Bethel Park, Pennsylvania: An Attempted Assassination Shocks the Nation

Bethel Park, Pennsylvania: An Attempted Assassination Shocks the Nation

In a shocking turn of events, the FBI has identified 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, as the gunman responsible for the attempted assassination of former US President Donald Trump at a campaign rally. The incident unfolded in Butler, Pennsylvania, where Crooks was fatally shot by the Secret Service moments after he allegedly fired shots towards the stage where Trump was delivering his speech on Saturday.

 

The FBI is currently investigating the motive behind the attack, which tragically resulted in the death of one rally attendee and left two others critically injured. Trump himself sustained a gunshot wound to the ear before being swiftly protected by Secret Service agents and transported to a hospital for treatment.

 

Who Was Thomas Matthew Crooks?

Thomas Matthew Crooks resided roughly an hour away from Butler, the scene of the shooting. According to state voter records, Crooks was a registered Republican. The upcoming November 5 election would have marked his first opportunity to vote in a presidential race.

 

Interestingly, at the age of 17, Crooks made a $15 donation to ActBlue, a political action committee supporting left-leaning and Democratic politicians, as revealed by a 2021 Federal Election Commission filing. This donation was designated for the Progressive Turnout Project, a national organization encouraging Democrats to vote. Both ActBlue and the Progressive Turnout Project have not yet responded to requests for comment.

 

Crooks’ father, Matthew Crooks, 53, expressed his confusion and grief over the situation, stating he would wait to speak with law enforcement before making further comments about his son.

 

A Promising Student

Thomas Crooks graduated from Bethel Park High School in 2022, as reported by the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. He was a recipient of a $500 “star award” from the National Math and Science Initiative, highlighting his academic achievements. A graduation ceremony video from 2022, cited by the New York Times, shows Crooks receiving his diploma to applause. In the video, Crooks, wearing glasses and a black graduation gown, is seen posing with a school official. Reuters has not yet verified the authenticity of this footage.

 

The Investigation Unfolds

Law enforcement officials disclosed that Crooks carried no identification at the scene of the shooting, necessitating alternative methods for identification. Kevin Rojek, FBI special agent in charge, mentioned during a press briefing, “We’re looking at photographs right now and we’re trying to run his DNA and get biometric confirmation.”

 

Outside Crooks’ listed residence, USA Today reported the presence of numerous law enforcement vehicles, including agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and a bomb squad. The residence was secured with yellow police caution tape, and an Allegheny County Police vehicle was stationed outside.

 

### Community Reaction

 

The local community has been left in disbelief by the incident. Dan Maloney, a 30-year-old resident, voiced the sentiment of many, saying, “It’s insanity that anyone would do this.”

 

Despite efforts, Reuters has been unable to locate any social media accounts or other online postings by Crooks. Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has not yet commented on whether any accounts related to Crooks have been removed.

 

As the investigation continues, authorities and the public alike are searching for answers in the wake of this unprecedented and tragic event.