Investigation into suspected shooter at Trump rally in Bethel Park lasts 24 hours – WPXI

BETHEL PARK, Pennsylvania – A day after the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, a quiet Bethel Park neighborhood is at the center of a federal investigation.

CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST DETAILS ON THE ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT OF FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP.

“You never expect something like this. Never in your life. It’s not that kind of neighborhood,” said neighbor Stanley Priselac. “(I) got up this morning at about 6:30 and heard he was coming from Bethel Park. Well, you don’t think it’s going to be your backyard or your neighborhood.”

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Priselac couldn’t believe the news that 20-year-old Thomas Crooks, who lives just down the street, was the suspected gunman who targeted him on Saturday during the former president’s campaign rally in Butler.

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“We found out he lived just three houses down the street, and that was a shock to us, a surprising shock. This is not that kind of neighborhood. It’s a quiet little neighborhood,” Priselac said.

According to the FBI, the weapon found next to Crooks’ body was an AR rifle that was apparently purchased by Crooks’ father.

Investigators are still looking into how he got hold of the weapon and whether he practiced using it extensively at a shooting range.

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The FBI informed us that the Crooks family is cooperating with the investigation.

The neighbors feel sorry for them.

“Please don’t blame yourself. It wasn’t your fault,” said neighbor Cindy Angelo.

The rifle, as well as Crooks’ phone and other devices, are being analyzed by agents in Quantico, VA.

Authorities said bomb disposal teams found some suspicious explosive devices in Crooks’ car and at his Bethel Park home, but they were still being investigated.

Channel 11 has learned that Crooks graduated from Bethel Park High School in 2022 and was employed at Bethel Park Skilled Nursing and Rehab.

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In a statement to Channel 11, facility director Marcie Grimm said: “We are shocked and saddened to learn of his involvement as Thomas Matthew Crooks performed his job without concern and his background check was impeccable. We are currently cooperating fully with law enforcement.”

Federal agents are still combing through Crooks’ social media accounts and trying to gain access to his phone.

They also examine his daily activities.

They say it currently does not appear that Crooks has had any previous mental health problems.

The FBI is asking the public for help in this investigation. If you were at the rally and have video or saw anything leading up to this shooting, you are asked to call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or leave a tip at FBI.gov/butler.

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