Incident Overview
Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump at a rally. The incident occurred when Crooks fired multiple shots from an AR style rifle. A secret service sniper subsequently shot and killed Crooks, ensuring the safety of attendees.
FBI Briefing
In a Sunday briefing, the FBI reported that Crooks’ recent communications offered limited insights into his motive, and there was no indication that others were involved. However, the FBI is examining Crooks’ cell phone for further clues, which has been sent to their lab in Virginia.
Background on Thomas Crooks
Thomas Crooks graduated from Bethel Park High School in 2022. Known to be quiet and frequently bullied, he had a minimal social media presence and no record of political activism. He sometimes wore hunting outfits, as noted by acquaintances. Pennsylvania voting records indicate that Crooks was a registered Republican, yet he made a small donation of $15 to the Democratic-aligned Progressive Turnout Project on the day of Joe Biden’s inauguration.
Discord Activity
Crooks had an account on Discord, a messaging app, but had not posted on it for several months. A spokesperson for Discord mentioned that his account was removed due to its off-platform behavior policy.
Witness and Family Accounts
Witnesses described seeing Crooks bear crawling up the roof of a building about 450 feet from Trump. Crooks’ father, who owned the gun used in the shooting, assumed his son had gone to a gun range and became worried when he couldn’t reach him. Upon hearing news of the shooting, he contacted the police.
FBI’s Assessment
The FBI confirmed that Crooks had not been on their radar as a potential threat before the incident and there were no indications of mental health issues. The investigation continues as authorities seek to understand the motives behind this attempted assassination.
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