Thomas Matthew Crooks
Butler Farm Show grounds, Butler, PA ·
Trump 2024 campaign rally
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Attempted assassination of Donald Trump in Pennsylvania Target
Donald J. Trump
Perpetrator
Full name Thomas Matthew Crooks
Age at time 20
Date of birth 2003-09-20
Gender Male
Race / ethnicity White
Nationality American
Residence Bethel Park, PA
Education Bethel Park High School (2022); Associate degree in engineering science, Community College of Allegheny County (May 2024)
Occupation Dietary aide at Bethel Park Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Center
Political affiliation Registered Republican (registered at 17); previously donated $15 to ActBlue Progressive Turnout Project on day Biden was inaugurated; voting history limited to one primary
Mental health (reported) FBI reported 'no indication of mental health issues'; searched online for information on major depressive disorder days before attack
Prior criminal record None reported
Prior weapons training Member of Clairton Sportsmen's Club; attended shooting range on July 12, 2024, day before attack; tried out for high-school rifle team but was rejected as a poor shot
Online footprint Used VPNs and encryption to mask activity; searches included 'how far was Oswald from Kennedy', Oxford High School shooter Ethan Crumbley, Butler Farm Show ground photos; FBI cited posts reflecting antisemitic and anti-immigration themes and political-violence rhetoric
Family background Both parents worked as licensed professional counsellors; classmates reported he was quiet and bullied in school for his demeanor and clothing
Attempt & outcome
Weapons & equipment DPMS Panther Arms AR-15-style rifle, 16" barrel, 5.56x45mm NATO (purchased from his father)
Rounds fired - perpetrator 8
Rounds fired - law enforcement -
Distance to target 137 m
Trump present Yes
Trump injured Bullet grazed upper right ear
Bystander casualties 1 killed · 2 injured
Law-enforcement casualties 0 killed · 0 injured
Current status Killed on scene
Sentence -
Preparation Registered for rally July 6; same-day searched 'how far was Oswald from Kennedy'; practised at shooting range day before; on the day of the rally bought 50 rounds and a ladder before climbing onto the AGR International building roof
Motive
FBI determined no clear motive after 200+ interviews; one working theory is that Crooks was seeking any high-profile mass-shooting opportunity and the rally's timing simply offered the most accessible target.
Key facts
- Killed Corey Comperatore, a former volunteer fire chief who shielded his family
- Critically wounded two other rally attendees
- Counter-sniper neutralized him 12 seconds after he opened fire
- Researched Oxford High School mass shooter Ethan Crumbley in days before attack
- FBI never recovered a manifesto or written explanation