Law enforcement authorities have revealed the identity of the man who made an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday.
The FBI confirmed that the shooter, who was neutralized within seconds of his action, was 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania.
Records indicate that he graduated in 2022 from Bethel Park High School. However, the motive behind the attack remains unclear.
The gunman was swiftly “neutralized” by the Secret Service, according to chief of communications Anthony Guglielmi. This prompt response likely prevented further chaos and potential harm to the rally attendees.
Bethel Park is a predominantly white, relatively affluent city located in the southern part of greater Pittsburgh. The rally itself took place in Butler, which is approximately an hour’s drive north of Pittsburgh.
Pennsylvania voter records indicate a Thomas Matthew Crooks, matching the same address and birth date, was registered as a Republican. However, it is uncertain when this registration took place and if it had any relevance to the incident.
During a news conference on Saturday night, law enforcement officials stated that the investigation was nearing a positive identification of the shooter.
The shooter did not carry any identification on him, making the process more complex, according to state police Lt. Col. George Bivens.
“The shooter has been tentatively identified,” he said. “It’s a matter of doing biometric confirmations.”
Investigators are prioritizing uncovering the motive behind the attack and determining if the shooter had any accomplices.
Authorities emphasized the importance of understanding the circumstances and background of the assailant to prevent similar incidents in the future.