The identity of the gunman who attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump has been revealed as Thomas Matthew Crooks, and the first photos of him have surfaced. These images show Crooks with a boyish appearance, including a soft smile and glasses, and wearing a t-shirt with the American flag and headshots of the founding fathers. Another photo depicts him in a cap and gown at his high school graduation ceremony in 2022 from Bethel Park High School.
Crooks, who was 20 at the time of his death, was registered as a Republican voter but had also donated $15 to a Democratic political action committee. During Trump’s campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, Crooks was on a rooftop, aiming to fatally shoot the presumptive Republican presidential nominee. Secret Service agents shot and killed Crooks during the attempt.
Trump sustained a gunshot wound to the ear and was quickly rushed to a local hospital for treatment before being released. Three bystanders were also shot, with one killed and two others in critical condition. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, in collaboration with local law enforcement, is investigating the motive behind the shooting.
The incident, captured in a shocking video obtained by TMZ, shows Crooks lying on his belly on the rooftop, aiming his gun at Trump. This tragic event has highlighted the severe security challenges faced during high-profile political events, emphasizing the need for vigilant protection measures.
