BUTLER, PA – A tragic scene unfolded at a campaign rally for former President Donald Trump on Saturday night, as a gunman opened fire, resulting in one death and two critical injuries. The FBI has identified the shooter as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, who was subsequently killed by a Secret Service sniper.
Crooks, a recent high school graduate, was confirmed as the assailant through DNA analysis, as he carried no identification. The FBI and Secret Service are now delving into his background, speaking with family members, and investigating his home in suburban Pittsburgh. Suspicious devices found in his vehicle have added urgency to the ongoing probe.
Despite being a registered Republican, Crooks had a history of donating to a Democratic-aligned group, leaving his political motivations murky. Kevin Rojek, the FBI’s special agent in charge in Pittsburgh, noted that there are no known connections to foreign terrorism, though the investigation continues.
The attack occurred when Crooks, armed with a semiautomatic AR-style rifle, began shooting from the roof of a shed about 400 feet from the rally stage. Trump’s enhanced Secret Service detail, including counter-sniper teams, acted swiftly to neutralize the threat. The former president was grazed by a bullet but was otherwise unharmed.
Witnesses described the chaotic moments leading up to the shooting. Greg, an attendee, recalled seeing Crooks crawling up a building with a rifle and attempting to alert authorities. Despite these warnings, the gunman was able to fire shots before being taken down.
The FBI is urging anyone with information to assist in the investigation as they work to understand the motives behind this violent act.