FBI agents entered the home of Thomas Crooks in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, after he allegedly attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump during a rally in Butler. Crooks, 20, used an AR-15 to shoot at Trump but missed, hitting three other victims, one of whom died. The FBI is investigating the incident as a potential case of domestic terrorism and is still in the early stages of the investigation.
The FBI has conducted nearly 100 interviews with law enforcement personnel, event attendees, and witnesses, and their work is ongoing. They have gained access to Crooks’ phone and are analyzing his electronic devices. The investigation aims to determine the motive behind the assassination attempt and identify any potential associates involved.
Crooks, a former high school student in Bethel Park, graduated in 2022 and received a $500 award for his achievements in math and science. He was also a registered Republican but donated money to a Democratic PAC in 2021. Crooks was a member of the Clairton Sportsmen’s Club and had been for at least a year. The club expressed condolences to the victims and their families and is cooperating with law enforcement in the investigation.
During the rally in Butler, Crooks fired shots from the rooftop of a barn about 160 yards away from where Trump was speaking. He killed Corey Comperatore, a former fire chief, and injured two others, David Dutch and James Copenhaver. Crooks was shot and killed by Secret Service agents in response to his actions.
The FBI is urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward and provide tips. They can do so by visiting FBI.gov/butler or calling 1-800-CALL-FBI. The investigation is ongoing, and federal authorities are dedicated to finding out the full extent of Crooks’ motives and potential connections.
The community in Bethel Park and surrounding areas has been shocked by the events and is coming together to support the victims and their families. The FBI is working tirelessly to ensure that justice is served and that a thorough investigation is conducted to prevent similar incidents in the future.