- Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, was identified as the shooter in the attempted assassination of Donald Trump.
- Crooks had an interest in chess and coding and recently earned an associate’s degree in engineering science.
- Donald Trump confirmed his attendance at the upcoming Republican National Convention despite the security risk.
Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old man from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, has been identified as the shooter in the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump.
Who was Thomas Matthew Crooks?
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Crooks, who had an interest in chess and coding, recently received an associate’s degree in engineering science, per the New York Times.
High school classmates described him as intelligent but somewhat isolated, with no apparent red flags indicating a propensity for violence.
Crooks worked at a nursing home where staff reported no concerns about his behaviour.
Federal investigators revealed that Crooks used an AR-15 style rifle, purchased by his father, to open fire from a rooftop near Trump’s rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
The FBI is investigating the incident as a possible case of domestic terrorism, noting that Crooks left behind explosive materials in the vehicle he drove to the event.
Despite his actions, Crooks had no known history of mental health issues or prior threats, and he was not on the radar of federal law enforcement.
Trump confirms attendance at RNC despite security risk
Following the attempted assassination, Donald Trump confirmed that he would still attend and speak at the upcoming Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.
Trump called for Americans to “stand united” in the wake of the incident.
In a post on his Truth Social media network, Trump expressed his love for the country and announced his intention to address the nation from Wisconsin.
“I truly love our Country, and love you all, and look forward to speaking to our Great Nation this week from Wisconsin,” he wrote.
The former president was rushed off stage when gunfire erupted at his rally, leaving him with a minor injury to his ear.
Trump’s campaign assured the public that he was “fine” and undergoing medical evaluation.
The shooting resulted in the deaths of Crooks and at least one rally attendee, with others injured.
In his statements, Trump thanked everyone for their thoughts and prayers, attributing his survival to divine intervention.
He emphasised the importance of resilience and faith, urging Americans to remain strong and united against evil.
Trump also extended his prayers for the recovery of the wounded and honoured the memory of the deceased rally attendee.
“We will FEAR NOT, but instead remain resilient in our Faith and Defiant in the face of Wickedness. In this moment, it is more important than ever that we stand United, and show our True Character as Americans, remaining Strong and Determined, and not allowing Evil to Win,” his statement read.
Despite the security risks, Trump is set to deliver a speech and participate in the announcement of his running mate during the convention on Tuesday, 16 July 2024.
The event is expected to be highly charged, given the recent assassination attempt and the ongoing political climate.
The Secret Service and other law enforcement agencies are under scrutiny for the security lapse that allowed the shooter to get so close to the rally.
Investigations are ongoing to determine how Crooks managed to plan and execute the attack without being detected earlier.
