What We Know About President Trump’s Would-Be Assassin
The “would-be assassin was identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks.” He was killed at the scene by Secret Service snipers.
To everyone’s shock and horror, President Trump was nearly assassinated yesterday. The already iconic image of his fist pump and saying “fight! Fight!” are the most quintessentially American things I’ve seen in decades and truly underscore why Trump is so popular with an ever-growing number of Americans.
Here is the, as of this writing, most recent photo of President Trump arriving in New Jersey.
Strong and resilient. He will never stop fighting for America. pic.twitter.com/B9yR3SLQJV
— Margo Martin (@margommartin) July 14, 2024
[NOTE: We will be updating this post as more information about the would-be assassin becomes known]
Donald Trump was seen striding down the steps of his private plane, Trump Force One, in the first image of the former president since a would-be assassin’s bullet nearly took his life.
The former president was flanked by Secret Service as he walked down to the tarmac at Newark Liberty International Airport after midnight — around the same time his would-be assassin was identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks.
. . . . The shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, was killed by Secret Service snipers.
Here is a reported image of the dead suspect.
NEW: Footage from Bethel Park High School's 2022 graduation ceremony shows a 'Thomas Crooks' getting his diploma.
The New York Post is reporting that Thomas Matthew Crooks was the suspect who shot Trump.
Videos are being shared online of a man claiming to be Crooks however the… pic.twitter.com/J7alFfZJk4
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) July 14, 2024
The full text of the above:
NEW: Footage from Bethel Park High School’s 2022 graduation ceremony shows a ‘Thomas Crooks’ getting his diploma.
The New York Post is reporting that Thomas Matthew Crooks was the suspect who shot Trump.
Videos are being shared online of a man claiming to be Crooks however the videos appear to be a troll.
For further clarification, the suspect *is* still being reported as Thomas Matthew Crooks but some images and videos being shared online are *not* the real suspect.
A separate New York Post article has images of police approaching the dead would-be assassin on the roof, along with some graphic video content.
The New York Times has more about this dead . . . um, person.
The gunman who attempted to assassinate former President Donald J. Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday was identified by the F.B.I. as Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old from Bethel Park, Pa., but officials released no additional information about him.
“This remains an active and ongoing investigation,” the F.B.I. said in a statement early Sunday.
The gunman did not have a criminal history reflected in Pennsylvania’s public court records, and officials said they had not identified a motive. A voter-registration record showed that Mr. Crooks was registered as a Republican, though federal campaign-finance records show he donated $15 to the Progressive Turnout Project, a liberal voter turnout group, through the Democratic donation platform ActBlue in January 2021.
. . . . Mr. Crooks was killed after he fired from “an elevated position” outside the outdoor rally venue where Mr. Trump was speaking, according to the Secret Service. Law enforcement officials recovered an AR-15-type semiautomatic rifle near the body of a white man they believe was the gunman, according to two law enforcement officials.
Mr. Crooks appears to have graduated in 2022 from Bethel Park High School, which has about 1,400 students, and received a $500 “star award” that year from the National Math and Science Initiative, according to The Tribune-Review in western Pennsylvania.
In an online recording of the 2022 graduation ceremony, Mr. Crooks can be seen crossing the stage to modest applause after his name is called out, a slender young man with glasses in a black graduation gown who briefly posed with a school official and accepted his diploma.
From the NY Times “live updates” section:
The authorities were racing on Sunday to understand how and why a would-be assassin shot at former President Donald J. Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania, days before his anticipated nomination as the Republican candidate for the 2024 presidential election.
The shocking attack in Butler, Pa., on Saturday killed one spectator at the scene and left two others critically injured, officials said. Mr. Trump had blood on his face as he was escorted from the stage, raising his fist in defiance.
The NY Times continues:
Mr. Trump was rushed to a hospital from the rally, but walked off his plane unaided when it landed in New Jersey early Sunday.
On Sunday morning, questions remained about a motive for the shooting, potential security failures and the Secret Service’s preparations for the rally. The House Committee on Oversight and Accountability said it would be investigating the assassination attempt and had asked Kimberly Cheatle, the director of the Secret Service, to testify at a hearing on July 22.
