Authorities have identified the gunman who attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday. The FBI confirmed the shooter was 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. The motive for the attack remains unclear.
The gunman, armed with a semiautomatic rifle, fired several shots at the rally, striking Trump in the ear. The Secret Service swiftly neutralized Crooks, ensuring the safety of the former president. Anthony Guglielmi, Chief of Communications for the Secret Service, stated, "The shooter was immediately neutralized by our agents." The Secret Service confirmed that Trump was safe and an active investigation was ongoing.
Crooks, a 2022 graduate of Bethel Park High School, was described by classmates as a loner who faced bullying. Jason Kohler, a high school classmate, recalled, "Crooks was bullied so much in high school. He often sat alone at lunch." Another former classmate, Michael Dudjak, noted, "He was relatively reserved and quiet. It's terrifying for someone you went to school with to commit such a heinous act."
Bethel Park, a predominantly white, affluent suburb of Pittsburgh, is now reeling from the news. Neighbor Andrew Blanco expressed shock, "It's absolutely nuts. I just don't know anything about them because they're not even outside." Dan Grzybek, an Allegheny County council member who lives nearby, added, "No one ever expects that something like this would be done by someone who lives right in their neighborhood."
Federal law enforcement officials are investigating whether the rifle used by Crooks belonged to his father and if it was purchased legally. The firearm was traced back to Crooks' father, who had bought it legally, according to law enforcement sources. Additionally, items of concern were found in Crooks' vehicle, prompting bomb technicians to investigate further.
The FBI is also examining Crooks' social media presence. Discord, a social media platform, is cooperating with law enforcement and has identified a rarely used account linked to Crooks. A Discord spokesperson stated, "We found no evidence that the account was used in the planning of the attack."
The incident has intensified the political climate just months before the presidential election. During the rally, Trump was speaking in Butler, a key swing state, when gunshots were heard. Witnesses reported seeing Secret Service agents rush to protect Trump. Jason, a rally attendee, told the BBC, "We see the Secret Service jump on Trump to protect him. Everyone in the crowd dropped down very quickly."
President Joe Biden, who is running against Trump, condemned the violence, stating, "There's no place in America for this kind of violence. It's sick. It's sick." House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries echoed this sentiment, saying, "Political violence of any kind is never acceptable."
The assassination attempt has drawn parallels to past political violence in the U.S. Former President Ronald Reagan was the last president to survive an assassination attempt in 1981. Political figures, including former Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush, expressed relief that Trump was not seriously injured and condemned the attack.
Online reactions to the incident were swift and varied. British journalist Dan Wootton tweeted, "Donald Trump just won the election with this historic image. Trump is the brave leader the world needs. PROTECT THE PRESIDENT FROM THE EVIL FORCES WHO WILL STOP AT NOTHING TO DEFEAT HIM BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY." Another user on X accused mainstream media of inciting violence against Trump, stating, "Leftists sided my MSM have facilitated the attempted murder of Donald Trump. They have much to answer for."
Trump's eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., reassured supporters on social media, saying his father was "in great spirits" after speaking with him on the phone. The Biden campaign paused all messaging and pulled down television ads out of respect for the incident.
