The shooter who took aim at Donald Trump at his July 13 rally in Butler, Pennsylvania has been identified by the FBI as Thomas Matthew Crooks, of Bethel Park, PA, about an hour south of Butler.
As previously reported, Donald Trump was holding a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on Saturday (July 13) when a gunman opened fire in the direction of the GOP nominee in the 2024 presidential election. At the time, it was not clear if the “loud noises” that erupted as Trump made his speech were confirmed gunshots.
However, the Associated Press updated that gunfire did erupt at Donald Trump’s rally and that he was doing “fine” after leaving the stage with a bloody ear. It was also reported by Representative Dan Meuser, who was near Trump at the rally, that there were 8 to 10 gunshots that rung out. Meuser said that other attendees in the crowd may have been hit by what sounded like a .22 or small caliber weapon.
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AP also reported that the suspected shooter was killed by Secret Service agents and that one other attendee was killed in the incident. Initial reports claimed that sources were told by agents that Trump was not hit by a bullet at his Pennsylvania rally. Instead, sources claimed that a bullet hit his teleprompter and that the shattered glass flew and grazed his ear, causing him to bleed, as seen in many viral photos and videos.
However, Trump later broke his silence on Truth Social, writing, “I want to thank The United States Secret Service, and all of the 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!”
Hours after the shooting at Donald Trump’s Pennsylvania rally, the New York Post first reported that the shooter had been identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, a reported registered Republican from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. The FBI later confirmed the gunman’s identity in a statement.
The agency wrote, “The FBI has identified Thomas Matthew 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. This remains an active and ongoing investigation, and anyone with information that may assist with the investigation is encouraged to submit photos or videos online at FBI.gov/butler or call 1-800-CALL-FBI.”
Kevin Rojek, FBI Pittsburgh special agent in charge, also spoke at a briefing on Saturday night claiming, “We do not currently have an identified motive.” Early Sunday morning (July 14), law enforcement added that there are no foreign terrorism ties known at this time and that the suspect was not on the radar of law enforcement officials; however, they are still investigating his background, speaking with his family, and searching his home and family’s residence in suburban Pittsburgh.
Federal investigators also reported that the gunman was not carrying any identification and had to use DNA to provide a biometric confirmation of his identity. They further updated that two men were in critical condition at the rally, their names not yet released.
As for the shooting itself, multiple law enforcement sources said that the gunman opened fire with an AR-style rifle from 200 to 300 feet away from the rally stage. Several images and videos show the suspected gunman in position on a roof of a shed outside the security perimeter.
One man who was at the Pennsylvania rally claimed that as soon as Donald Trump started speaking, witnesses saw a man “bear crawling” up the building. The man told BBC, “We’re pointing at the guy. He had a rifle — you could literally see him with a rifle.” He said that he and others told police and were pointing him out to the U.S. Secret Service agents and that he had been on the roof for “three or four minutes” before shots were heard. Other witnesses told CBS Pittsburgh’s KDKA station that they too saw the gunman and attempted to flag officers before the shooting.
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