The FBI has identified Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, as the shooter in the attempted assassination of former US President Donald Trump, according to a statement released today. Crooks, who was from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, was killed by security officials after he allegedly opened fire at the 78-year-old Republican candidate, wounding his ear during the campaign rally.
According to voter records, Crooks was registered as a Republican. The FBI’s statement, quoted by NBC and CBS, confirmed his identity and the nature of the incident.
Law enforcement officials initially withheld the suspect’s identity while they were still investigating the motive behind the shooting. The FBI is treating the case as an assassination attempt on the former president.
Trump sustained an injury to his ear in the attack, which resulted in the death of a bystander and critical injuries to two others. He was quickly escorted off the stage by Secret Service agents, with blood visible on his face.
The gunfire erupted just as Trump began speaking at his final rally before the Republican National Convention, with thousands of his supporters in attendance. The incident was broadcast live on multiple news channels.
In his first statement following the attack, Trump said on his Truth Social site, “I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear. I immediately knew something was wrong as I heard a whizzing sound and felt the bullet ripping through the skin.” He expressed gratitude to the Secret Service and law enforcement for their swift response and lamented the occurrence of such an act in the country.
The shooting took place less than four months before the November 5 presidential election, where Trump is expected to face a rematch with Democratic President Joe Biden.
