Butler, Pennsylvania — , Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump at a rally near Butler, Pennsylvania. Crooks, armed with an AR-15-style rifle, fired shots from a nearby rooftop, wounding Trump in the ear and killing one attendee. Two others were critically injured before Crooks was fatally shot by a Secret Service sniper.
Investigations have revealed that Crooks used they/them pronouns on at least one social media platform, including DeviantArt, where disturbing and violent content linked to him was found. This included graphic and violent artwork reflecting troubling fantasies. These findings contribute to a complex portrait of Crooks, who exhibited a disturbing online presence prior to the attack.
Authorities have been investigating Crooks’ motives, which remain unclear. The FBI described his planning as meticulous, noting online research into assassination techniques and the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in the week before the attack. Evidence indicates he acted alone and was not connected to any known terrorist organizations or military groups