The quaint suburb of Bethel Park, nestled in Pennsylvania, has been engulfed in shock and mourning following the revelation that the FBI has identified a local young man as the perpetrator who targeted Donald Trump during a campaign rally. Authorities assert that Thomas Matthew Crooks, wielding an AR-style rifle, unleashed a barrage of gunfire at the former president while he addressed a gathering in Butler, Pennsylvania. The tragic episode resulted in the death of one attendee and injuries to two others. At the scene, Crooks, a 20-year-old kitchen staffer, met his end at the hands of a Secret Service sniper. Here’s what we know about him.
The Incident Unfolds
The FBI has laid bare the horrifying details of the incident. As Trump spoke to his supporters, Crooks, armed with an AR-style rifle, fired indiscriminately. The ensuing chaos left one individual deceased and two others injured. The quick response of the Secret Service, which involved a sniper fatally shooting Crooks, brought the immediate threat to an end.
Thomas Matthew Crooks: A Background Overview
Thomas Crooks hailed from Bethel Park, a suburban enclave situated approximately 70 kilometers (43 miles) from the scene of the botched assassination attempt. He graduated from Bethel Park High School in 2022, where he was honored with a $500 prize for his excellence in mathematics and science, as reported by a local publication. Crooks was employed in the kitchen of a nearby nursing home, where he had passed a thorough background check without raising any alarms.
His academic journey continued at the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC), where he pursued an associate degree in engineering science from 2021 to 2024, graduating with high honors. A review of his college records revealed no disciplinary infractions. State voter records indicate that Crooks was registered as a Republican, although he also made a $15 donation to the liberal advocacy group ActBlue in 2021, as per election donation filings and media reports.
Affiliations and Interests
Crooks was affiliated with the Clairton Sportsmen’s Club, a local shooting range with facilities for high-powered rifles, including targets situated up to 171 meters away. The club expressed strong condemnation of the senseless violence through its attorney, Robert S. Bootay III.
Reports suggest that the AR-style rifle used in the shooting was purchased by Crooks’ father. Furthermore, Crooks acquired a box of ammunition containing 50 rounds on the day of the rally, according to CBS, which is the BBC’s US news partner.
Unraveling the Motive
The motive behind Crooks’ actions remains elusive. Investigators have uncovered that he had visited the Butler County fairgrounds, the location of the rally, on at least one occasion in the days leading up to the shooting. Additionally, his phone records show searches related to depressive disorder symptoms and images of both Donald Trump and President Joe Biden.
On July 15, the FBI reported that forensic experts had successfully accessed Crooks’ phone and were scrutinizing it along with other digital evidence for potential insights into his motivations. Crooks’ family is reportedly cooperating with the ongoing investigation. CBS, citing three law enforcement sources, has revealed that Crooks’ father contacted the police following the shooting, although the specifics of this communication remain unclear.
Ongoing Investigation
FBI Director Christopher Wray has informed US lawmakers that over 200 interviews have been conducted and 14,000 images reviewed as part of the investigation. While law enforcement officials believe Crooks acted independently, they are still examining whether he had any accomplices present at the rally.
The case of Thomas Matthew Crooks remains under intense scrutiny as authorities continue to piece together the events leading up to the tragic attempt on Donald Trump’s life.
