The whole world has been in shock since the attempted assassination of Donald Trump, who is currently fighting to get back into the White House. At an election rally in the state of Pennsylvania, the former POTUS narrowly missed a gunshot to the head—his life was saved when he did this one specific move.
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The Republican was hit in the ear, but unfortunately an audience member died. Two others were injured.
The shooter was also shot dead by the Secret Service right after he pulled the trigger on the politician. While Trump himself is back to campaigning, more details about this assassination and the assassin has been coming to light.
The shooter has been identified by the FBI as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks.
Crooks' motive is unclear
It has been a few days since the incident occurred, but investigators are still looking for a motive for the crime. As reported by Sky News, the FBI reportedly interviewed over 200 people and also went through Crooks' mobile phone. They have not found any 'established motive or foreign connection' yet.
A few weeks prior to the rally, security had been ramped up for the former POTUS after US intelligence agencies got a tip that there was an Iranian plot to kill Trump. However, Thomas Crooks has not been linked to this plot.
To make matters more complicated, Crooks did not have a social media presence and also used encrypted communication.
Another factor that is currently obscure is Crook's political orientation. He was registered as a Republican voter, but is said to have recently donated money to political groups with connections to the Democrats. According to Forbes, the shooter however comes from a Republican family as his dad, Matthew Crooks was listed as a 'strong Republican', 'gun owner', and hunter' in a Trump campaign database. The AR-15 semi-automatic rifle that he had used legally belonged to his father.
In the week following the attempted assassination, it was revealed that the shooter was also found with a remote fireworks detonator when he was shot dead. However, authorities believe that it was probably not intended to cause a significant explosion.
On 18 July, more information came out about the shooter. In turns out that when investigators were looking through his online activity, they saw that he had searched for several high-profile personalities. His search included a member of the British Royal Family, and for now that person has not been named.
Neighbors describe him as 'quiet' and reserved
While his motive remains unclear, the media have learned a lot about Crook's personality since his identity was publicised.
In Bethel-Parks, his home town, and in the care home where he worked, people seemed to be shocked by the crime and especially by the news that Crooks was the perpetrator.
Neighbours and former classmates have described the 20-year-old as 'quiet' and reserved. It has been reported that he did get bullied in school and was a 'loner'. A former classmate said:
He was an odd kid, but nothing about him seemed dangerous.
Just a normal person who seemed like he didn't like talking to people.
Crooks had a reputation for having a 'poor shot' after he got rejected from his school's rifle team. A few days prior to the shooting, Sky News reports that he did get into a local shooting club.
Prior to the shooting, Crooks took the day off from working in the nursing home and allegedly told his boss that he 'had something to do'. CNN reported on 17 July that he was expected to be back the next day as he told his coworkers that he would be working on Sunday 14 July.
This article has been adapted from Gentside DE.
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Sources used:
USA Today News: Nursing aide turned sniper: Thomas Crooks' mysterious plot to kill Trump
Tagesschau: After the shooting of former US President What is known about the assassination attempt on Trump
ZDF heute: Assassination attempt on Donald Trump: Who was the alleged Trump shooter Crooks?
Sky News: Thomas Crooks: Fireworks detonator found with Trump gunman after snipers shot him dead
CNN: Trump shooter requested Saturday off from work and told colleagues he’d be back at work Sunday, officials say
Forbes: Father Of Suspected Trump Gunman Was Profiled As Pro-Gun Voter By Trump Campaign: What We Know About Thomas Matthew Crooks
