https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/trump-shooter-1.7263201
Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, killed after former U.S. president shot in the ear
The FBI identified 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, Pa., as the suspect in Saturday's attempted assassination of former U.S. president Donald Trump at a campaign rally.
The suspect was shot and killed by the Secret Service seconds after he allegedly fired shots toward a stage where Trump was speaking in Butler, Pa.
The FBI said it was working to determine a motive for the attack, in which one rally attendee died and two other spectators were critically injured. Trump was shot in the ear.
State voter records show that Crooks was a registered Republican. The upcoming Nov. 5 election would have been the first time he was old enough to vote in a presidential race.
Crooks lived about an hour away from where the shooting took place in Butler. The Federal Aviation Administration said on Sunday that it closed the airspace over Bethel Park, Pa., for "special security reasons."
When Crooks was 17, he made a $15 donation to ActBlue, a political action committee that raises money for left-leaning and Democratic politicians, according to a 2021 Federal Election Commission filing. The donation was earmarked for the Progressive Turnout Project, a national group that rallies Democrats to vote. The groups did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
Crooks's father, Matthew Crooks, 53, told CNN that he was trying to figure out what happened and would wait until he spoke to law enforcement before speaking about his son.
Thomas Crooks graduated in 2022 from Bethel Park High School, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. He received a $500 "star award" from the National Math and Science Initiative, according to the newspaper.
Suspected shooter carried no identification
A 2022 graduation ceremony video cited by the New York Times shows Crooks receiving his high school diploma to some applause. Video from that ceremony posted online shows Crooks with glasses in a black graduation gown and posing with a school official. Reuters could not immediately verify the authenticity of the video.
Law enforcement officials said on Saturday that Crooks carried no identification to the site of the shooting and had to be identified using other methods.
"We're looking at photographs right now and we're trying to run his DNA and get biometric confirmation," Kevin Rojek, FBI special agent in charge, said during a news briefing.
'AR-style' weapon reportedly recovered
Law enforcement vehicles were stationed outside a residence listed at the address on Crooks's voter registration record. Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) were on the scene Sunday and a bomb squad was at the residence, USA Today reported.
A
law enforcement vehicle is seen on Sunday blocking a street in Bethel
Park, Pa., near a residence identified as that of suspected shooter
Thomas Matthew Crooks. (Joshua A. Bickel/The Associated Press)
Law enforcement officials told The Associated Press that bomb-making materials were found inside the vehicle of the suspect and inside his home in Bethel Park, about 85 kilometres south of Trump's campaign stop.
Law enforcement also recovered an "AR-style" rifle at the scene of the attempted assassination, according to a person familiar with the matter who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity to discuss the investigation.
Investigators believe the weapon used in the shooting had been purchased by Crooks's father at least six months ago, the law enforcement officials said.
"It's insanity that anyone would do this," Dan Maloney, a 30-year-old resident from the area, was quoted as saying by USA Today.
Reuters could not immediately identify social media accounts or other online postings by Crooks. Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, did not immediately respond to questions on whether the platforms had removed any accounts related to the suspect.
With files from The Associated Press
https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/trump-campaign-rally-shooting-victim-1.7263348
Trump rally shooting victim was former fire chief who 'dove on his family to protect them'
Corey Comperatore described by colleague as 'true brother of the fire service'
The person who died in a shooting at former U.S. president Donald Trump's rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday was identified as 50-year-old Corey Comperatore, according to his family's posting on Facebook.
"The PA Trump Rally claimed the life of my brother, Corey Comperatore. The hatred for one man took the life of the one man we loved the most," the victim's sister, Dawn Comperatore Schafer, said in the post on Sunday.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro on Sunday also identified Comperatore as the man who was killed at the rally for the presumptive Republican nominee in Butler, Pa.
Comperatore was a former fire chief from the area who loved his family, Shapiro said.
"Corey died a hero. Corey dove on his family to protect them last night," the governor said.
Corey Comperatore, centre, is seen in this undated photo. Comperatore was killed in the Trump rally shooting. (Dawn Comperatore Schafer/Facebook)
Randy Reamer, president of the Buffalo Township volunteer fire company, called Comperatore "a stand-up guy" and "a true brother of the fire service."
He said Comperatore served as chief of the company for about three years but was also a life member, meaning he'd served for more than 20 years.
"Just a great all-around guy, always willing to help someone out," Reamer said of Comperatore, who's survived by his wife and two daughters. "He definitely stood up for what he believed in, never backed down to anyone. He was a really good guy."
U.S. President Joe Biden gave televised remarks following the assassination attempt. He said he's grateful Trump is safe and described what happened as "sick."
Trump was shot in his right ear while speaking at the rally and was immediately shielded by Secret Service agents. Moments later, he got up, pumped his fist in the air and was whisked away to safety.
A local prosecutor said the suspected gunman — identified by the FBI as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, Pa. — was shot and killed by the Secret Service.
Pennsylvania State Police on Sunday identified the two people wounded in the shooting, both of whom were listed in stable condition in hospital. They are 57-year-old David Dutch of New Kensington, Pa., and 74-year-old James Copenhaver of Moon Township, Pa.
With files from The Associated Press
Here's what we know about the suspected Trump rally shooter