KILLER UNMASKED
Donald Trump gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, is pictured after trying to assassinate former president at rally
The sniper had positioned himself just feet away from the former president
NEW images of Donald Trump's attempted assassin have surfaced, showing the gunman at his high school graduation two years ago.
Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, was "neutralized" by Secret Service snipers shortly after opening fire at a campaign event in Pennsylvania on Saturday.
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His dad, Matthew Crooks, told CNN today that he is trying to figure out “what the hell is going on.”
Crooks added that he plans to “wait until I talk to law enforcement” before speaking publicly about his son.
Crooks, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, graduated from Bethel High School in 2022, where he received a “star award” of $500 from the National Math and Science Initiative.
Images of the then-18-year-old have since surfaced from the graduation, showing him smiling in a black cap and gown.
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Crooks can be seen wearing a pair of glasses and a multi-colored tie.
In the photos, Crooks is collecting his diploma on a stage located on what appears to be in the middle of a football field.
Crooks also appeared to be featured in a video ad filmed at Bethel Park High School for BlackRock.
In the short clip, Crook appears to be sitting at a table in a classroom along side several of his peers.
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On Sunday is was also revealed that Crooks had explosive devices in his car, according to investigating officials.
The car was found parked near the Butler rally after cops received many reports of suspicious packages around the vehicle, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Investigators also reportedly found bomb-making materials at his home.
NEW DETAILS ON GUNMAN
The images come as more details have emerged about the young shooter's political beliefs - revealing him to be a registered Republican.
Crooks, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, perched on top of a manufacturing plant roughly 200 feet from the Republican crowd.
Donald Trump rushed off stage as gunshots fired at Pennsylvania rally
Shocking video captured the moment he fired some five gunshots at the former president, wounding him, killing someone in the audience, and seriously injuring two others.
He was later shot dead by snipers who returned the gunfire from the roof of another building nearby.
The FBI said Crooks did not have any ID on him at the time, with officials identifying him through his DNA.
Pictures showed armed cops standing over his body on the roof, with an AR-15 reportedly recovered nearby.
What we know about the Trump rally shooter
Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, was identified as the gunman who opened fire during a Trump campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on Saturday, killing one person and injuring three others including the former president.
- Crooks graduated from Bethel Park High School in 2022
- He received a "star award" of $500 from the National Math and Science Initiative at his graduation
- Classmates of his have claimed he was bullied in school and often wore "hunting" clothing to class
- Others revealed that he never "outwardly spoke" about political views in school
- Some classmates said Crooks had a few friends, but not a large friend group
- He was registered as Republican in Pennsylvania and last voted in November, 2022 during the midterms.
- In January 2021, Crooks made a $15 donation to Democratic action group ActBlue.
- He was reportedly seen acting "suspiciously" before the assassination.
- The gun used in the shooting was legally purchased by his father at least six months ago.
- Explosives and bomb making materials were found in his home and car parked near the Trump rally
- Crooks was shot and killed by Secret Service snipers on a nearby roof shortly after he opened fire at the rally
- Photos appear to show Crooks wearing gray camouflaged clothing at the time of the shooting
Investigators reportedly believe that the weapon recovered appeared to have been purchased recently.
Law enforcement officials told The Associated Press that investigators believe the gun was purchased by Crooks father at least six months ago.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives reportedly conducted an urgent trace on the weapon and discovered it was legally purchased, law enforcement sources told Good Morning America.
While a motive behind the shocking shooting has not yet been released, state and federal records provide some insight into his political beliefs.
The Pennsylvania native was registered as a Republican in the state and last voted during the midterms in November, 2022.
At just 20-years-old, Crooks had not previously voted in a Presidential election, making this year's the first he would have been able to cast a vote in.
It has also been revealed that he made a $15 donation to Democratic action group ActBlue at age 17, Reuters reports.
The donation was made on January 20, 2021, the same day President Joe Biden was inaugurated.
REMEMBERED BY CLASSMATES
On Sunday, former classmates of Crooks spoke out and revealed that he was bullied while in school, according to CBS affiliate KDKA.
The former classmates told the outlet that Crooks was also often seen wearing "hunting" clothing to class.
Jason Kohler, 21, described his former classmate as a "loner," according to NBC News.
