The FBI has identified the shooter responsible for the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania as Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old resident of Bethel Park. Crooks, who was killed by a Secret Service sharpshooter during the incident, leaves behind a community in shock and a motive that remains unclear.
Thomas Matthew Crooks, the young man at the center of this tragic event, was a dietary aide at Bethel Park Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. According to records, he was also a registered Republican, although he had made a $15 donation to the Progressive Turnout Project on Inauguration Day in 2021. Crooks was known to be a member of a local gun club, the Clairton Sportsmen’s Club, which boasts various shooting ranges including a 200-yard rifle range and both indoor and outdoor archery ranges.
The rally, held in Butler, Pennsylvania, became a scene of chaos when Crooks opened fire with a semiautomatic rifle. Authorities reported that he fired eight shots before being neutralized by a Secret Service sharpshooter. In the tragic turn of events, Corey Comperatore, a 50-year-old former chief of the Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Company, was fatally shot. Two other individuals sustained injuries but are currently in stable condition.
Investigators are diligently working to piece together the details of the shooting. They are exploring the possibility that the weapon used by Crooks may have been purchased legally by his father. Additionally, multiple suspicious canisters were discovered in Crooks’ vehicle. Authorities are still determining whether these items were functional incendiary or explosive devices. Despite the intense scrutiny, Crooks’ family has been cooperative with investigators, although his motive for the attack remains elusive.
Crooks had no known affiliation with the U.S. military, as confirmed by the Defense Department. His employer, the Bethel Park Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, expressed shock at his involvement in the shooting, noting that his background check was clean and he had performed his job without any concerns. Marcie Grimm, an administrator at the center, stated that the facility is fully cooperating with law enforcement but declined to comment further.
The community’s reaction to the news of Crooks’ involvement has been one of disbelief and sorrow. The president of the Clairton Sportsmen’s Club, Bill Sellitto, conveyed his horror at the situation, calling it a “terrible thing.” The club issued a statement condemning the violence and offering condolences to the Comperatore family as well as prayers for the injured, including the former president.
Crooks’ background reveals a young man who was familiar to many in Bethel Park. He graduated from Bethel Park High School in 2022, where he was recognized for his achievements in math and science, receiving a National Math & Science Initiative Star Award. Despite these accolades, some of his former classmates described him as a loner who was often bullied. Jason Kohler, a high school classmate, recounted how Crooks was frequently targeted for his appearance and often ate lunch alone. Another classmate, Michael Dudjak, remembered Crooks as a quiet individual who mostly kept to himself and did not appear to be outspoken about politics or active on social media.
The shooting has also stunned Crooks’ neighbors. Andrew Blanco, a resident of the same street, expressed his shock at waking up to the news that his neighbor was responsible for the assassination attempt. Similarly, Dan Grzybek, a Democrat on the Allegheny County Council who lives nearby, noted that no one expected such a violent act from someone in their community. Grzybek recalled meeting Crooks’ parents during his campaign and described the conversation as very pleasant, further underscoring the unexpected nature of Crooks’ actions.
As the investigation continues, the community and the nation remain deeply affected by this act of violence. The tragic event has left many grappling with the senselessness of the incident and searching for answers about what could have driven Thomas Matthew Crooks to such extreme measures.
