The FBI has identified Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, as the suspect in the recent attempted assassination of former President Donald J. Trump. The investigation is ongoing, with federal authorities continuing to gather details.

Background and Investigation Details

Records show that Crooks was a registered Republican voter in Pennsylvania. Interestingly, federal campaign finance reports reveal that he donated $15 to a progressive political action committee on January 20, 2021, the day President Joe Biden was inaugurated.

Incident Overview

The attempt on Mr. Trump’s life occurred during a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday, resulting in the death of at least one spectator. The Secret Service confirmed that two other spectators were critically injured in the incident in Butler, Pennsylvania. The gunman was killed by responding officers.

Mr. Trump’s Condition and Response

Former President Trump was escorted off the stage with a bleeding ear and was taken to a hospital. He later informed his followers via social media that a bullet had grazed the upper part of his right ear.

President Biden’s Reaction

President Biden condemned the violence, describing it as “sick” in a brief televised statement. The White House confirmed that the president had spoken with Mr. Trump following the incident.

Key Points to Note

Two videos posted on social media, verified by The New York Times, show the suspected shooter lying motionless on a small building’s roof approximately 400 feet from where Mr. Trump was speaking.
The shooting began shortly after Mr. Trump started his speech, discussing border crossing statistics.
The Secret Service reported that the shooter fired multiple shots from an elevated position outside the rally venue.
Authorities recovered an AR-15-style semiautomatic rifle from the deceased gunman. Attendees at Trump rallies typically undergo security screenings, including searches for weapons.
Bipartisan Condemnation

Both Republicans and Democrats swiftly condemned the attack as a politically motivated act of violence. The Republican National Convention, where Mr. Trump is set to be officially nominated as the party’s presidential candidate, will proceed as scheduled in Milwaukee.

President Biden’s Campaign Response

In the wake of the incident, President Biden’s campaign announced a temporary halt to all outbound communications and began working to pull down their television ads. President Biden expressed relief at Mr. Trump’s swift evacuation and reiterated that there is no place for such violence in America.

Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story. Newslink7.com