🚨BREAKING🚨@RepJamesComer has invited U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle to testify at a hearing on Monday, July 22.
Americans demand answers about the assassination attempt of President Trump. pic.twitter.com/zKia2oIxCf
— Oversight Committee (@GOPoversight) July 14, 2024
Trump yelling “Fight. Fight,” after getting grazed by a bullet in the ear, an inch from ending his life.
No panic. No crawling on his knees to safety. The man stands up, faces the crowd, and yells “Fight.”
Historic footage. Just incredible.
— Lomez (@L0m3z) July 13, 2024
God Bless President Trump, and God Bless America.
UPDATES
Per LI commenter Danny, the Daily Wire reports:
Federal Election Commission records show that on January 20, 2021—Biden’s inauguration day—the 20-year old Crooks donated $15 through ActBlue, the progressive donation clearinghouse, to the Progressive Turnout Project, which says it “is dedicated to mobilizing the Democratic party and defending democracy.” In donor records, he listed his occupation as unemployed, and listed the address descended upon by police.
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Comments
Score:
Trump: 1
Leftists: 0
At least the US taxpayers won’t have to pay for 3 hots and a cot while the shooter sits in jail for an attempted assassination.
There’s also no opportunity to interrogate him, convenient.
I agree. But who would “interrogate” him?
The FBLie?
The CIA (Corrupt Intelligence Agency)?
How about local police? Murder is a state crime.
Ironclaw is 100% right, it is a loss that he can’t be interrogated.
This was an assassination attempt so the Feds would run the show.
Here, let me help you during your inability to comprehend what you read.
“I agree.”
Which means that I agree with Ironclaw.
“But who would “interrogate” him?
Which indicates that since this was an assassination attempt on a former president under the protection of a federal agency – Secret Service – as well as a current presidential candidate under the protection of a federal agency – Secret Service – this would be a federal matter, while seeking assistance from local law enforcement.
The FBLie?
The CIA (Corrupt Intelligence Agency)?
Various agencies of the federal government were complicit in the attempts to pull a coup on the president through their lies and manipulation, mainly the Intelligence Community, the FBI, and the parent organization, the DOJ.
So, while it is sad that he can’t be interrogated, there is proof that the outcome of any interrogation would be skewed by the agencies hell bent on Trump not being president again.
Your faith in any American government agency is childish at best.
Whoever got the nod would have to actually do the job with all of the attention on them.
Yeah, well, the Secret Service and police don’t have Star Trek phasers to knock someone out at a hundred yards. Rifle bullets don’t have a “stun” setting. Their first job is to end the threat, not to worry about interrogating the suspect.
It’s not “convenient,” it’s how the world works.
The shooter was active so the first order of engagement is to end the immediate threat and they lit that guy up like a Christmas tree. This isn’t a leftist fantasy where you shoot for the hand or elbow. The guy took a shot at President Trump.
It’s a pattern in assassinations, there’s always another guy to silence the assassin. Do I think the feds were in on it? Let’s just say I wouldn’t rule it out.
First rule of assassinations; Always kill the assassin.
Actually, their first job is to get the protectee the fck out of there. It’s not to engage the shooter because there might be more than one. Get the protectee secure, then deal with the rest.
Different people, different jobs.
this ….
I am mostly thankful this was a fraction of a inch off from being a tragedy, I can only wonder if it’s Divine Intervention.
I still want to know who the woman killed was, another Trump supporter killed for a totally innocent event.
FWIW, when I watched the presser late last night, the PA police official stated all three victims were male. Has that changed overnight?
With respect to Trump’s injuries, there is zero question that absent him turning his head to the left and slightly leaning forward just before the shot rang out, he’s dead right now.
‘turning his head to the RIGHT.’
No, it’s not divine intervention.
Colonel “science” rhhardin hath spoken.
I might wonder but you don’t know it wasn’t
Says the resident idiot satanic worshiper
How do you know?