Michael Dudjak, 20, also went to school with Crooks and said he was someone that was "on his own a lot."
The Bethel Park High School alumni said they did not recall if Crooks was very outspoken about his political beliefs.
Dudjak said he and other former classmates have been left shocked by the news.
"It's definitely terrifying for someone you went to school with to commit such a heinous act ... that's the craziest thing about it when it entered my brain," Dudjak told NBC News.
"You were in the same class as this person two years ago."
Sarah D'Angelo, who also attended Bethel Park High, told the Wall St. Journal that she also did not remember Crooks "outwardly" speaking about politics.
"He never outwardly spoke about his political views or how much he hated Trump or anything," she told the outlet.
She revealed he had a few friends but wasn't apart of a "whole friend group.
D'Angelo said she remembered how he would play games on his laptop before classes began.
TRUMP'S CALL FOR UNITY
Trump released a second statement to his social media platform, Truth Social, on Sunday.
He again thanked people for their thoughts and prayers and said "God alone" prevented "the unthinkable" from happening.
He wrote: "We will FEAR NOT, but instead remain resilient in our Faith and Defiant in the face of Wickedness."
He later added, "In this moment, it is more important than ever that we stand United, and show our True Character as Americans, remaining Strong and Determined, and not allowing Evil to Win."
A large crowd at the Butler Farm Show grounds saw Trump grab the side of his face before collapsing to the ground after the shooting.
Blood was smeared across his ear as he rose from behind the podium and waved his fist in solidarity with the crowd.
A hoard of Secret Service agents rapidly closed in on the former president and whisked him away to safety as he mouthed "Fight, Fight, Fight!"
What we know so far:
- A shooter opened fire at a Donald Trump rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday evening, killing one, critically injuring two others, and wounding the former President
- Dramatic footage showed the moment Trump dived behind his podium as Secret Service agents closed in
- The FBI confirmed it was an assassination attempt, but said there was no prior threat
- Trump broke his silence with a statement describing the shooting - after a bullet struck his ear and left blood pouring down the side of his face
- A hot microphone captured the moment Secret Service agents screamed "Get down!"
- The shooter - identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks - was shot dead by Secret Service agents at the scene
- A witness claims he warned police about a man with a rifle on a nearby roof minutes before the attack
- President Joe Biden dubbed the shooting "sick," and has suspended campaigning for the next two days
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A spokesperson for the former president released a statement Saturday: "President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act.
"He is fine and being checked out at a local medical facility. More details will follow."
HORROR SHOOTING
Bethel Park, where Crooks is from, is located about 40 miles south of where Saturday's rally was held in Butler.
The airspace over the area was shut down "immediately" for security reasons after the horror shooting.
The FBI earlier confirmed in a statement: "The FBI has identified Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, as the subject involved in the assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump on 13 July, in Butler, Pennsylvania.
"This remains an active and ongoing investigation."
Anthony Guglielmi, chief of comms for the bureau, confirmed that Crooks was "neutralised" by Secret Service agents on the scene.
Possible photos of Crooks on a roof at the rally show him wearing a merchandise T-shirt linked to a YouTube channel devoted to guns.
Verified by NBC, the pictures show him bleeding and surrounded by security agents.
Lettering on the shirt appears to match a top still for sale on the website of firearms YouTube channel Demolition Ranch.
CHAOTIC SCENES
Chaos erupted shortly after 6pm on Saturday when Trump took to the stage to address Republican voters.
Minutes later, bullets could be heard ringing out, with Trump seen hitting the deck as security personnel swarmed.
Astounding images from the scene showed agents covering Trump as he hit the deck, before rushing him into a car and whisking him away.
People screamed "Get down!" and supporters could be seen cowering in the stands.
Some stood up and cheered alongside Trump as he pumped his fist into the air and mouthed "Fight, Fight, Fight!" moments after the shooting.
Other pictures showed Secret Service snipers on a roof nearby - poised to fire back after shots rang out.
The last time something similarly shocking happened in the US was when President Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981 in Washington DC.
Heading for his limousine, the President was struck by shooter John Hinckley Junior and injured in the armpit.
He was seriously injured but stabilised in hospital.
Trump, expected to be selected as the Republican nominee for the 2024 election next week, later said he felt a bullet rip through his skin as it pierced the upper part of his right ear.
