Who was Thomas Matthew Crooks? What to know about the suspected Donald Trump shooter
FORMER US President Donald Trump was shot while speaking at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on Saturday, July 13 - leaving him with a bloody face.
Trump was seen clutching his ear after the horror assassination attempt - here's everything we know about the suspected shooter Thomas Matthew Crooks.
What happened to Donald Trump during his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania?
The Republican was delivering a speech to a large crowd in Pennsylvania when he was hit by a sniper's bullet in the ear.
Trump was swiftly bundled to the ground by his Secret Service agents who then led him away to safety.
The ex-president pumped his fist as he was leaving - his face visibly dripping with blood.
Trump took to his personal social media later on to say he was shot and the bullet hit him in the "upper part of my right ear."
What we know so far:
- A shooter opened fire at a Donald Trump rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday evening, killing one, critically injuring two others, and wounding the former President
- Dramatic footage showed the moment Trump dived behind his podium as Secret Service agents closed in
- The FBI confirmed it was an assassination attempt, but said there was no prior threat
- Trump broke his silence with a statement describing the shooting - after a bullet struck his ear and left blood pouring down the side of his face
- A hot microphone captured the moment Secret Service agents screamed "Get down!"
- The shooter - identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks - was shot dead by Secret Service agents at the scene
- A witness claims he warned police about a man with a rifle on a nearby roof minutes before the attack
- President Joe Biden dubbed the shooting "sick," and has suspended campaigning for the next two days. He later called for the country to "unite" as he paid tribute to the rally victim.
He assured his fans and supporters he was "fine".
One audience member was killed in the attack at Butler Farm Show grounds and two others critically injured.
The victims have not yet been identified.
President Biden held a press conference after the incident and called the shooting "sick."
He declared: "There's no place in America for this kind of violence."
The White House said Biden spoke with his political foe after the shooting.
The FBI has now taken over the investigation.
A stunned eyewitness has described the moment he saw the suspected assassin crawl onto a nearby roof clutching a rifle before opening fire.
"We noticed a guy crawling, you know army, bear crawling up the roof of the building 50ft away from us," he said.
"So we are standing there pointing at the guy crawling up the roof, he had a rifle, we could clearly see he had a rifle."
Speaking to the BBC, he added: "I'm standing there pointing at him for two-three minutes, the secret service is looking at us from the top of the barn - I'm pointing at that roof.
"And next thing you know - five shots rang out."
Who was Thomas Matthew Crooks?
Law enforcement named the suspected shooter as Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania.
The 20-year-old was shot dead by counter-sniper officials who fired at him from the roof of another building nearby.
Officers said they are looking into the motive for the shooting but have confirmed it as an assassination attempt on the former President.
Other classmates told that Crooks was a "loner."
Jason Kohler, 21, said the suspected shooter was "bullied so much in school. Michael Dudjak, 20, called him an "outcast" who would "sit alone at lunch."
Photos circulating online of a man believed to be Crooks show him wearing a merchandise T-shirt linked to a YouTube channel devoted to guns called Demolition Ranch.
Verified by NBC, the pictures show him bleeding and surrounded by security agents.
On July 14 it was revealed that Crooks had explosive devices in his car, according to investigating officials.
The car was found parked near the Butler rally after cops received many reports of suspicious packages around the vehicle, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Investigators also reportedly found bomb-making materials at his home.
What did Thomas Matthew Crooks' father say?
Crooks’ father, Matthew Crooks, was asked for a comment by CNN on Saturday night as he said he was still trying to figure out “what the hell is going on."
He told reporters he is going to “wait until I talk to law enforcement” before speaking about his son.
What has Donald Trump said since?
Trump thanked law enforcement for their swift response to the gunfire, offering his condolences to the families of those affected.
He took to Truth Social hours after the shooting to say: "I want to thank The United States Secret Service, and all of Law Enforcement for their rapid response on the shooting that just took place in Butler, Pennsylvania.
"Most importantly, I want to extend my condolences to the family of the person at the Rally who was killed, and also to the family of another person that was badly injured.
"It is incredible that such an act can take place in our Country. Nothing is known at this time about the shooter, who is now dead.
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"I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear. I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin.
"Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening. GOD BLESS AMERICA!"
Donald Trump Rally Shooting Reaction
Dozens of politicians and celebrities have offered their support for the former president after he was reportedly grazed by gunfire at his Pennsylvania rally on July 13.
President Biden held a brief press conference just after 8 pm ET. He said he was hoping to speak to Trump.
"Look, there's no place in America for this kind of violence. It's sick," the president continued. "We cannot condone this."
Vice President Harris said she was "relieved" Trump was not seriously injured.
"Violence such as this has no place in our nation," she continued.
Former President Obama said on X: "There is absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy.
"Although we don’t yet know exactly what happened, we should all be relieved that former President Trump wasn’t seriously hurt, and use this moment to recommit ourselves to civility and respect in our politics. Michelle and I are wishing him a quick recovery.
Donald Trump, Jr shared a photo of his father raising a fist moments after he was shot with the caption: "He'll never stop fighting to Save America."
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr said: "Now is the time for every American who loves our country to step back from the division, renounce all violence, and unite in prayer for President Trump and his family."
Tesla CEO Elon Musk said: "I fully endorse President Trump and hope for his rapid recovery."
Britain's new Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer took to X to say: "I am appalled by the shocking scenes at President Trump's rally and we send him and his family our best wishes.
"Political violence in any form has no place in our societies and my thoughts are with all the victims of this attack."
Reform leader and newly elected MP Nigel Farage said it is a "miracle" that his friend is still alive.
Farage told Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips: "I was very upset when I heard the news late last night, Donald Trump survived by a miracle, frankly.
"But one innocent man is dead, two are fighting for their lives in hospital. It's horrible, and yet somehow not surprising."
Former PM Boris Johnson also gave his condolences to Trump and his family as he said it shows "the tragic fragility of democracy in the face of violence and unreason".
Ukrainian PM Volodymyr Zelensky, who has been a target for assassins in the past, also said he was "appalled" by the events in the US.
"Such violence has no justification and no place anywhere in the world. Never should violence prevail," he said on X.
"I extend my wishes for strength to everyone who is horrified by this event. I wish America emerges stronger from this."