I don’t wonder if it was Divine intervention…I’m convinced it was.
The Arch Duke had divine intervention too. Until he didn’t. Note the deep state also wanted him to be dead too.
?
The Trump campaign should contrast his security detail compared to Biden’s and let that implication hang. They should also hire their own private security detail and demand that all logistical niceties and permitting be coordinated through secret service. Any foot dragging or opposition should be immediately attacked as a deliberate exposure to lethal threats.
It’s worth publicly pointing out the difference in security arrangements for the two conventions again as well.
Nothing for Kennedy and rebuffed requests for extra coverage for Trump.. it’s as if………
And now for the Unipqrty and Uni-Alphabet Agencies to massage the outcome.
Well, not hard to imagine security will be beefed up for both conventions now. That’s a no duh, the significant difference will be how much it will be needed at each.
It’s been reported that much like RFK, Jr, Trump’s team has been asking for increased security for a couple of months and been refused by Mayorkas.
We’re living a sequel to The Lord of the Flies, in which the children kill the adults who arrive to save them, and continue their war.
THEY ARE ONLY UPSET THAT THEY MISSED!!!
Well many more facts to learn, that we’ll probably never learn (J6 bomber anyone?). I’d actually like to believe the SS are just frigging imbeciles.
DailyWire has found that the assassin donated to Act Blue
https://www.dailywire.com/news/police-ransack-home-of-20-year-old-suspected-shooter-who-donated-to-liberal-org-on-bidens-inauguration-day?topStoryPosition=3
Thanks, Danny, I added it as an update. 🙂
Interesting that there was only a smattering of applause when his name was announced at graduation. His facial features are also….distinct. Not a doctor, but it looks like there could be something going on there, maybe autism spectrum or FASD. Could be nothing…or something.
Both parents are licensed ‘Professional Counselors’ in the state of PA.
https://x.com/SaraGonzalesTX/status/1812485887873196142
Dear God
I’ve seen reporting that the guy in the graduation video is not the same guy but just someone with the same name that kinda looked like him.
I think that was a different video. The video I’m referencing (and which is contained in a X-post from above by Collin Rugg), is clearly the young man. It’s also embedded in one of the several stories from the NY Post this morning. You can hear the master of ceremonies calling out his name just before he walks to the dais and is handed his diploma.
https://nypost.com/2024/07/13/us-news/thomas-matthew-crooks-idd-as-gunman-who-shot-trump-during-pa-rally/
A crap Indian website, but contains purportedly more recent photos, plus some Antifa affiliations.
https://www.caclubindia.com/assets/thomas-crooks/
Why wouldn’t SS clear and secure roof of all nearby buildings??
hmmm…
I’m hoping Trump brings his own detail of actual security professionals with him from here on. Pretty clear the SS can’t defend themselves from crack heads, let alone what is supposed to be the most hardened target in the world.
“asked Kimberly Cheatle, the director of the Secret Service, to testify at a hearing on July 22.”
Does this perhaps explain the 5’1″ chickies on Trump’s detail?
That failure is indeed suspicious.
trump just won the election.
He won the last one too.
agreed.
Yes, he , did !!!!
I’m not putting much stock in the “registered Republican” report. Wouldn’t be the first time a Leftists has “registered Republican” so they can vote in – and try to sabotage – primary elections, or get on mailing lists for intel purposes.
The Leftist donation is a more accurate indicator.
IMO one key is the political affiliations and activities of the parents, as this was not a 20 year old off in college getting influenced who knows how. Did his parents have TDS?
Yes, I do believe Pennsylvania has closed primaries.
Milhouse is a registered Democrat.
Will Biden be visiting NY anytime soon?
We will NEVER know all of the details about the murderer. Note the use of the term “murderer” here, not to be confused with the term “shooter” which is something else entirely.
Think about Nashville and Audrey Elizabeth Hale. She killed 6 people, including three innocent children. And the authorities suppressed the release of information about her (i.e., “manifesto”) because the facts of her heinous crime don’t fit with the transgender narrative.
