By Ologeh Joseph Chibu
Thomas Matthew Crooks has been identified as the assailant who targeted former President Donald Trump during a rally in Pennsylvania.
Crooks, aged 20 and hailing from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, allegedly fired shots at Trump with an AR-15 before being fatally shot himself.
The incident occurred during a campaign event in Butler, Pennsylvania, where Trump, a candidate in the upcoming presidential election, was quickly evacuated by Secret Service agents after shots were fired from an elevated position outside the venue. Two bystanders were critically injured during the exchange of gunfire, while the shooter, identified as Crooks, was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to reports, Crooks, a graduate of Bethel Park High School, had no identification on him at the time of the incident, necessitating DNA confirmation for identification. Investigations are ongoing, with authorities urging anyone with relevant information to come forward.
Crooks’ father, Matthew Crooks, expressed shock and confusion over the events, stating he awaited further details from law enforcement. Meanwhile, neighbors described a community unsettled by the incident, emphasizing concerns about safety and the unexpected violence.