Key insights and updates on the Trump Rally Shootout

The FBI has identified the gunman in the Trump rally shooting as Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old from Pennsylvania. During the Saturday night campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, Crooks attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump but was killed by a Secret Service sniper. Tragically, Pennsylvania firefighter Corey Comperatore lost his life in the incident, and two other men are currently in critical condition. The rally, which quickly descended into chaos, has sparked significant security concerns and a thorough investigation is underway to determine Crooks’ motives and any potential accomplices involved in the assassination attempt.

Who was the shooter?

The FBI has identified Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, as the individual involved in the July 13 assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania.

Federal investigators faced a challenge as the gunman in the Trump rally shooting was not carrying any identification. To ascertain his identity, they turned to DNA analysis for biometric confirmation. Bethel Park School District confirmed that Crooks graduated from Bethel Park High School in 2022. In response to the tragic events, school officials expressed their willingness to cooperate fully with law enforcement in the ongoing investigation. 

The shooting at the rally, which took the life of firefighter Corey Comperatore and left two other men critically injured, has sent shockwaves through both Butler and Bethel Park. The incident has raised significant concerns about security at political events and has left the local community grappling with the revelation that one of their own was behind such a violent act. As investigators delve deeper into Crooks’ background and motives, the towns of Bethel Park and Butler are united in mourning and a shared resolve to understand and prevent such tragedies in the future.

The motive:

 FBI Pittsburgh special agent in charge Kevin Rojek said that they do not have any identified motive yet. On Sunday morning, a law enforcement official reported that Thomas Crooks was not previously on their radar and had no known connections to foreign terrorism. Despite this, authorities are continuing their investigation into his background and motives. The official emphasised that the inquiry is ongoing to uncover any potential links or underlying factors that may have led to the assassination attempt. Crooks’ actions have prompted a thorough review to ensure no details are overlooked in understanding this incident.Officials confirmed Crooks had no military connections. 

His political views remain unclear; while he was registered as a Republican in Pennsylvania, he had once donated $15 to a Democratic-aligned group. The Secret Service and FBI are probing his background and interviewing his family. The FBI has secured Crooks’ home, and federal agents are searching his family’s residence in suburban Pittsburgh.

Weapon used: 

Multiple law enforcement sources revealed the gunman used a semi automatic AR-style rifle, with the ATF currently tracing the weapon. Two sources confirmed to CBS News that the gun was legally purchased by and registered to Thomas Crooks’ father, Matthew Crooks. The shooter fired from the roof of a shed about 400 feet from the rally stage, just outside the cordoned-off area. Suspicious devices were discovered in the gunman’s vehicle, and he had a device capable of triggering them. Bomb technicians were called to secure and investigate these devices, according to a law enforcement source.

Protections for Donald Trump:

In a social media post, Trump revealed that a bullet grazed the upper part of his right ear during the shooting. After being checked at a local hospital, he left under Secret Service protection and flew to New Jersey late Saturday night. Due to Trump’s heavy campaigning as the presumptive nominee, his Secret Service detail has been augmented with additional assets, including more personnel, counter-sniper teams, drones, and robotic dogs. On Saturday, four counter-sniper teams were present. Additionally, Trump’s teleprompter, flag, and podium banners are made of steel for added protection.

U.S. Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi emphasised that the agency has recently enhanced the former President’s security detail and dismissed claims that they denied any request for more security. He stated that the Secret Service takes threats seriously and continually adapts to the dynamic threat environment.

The investigation of the shooting is being led by the FBI. On Sunday, President Biden announced that he has mandated an independent review of the incident. He emphasised the importance of a thorough and impartial examination to ensure all aspects of the case are scrutinised. This independent review aims to provide additional oversight and transparency, complementing the FBI’s efforts to uncover the full circumstances surrounding the assassination attempt. The administration is committed to ensuring justice and preventing future threats.

What did the people witness?

Witnesses at the rally reported seeing a man crawling up a building with a rifle shortly after Trump began speaking. They alerted police and pointed him out to Secret Service agents. The man remained on the roof for several minutes before shots were fired. Other witnesses corroborated these accounts, stating they too tried to notify officers about the gunman prior to the shooting.