Law enforcement on Sunday blocked off a street in Bethel Park, Pa., that they said was the home of former President Donald Trump’s suspected shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks.
Joshua A. Bickel/AP
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Joshua A. Bickel/AP
The FBI has identified Thomas Matthew Crooks as the man who opened fire on President Donald Trump at a political rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, killing one person.
Trump said a bullet penetrated the upper part of his right ear. Two other people were injured before Secret Service agents killed Crooks.
Investigators believe the suspect’s father purchased the gun used at the rally six months ago, according to a person familiar with the matter who declined to speak publicly. Sources also confirmed that at least one potentially viable explosive device was found in the dead suspect’s vehicle.
Images of the 20-year-old are still emerging. Here’s what we know so far.
Where did Crookes come from?
According to the FBI, the Crooks family lived in Bethel Park, Pa., a middle-class working-class community south of Pittsburgh. Attempts to contact family members listed as residents of the home were unsuccessful.
The community, about 53 miles from the scene of the shooting, was described to NPR reporters as “quiet.”
“People are kind of keeping to themselves. I mean, you say hello to your neighbor,” said Jim Zawojski, a 70-year-old retiree who lives in Bethel Park. But, he added, people are not particularly connected.
Zawojski said he once received mail from the Crooks’ home by mistake, but he never had direct contact with the family, even though he returned the mail to their porch.
“I can’t even tell you what they look like,” he said.
On Sunday, law enforcement blocked the street where Crooks is believed to live to public traffic.
“I’m sure they’re devastated,” Zavojski said, thinking of the Crooks family. [Crooks] Performing. Is he insane? Is he such a staunch Biden supporter that he wants this to happen so badly that he wants to challenge Trump? I couldn’t even guess, but I’m sure they were completely shattered.
Law enforcement officers gather at a campaign rally for Republican presidential candidate and former President Trump on Saturday, July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pennsylvania. The president is in “good condition” in Butler after being shot at rally.
Evan Vucci/AP/Associated Press
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Details starting to take shape
At least one social media account related to Crooks has been confirmed on the group chat app Discord.
A Discord spokesperson said in a statement: “We have discovered an account that appears to be associated with the suspect; the account is rarely used, and we have found no evidence that the account was used to plan this incident, promote violence, or discuss His political views. “Discord strongly condemns violence of any kind, including political violence, and we will continue to coordinate closely with law enforcement. “
According to local news reports, Crook’s name was included in the list of recipients of Bethel Park High School’s 2022 awards and recognition program. He is listed as a recipient of the $500 National Mathematics and Science Initiative Star Award.
Possible motive unclear
Investigators are working to uncover a possible motive for Crooks’ attack.
Pennsylvania voter registration and Federal Election Commission data show that Crooks is a registered Republican but donated $15 in 2021 through the Democratic coalition group ActBlue.
A search of Pennsylvania’s public court records database showed Crooks had no criminal record.
