The FBI and Secret Service are investigating Sunday the possible motive of the shooter who opened fire at former President Donald Trump’s rally, brushing the former president’s ear and leaving a passerby dead.
Snipers “neutralized” suspect Thomas Matthew Crookswho was from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, not far from the site of Trump’s rally in Butler County.
Trump’s ear was grazed, a bystander was killed and two others were seriously injured in the shooting, in addition to the shooter. Trump is “safe and sound,” the Secret Service confirmed Saturday night, and President Biden continues to receive updates from senior administration officials.
According to police sources, passersby spotted Crooks shortly before the incident began and reported his presence to law enforcement. Authorities momentarily lost track of the suspect. Minutes later, he crawled around the side of the hangar, “appeared” on the roof and immediately began shooting, authorities said. The suspect fired six to eight rounds from an AR-15-style weapon about 400 feet from the podium.
Suspicious devices were found in the suspect’s vehicle, a law enforcement source confirmed Sunday. The FBI and Secret Service continue to comb through Crooks’ case. The Pentagon said Sunday morning that Crooks has no military history.
Trump and Mr. Biden spoke Saturday night in what a White House official called a “nice, short, respectful” call. The president addressed the nation in brief remarks from Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, Saturday night before returning to the White House late Saturday night.
Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, on Sunday morning, declaring that “it was God alone who prevented the unthinkable from happening.”
“We pray for the recovery of those who were injured and hold in our hearts the memory of the citizen who was so horribly killed,” he wrote. “At this time, it is more important than ever that we stand united and show our true character as Americans, by remaining strong and determined and not allowing evil to win.”
The Republican National Convention is expected to continue as scheduled in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, this week, albeit under even tighter security.
