Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, completed his high school education in 2022.
The FBI has identified Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, as the individual responsible for the assassination attempt on former President Trump during a campaign event in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday.
Crooks allegedly fired at Trump from a rooftop around 130 yards away during a rally, hitting the upper part of Trump’s right ear while he was addressing the crowd in anticipation of the upcoming Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.
The incident resulted in the death of Corey Comperatore, 50, a former fire chief of Buffalo Township, and injuries to two others, David Dutch, 57, and James Copenhaver, 74, as confirmed by Pennsylvania State Police.
The FBI reported that Crooks was fatally shot.
“The FBI has identified Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, as the suspect involved in the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump on July 13, in Butler, Pennsylvania,” the FBI stated. “This remains an active and ongoing investigation.”
Crooks resided in Bethel Park, a suburb of Pittsburgh located about an hour south of Butler, where the assassination attempt occurred.
Further investigation revealed that Crooks was a member of the Clairton Sportsmen’s Club for at least a year, according to a statement from the club’s attorney, Rob Bootay.
A 2022 graduate of Bethel Park High School, Crooks was among nearly two dozen students from his school to receive a $500 “star award” from the National Math and Science Initiative.
An online recording of his graduation ceremony shows him receiving minimal applause as he walked the stage and posed briefly with a school official, according to the New York Times.
Crooks would have turned 21 in September. He had no criminal or traffic citations, nor any bankruptcies, liens, or foreclosures on record.
Although registered as a Republican, voting records indicate that Crooks only participated in the state election on November 8, 2022, due to his age. He made a $15 donation to the Progressive Turnout Project, a Chicago-based political action committee supporting Democratic candidates and advocating for key Democratic constituencies, including young people, minorities, and low-income individuals.
The FBI is continuing its investigation into Crooks and any other relevant information.
“This remains an active and ongoing investigation, and anyone with information that may assist with the investigation is encouraged to submit photos or videos online at FBI.gov/butler or call 1-800-CALL-FBI,” the statement added.