That was for six people murdered in a medium-sized city.
Do ANY of you think the government will be transparent, open, and honest about this dipsh*t who tried to kill Trump?
If you do, I’ve got some nice beach-front property in The Maldives to sell you.
The correct term is “Assassin”.
The man who was killed yesterday is a retired firefighter, former Chief of the Buffalo Township FD, Corey Comperatore. RIP.
https://www.wpxi.com/news/local/former-fire-chief-shot-killed-trump-rally/HJXCL4CSN5AZJIPZCT6GWFQ4JE/
Thanks, Targa. We’ll have a post on this assassination victim soon.
Who was he? Another weak-minded, head full of mush, idiot brainwashed by all of the hyperbolic coverage from the propagandist media. Do I care about his name? No, curse his name, never speak it again in my presence and may he enjoy the Hell he deserves.
Here are the things I am not hearing.
1: That Trumps entier protective detail has been stood down pending an investigation and replaced for incompetence. If not all then then lead agent, counter sniper team, and advanced team.
2: How a trained counter sniper team missed a guy in urban camo crawling across a bright white roof. Yes there is a “Peak” in the roof but they were already pointed in that direction and he had to break the peak to set up his rifle and take aim.
2a: How did the assassin have time to carry a 12 foot ladder to the building with a rifle, set up a 12 foot ladder, gain the roof, gain his position, set up his rifle, and then fire 10 freaking shots before the “Counter-sniper team” engaged? Also, watch the video of the sniper who shot from the tripod, it looks like the rifle almost knocked him off of the roof. Just love those “seasoned professionals” that the SS.
3: Why no drone coverage?
4: Why was the security cordon so small, it should be out to at least 300 yards. (I don’t actually know anything about SS procedure but that’s only 3 football fields.)
5: Why were the witnesses who reported a man with a rifle ignored?
6: Why was Trump not evacuated the second that a rifle on a roof was reported?
7: Why did it take so long to get Trump off of the stage? It seemed really disorganized and not like something that has been practiced over and over until it is second nature. Even when the order to “move” was given, no one moved and it took seconds more to get trump off the stage.
8: No offense to the Agents but why were 2 5’3″ women on the stage to “cover” a 6’3″ man? Once again I am no personal protection expert, but it looked to me like they couldn’t even pull Trump down to cover him. Just seems like bad use of personnel. Trump was standing for seconds after the 10 shots were heard each one of those seconds is a lifetime.
I know we will never know some of these answers, but still it bothers me that these aren’t major questions that people are screaming to be answered.
All good questions? I also wonder why they even let Trump poke his head up.
Smart who ask the questions already know the answers.
Forget MAGA, hats and T-shirts with the fist pump will be the new trigger. 😉
Which of course means nothing. When will people learn that how a person is registered to vote has no connection to how they actually vote, or how they identify? Some morons here on LI need to learn that too.
In fact there are many groups on the left who encourage their followers to register as Republican so they can screw around with Primaries.
So nobody has asked… exactly who is our Butler-PD-identified “assassin” Mark Violets?
I’m thinking he is being groomed to become John Doe Number 3.
Shooter and Murderer Crooks was just another unemployed Leftist actor
who knew he needed to make his mark in DCHollywood by any means necessary
He spoke with his “agent” ( in his head) and knew this was going to take a self produced made-for-youtube video that would be shared by his fellow leftists in DCHollywood for eons
And knowing how DCHollywood has no time for Pro Lifers
he knew his own imminent death post his actions would make the action even more outstanding to his fellow henchmen
too bad for you Crooks that your posthumous award that lefty will enshrine upon you will be for naught
He’s in Hell watching a videoloop of all the hot-mess crazy white chicks on TikTok calling him a stone loser for blowing the shot.
I have worked with SS counter snipers. (granted 12 years ago)
there is no way in hell
1.he gets on a roof that close
2. he gets a rifle that close
3. he gets off 10 rds b4 he is engaged.
everyone in that detail needs to go back to treasury … not protective detail.
true
but goal is to increase dei agenda
so we have thatttt to look forward to