Attack on Trump in Pennsylvania: new information has emerged about the likely shooter

Attack on Trump in Pennsylvania: new information has emerged about the likely shooter Margarita Voloshina

What is known about the shooter who tried to kill Trump/Channel 24 Collage

Trying to understand the motives of 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, who is suspected of attempting to assassinate Donald Trump, the FBI finds more questions than answers. The investigation is still in the early stages, but investigators have already found additional information about the likely shooter.

American journalists wrote that Crooks shot with roof of a production facility more than 119 meters from the stage where Trump was on. It is interesting that after the assassination attempt, the probable attacker was immediately eliminated.

What is known about the shooter who tried to kill Trump

The Federal Bureau of Investigation said the information it had so far could not explain why Crooks decided to shoot from the roof at the rally. FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbutt told reporters it was unknown whether anyone else knew about his plans.

We have certain limited information about his communication, the last text messages he sent, information about phone calls. But they have not yet revealed anything about the motive for the action or whether anyone else knew about his plans, the official said.

Some speculate that the likely shooter acted himself. Although investigators have not yet been able to crack the password and gain access to his mobile phone, the guy’s activity on social networks does not indicate adherence to any ideology.

Interestingly, the social media platform Discord discovered an account “that appears to be associated with” Crooks and appears to confirm the FBI's findings.

“It was rarely used; it had not been used for months. We found no evidence that the account was used to plan this incident, promote violence, or discuss political views,” a Discord representative confirmed.

At the same time, those who knew Crooks began to release additional information about him. Jason Kohler, who went to school with him, told reporters that as a child Crooks was a solitary child and a victim of bullying by his peers.

Kohler said he never interacted with Crooks, who was sitting by himself during lunch, often being teased for wearing hunting gear or continuing to wear a mask after quarantine ended.

Crooks will graduate from Bethel Park High School in 2022, according to a statement from the school district to local media. He was then given a $500 reward for his achievements in math and science.

This is only part of the picture that begins to take shape about Crooks. Law enforcement officials wrote that they found a simple bomb in Crooks' car and home and that the AR-style rifle he used in the shooting was purchased by his father.

FBI officials also stated that prior to the murder attempt, Crooks had never come to the attention of law enforcement. The alleged attacker had no criminal record and was a registered Republican, like Trump.

Officials also said they had not yet found any indication that Crooks suffered from mental health problems. According to the American press, at the time of the assassination attempt he was wearing a T-shirt with the logo of Demolition Ranch, a YouTube channel that publishes videos with weapons and explosive devices.