Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, has been identified as the gunman who killed one man, injured former President Donald Trump, and wounded two others during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Crooks, positioned 130 yards away on a rooftop, shot Trump in the upper ear. Trump sustained minor injuries, while Corey Comperatore, 50, was killed, and David Dutch, 57, and James Copenhaver, 74, were injured. Crooks was shot dead by law enforcement.
Authorities found explosives, including an IED, in Crooks’ car parked near the rally. His home also contained bomb-making materials, though the nature and extent of these materials remain under investigation. The discovery of the car and subsequent reports of suspicious packages led to the deployment of bomb technicians.
Fox News reports investigators remained at the scene well into the night to make sure it was clear and also conducted a search of Crooks’ home and spoke with his family.
Law enforcement officials told the Associated Press that bomb-making materials were found inside Crooks’ vehicle and bomb-making materials were also found at his home. The two officials were not authorized to speak publicly and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity.
nvestigators believe the firearm Crooks used had been purchased by Crooks’ father at least six months ago, two law enforcement officials told the AP. Federal agents were still working to understand when and how his son obtained the gun, and to gather additional information about Crooks, according to the officials.
The FBI early Sunday identified Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, “as the subject involved in the assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump on July 13, in Butler, Pennsylvania.”
The bureau said the investigation remains active and ongoing and encourages anyone with information to submit photos or videos online at fbi.gov/butler or call 1-800-CALL-FBI.
