying, “People are scared.”
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