FBI identifies Trump shooter as investigation continues | National

(The Center Square) – The FBI early Sunday identified the person who attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania.

“The FBI has identified Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, as the perpetrator involved in the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump on July 13 in Butler, Pennsylvania,” the FBI said in a statement, Fox News reported.

“The investigation is ongoing and ongoing. Anyone with information that may assist in the investigation is asked to submit photos or videos online at FBI.gov/butler or call 1-800-CALL-FBI.”

Before the FBI’s announcement, Lieutenant Colonel George Bivens of the Pennsylvania State Police said the attacker opened fire about 10 to 15 minutes after Trump took the stage at the Butler Farm Show Grounds in Pennsylvania, grazing Trump’s ear before Secret Service agents surrounded the former president and escorted him off the stage.

One victim died at the scene of the accident and two others were seriously injured, Bivens added.

“Law enforcement acted heroically,” he said, noting that they worked “quickly” to “neutralize the threat.”

Law enforcement officials said they were still investigating the motive.

Bivens also declined to say what weapon the shooter used, although eyewitnesses described seeing a man crawling across a roof with a rifle in his hand.

The FBI also dodged reporters’ questions about the security measures the U.S. Secret Service took to secure the area before the rally began. Bivens said the gunman fired from a rooftop outside that area, but declined to provide further details.