A NARROW MISS
A shocked eyewitness described the moment he saw the attempted assassination on Trump - claiming he'd told Secret Service agents about someone with a rifle on a roof nearby.
Greg told the BBC he warned cops "three or four minutes" before the bullets rang out, which narrowly missed Trump's head and killed someone in the audience.
Another witness at the scene, an emergency room doctor in attendance at the rally, told how he performed CPR on a member of the crowd.
A cop also saw the shooter before he shot at the former president.
He approached Crook, but when he pointed his rifle at him, the cop quickly descended the roof and didn't engage.
Trump thanked law enforcement for their swift response to the gunfire, offering his condolences to the families of those affected.
"I want to thank The United States Secret Service, and all of Law Enforcement for their rapid response on the shooting that just took place in Butler, Pennsylvania," Trump wrote on Truth Social hours after the shooting.
"Most importantly, I want to extend my condolences to the family of the person at the Rally who was killed, and also to the family of another person that was badly injured.
"It is incredible that such an act can take place in our Country. Nothing is known at this time about the shooter, who is now dead.
"I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear. I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin.
"Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening. GOD BLESS AMERICA!"
Both Republicans and Democrats have condemned the brutal attack, with President Joe Biden calling the heinous crime "sick."
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"There is no place in America for this type of violence," the president said.
He added that he was relieved Donald Trump is "doing well."
Donald Trump Rally Shooting Timeline
Donald Trump was shot at his Pennsylvania rally on July 13.
1pm: Doors open at the Butler Farm Show grounds where Trump was expected to speak at 5pm.
4:11pm: Sean Parnell gave the opening speech.
4:35pm: David McCormick rallied the crowd.
5:30pm: Crowds were still waiting for Trump.
6:03pm: Trump takes the stage.
6:11pm: Gunshots were fired as Trump delivered remarks.
6:12pm: Trump was ushered off stage by Secret Service agents.
6:42pm: Secret Service confirmed Trump is safe.
7:24pm: The shooter and one rally attendee are confirmed dead by law enforcement officials.
8:42pm: Trump confirms he was shot in the ear, sharing a statement on Truth Social.
8:49pm: The Secret Service confirms the shooter and a rally attendee are dead. Two others remain critically injured.
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Donald Trump Rally Shooting Reaction
Dozens of politicians and celebrities have offered their support for the former president after he was reportedly grazed by gunfire at his Pennsylvania rally on July 13.
President Biden held a brief press conference just after 8 pm ET. He said he was hoping to speak to Trump.
"Look, there's no place in America for this kind of violence. It's sick," the president continued. "We cannot condone this."
Vice President Harris said she was "relieved" Trump was not seriously injured.
"Violence such as this has no place in our nation," she continued.
Former President Obama said on X: "There is absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy.
"Although we don’t yet know exactly what happened, we should all be relieved that former President Trump wasn’t seriously hurt, and use this moment to recommit ourselves to civility and respect in our politics. Michelle and I are wishing him a quick recovery.
Donald Trump, Jr shared a photo of his father raising a fist moments after he was shot with the caption: "He'll never stop fighting to Save America."
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr said: "Now is the time for every American who loves our country to step back from the division, renounce all violence, and unite in prayer for President Trump and his family."
Tesla CEO Elon Musk said: "I fully endorse President Trump and hope for his rapid recovery."
Britain's new Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer took to X to say: "I am appalled by the shocking scenes at President Trump's rally and we send him and his family our best wishes.
"Political violence in any form has no place in our societies and my thoughts are with all the victims of this attack."
Reform leader and newly elected MP Nigel Farage said it is a "miracle" that his friend is still alive.
Farage told Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips: "I was very upset when I heard the news late last night, Donald Trump survived by a miracle, frankly.
"But one innocent man is dead, two are fighting for their lives in hospital. It's horrible, and yet somehow not surprising."
Former PM Boris Johnson also gave his condolences to Trump and his family as he said it shows "the tragic fragility of democracy in the face of violence and unreason".
Ukrainian PM Volodymyr Zelensky, who has been a target for assassins in the past, also said he was "appalled" by the events in the US.
"Such violence has no justification and no place anywhere in the world. Never should violence prevail," he said on X.
"I extend my wishes for strength to everyone who is horrified by this event. I wish America emerges stronger from this."