Trump Rally Shooting Gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks: What We Know

BETHEL PARK, PA — Thomas Matthew Crooks left a key question unanswered on the Butler County rooftop where he was shot to death Saturday by U.S. Secret Service agents while apparently attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump.

Why did he do it?

Authorities on Sunday identified Crooks, 20, of the suburban Pittsburgh neighborhood of Bethel Park as the man who tried to kill Trump shortly after the start of a political rally. Trump suffered a wounded ear in the attack, in which three spectators were shot, one fatally.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro on Sunday identified the dead man as Corey Comperatore, a former fire chief from the area. The identities of two people critically wounded have not been disclosed.

Authorities have not detailed a motive for the shooting, but some details about about Crooks have emerged in the shooting's wake.

Citing law enforcement sources, the Associated Press reported on Sunday that Crooks used a weapon bought by his father, Matthew Crooks at least six months ago and bomb-making materials were found in his vehicle and home.

Allegheny County voter registration records show that Crooks was a Republican. But federal campaign finance records indicate he one donated $15 to the Progressive Turnout Project via the ActBlue Democratic donation platform.

Crooks does not have a criminal record in Pennsylvania and does not turn up in federal court databases.

Crooks lived in a modest three-bedroom, 1,067 square-foot home on Milford Drive owned by his parents, Matthew and Mary Crooks. The home currently has an assessed value of $120,700, according to Allegheny County property records.

Dan Grzybek, a Milford Drive neighbor of the Crooks family, visited the home last year while successfully running for an Allegheny County Council seat.

"I canvassed his parents for my election," he said. "Absolutely surreal."

Crooks graduated in 2022 from the Bethel Park School District, which issued the following statement:

"The school district wishes to express its sincere wishes for a speedy and full recovery for Mr. Trump and for those in attendance at the Saturday event who may have been physically harmed or emotionally impacted by these tragic events. We offer special condolences to the family of at least one attendee who was killed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.

"Our school district will cooperate fully with the active law enforcement investigation surrounding this case, and as such, we are limited in what we can publicly disclose.

"Moving forward, we will work closely with law enforcement investigators and share information as appropriate with respect to school district policies, the active investigation, and law enforcement protocols."

The Associated Press contributed to this story.