FBI Identifies Trump Shooter as Thomas Matthew Crooks

The FBI identified Thomas Matthew Crooks as the now-deceased gunman who attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump.

The Details: Crooks was 20 years old and from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Pittsburgh. Crooks reportedly worked in a kitchen at a local nursing home and had a membership at a local shooting club for at least a year. State records show he was a registered Republican and reportedly donated $15 to the liberal political organization ActBlue in 2021

For Context: Media reports had been circulating that Crooks was the shooter, but the FBI officially identified him as the suspect on Sunday. Crooks was not carrying identification, but the Bureau used DNA and facial recognition methods to identify him.

Key Quotes: FBI special agent Kevin Rojek said in a briefing, “At this time, the information that we have indicates that the shooter acted alone and that there are currently no public safety concerns. At present, we have not identified an ideology associated with the subject, but I want to remind everyone that we’re still very early in this investigation.” Crooks’ father told CNN (Lean Left bias) that he was trying to figure out “what the hell is going on” but would “wait until I talk to law enforcement” before speaking publicly about his son.

How The Media Covered It: Media across the spectrum noted the surprise that struck Bethel Park residents, who, as a consensus described Crooks as “quiet.” Washington Post (Lean Left bias) spoke to several residents for its coverage.