My thoughts are with President Donald Trump, the victim of an assassination attempt. I send him my wishes for a speedy recovery. A spectator has died, several are injured. It is a tragedy for our democracies. France shares the shock and indignation of the American people.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) July 14, 2024
The FBI has identified the gunman involved in the shooting at former US President Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks. Crooks, a resident of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, was killed by Secret Service agents at the scene after firing on Trump from a nearby building rooftop outside the rally’s security perimeter. According to witnesses, the shooting created a chaotic scene, with people attempting to administer first aid to gunfire victims amid the dense crowd.
One rally attendee was killed, and two others are in critical condition. Trump sustained an injury to the upper part of his ear but was otherwise unharmed. He flew back to Newark, New Jersey, late Saturday night.
I am appalled to learn about the shooting of former U.S. President Donald Trump at his rally in Pennsylvania.
Such violence has no justification and no place anywhere in the world. Never should violence prevail.
I am relieved to learn that Donald Trump is now safe and wish him…
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) July 14, 2024
The ongoing investigation involves multiple federal and state bodies.
“Trump Shooting Live: Donald Trump was shot in the ear at a rally, the shooter is dead”
@Reuters
⬇️ https://t.co/JTfuUo6yaC— Jacek Saryusz-Wolski (@JSaryuszWolski) July 14, 2024
The FBI has urged the public to submit any information they have through a tip line or the agency website, including photos or videos of the shooting.
Gunman identified in rally shooting
Sara and I were shocked by the apparent attack on President Trump. We pray for his safety and speedy recovery.
— Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) July 13, 2024
Crooks graduated from Bethel Park High School in 2022 and was registered to vote as a Republican, according to Pennsylvania’s voter database. Federal Election Commission records also show a donation from a person named Thomas Crooks at the same address to the Progressive Turnout Project in January 2021. Crooks’ father, Matthew Crooks, expressed confusion and stated he would wait to speak with law enforcement before commenting on his son.
After being killed, Crooks did not have any identification on his body, so agents had to run his DNA and perform biometric confirmation, according to Kevin Rojek, the special agent in charge of the FBI’s Pittsburgh field office. Despite the incident, Trump appeared to be in great spirits and called for unity among Americans. Speaking shortly after the tragic event, Trump addressed his supporters, focusing on the need for togetherness in these challenging times.
The motive behind the attack remains unclear as investigations continue. This incident has sparked a nationwide conversation on security and the increasing tensions leading up to the November election.
