Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, has been identified as the failed assasin of former U.S President Donald J. Trump, the current Republican nominee for President.
The shooting took place at a Trump campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania – roughly 40 miles from Bethel Park. Crooks missed his target, grazing Trump’s ear; however, one rally attendee was fatally shot and two others were reportedly injured.
Records show Crooks had registered as a Republican, a tactic some Democratic activists do in order to manipulate local primary elections. However, according to Reuters, Crooks donated $15 to ActBlue, a political action committee. Crook’s donation was allocated for the Progressive Turnout Project, a nationwide organization which rallies Democrats to vote.
TMZ posted video of Crooks shooting from on top of a nearby building: https://www.tmz.com/
USA Today reported dozens of law enforcement vehicles outside what is believed to be Crooks’ home.
Crooks’ father, Matthew, per CNN, said he was trying to figure out what happened.
U.S. Secret Service “neutralized” Crooks within minutes of the failed assasination attempt with an AR-15. He was pronounced dead.
Trump hoisted his fist into the air after being shot and made the following statement via TruthSocial:
“I want to thank The United States Secret Service, and all of Law Enforcement, for their rapid response on the shooting that just took place in Butler, Pennsylvania. Most importantly, I want to extend my condolences to the family of the person at the Rally who was killed, and also to the family of another person that was badly injured. It is incredible that such an act can take place in our Country. Nothing is known at this time about the shooter, who is now dead. 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 realized then what was happening. GOD BLESS AMERICA!”
