FBI, Secret Service Investigating Motive Of Trump Shooting Suspect

The FBI and Secret Service on Sunday are investigating the possible motive of the gunman who opened fire during former President Donald Trump's rally, grazing the former president's ear and leaving a bystander dead. 

Snipers "neutralized" suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20 years of age, who was from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, not far from the Butler County site of Trump's rally. 

Trump's ear was grazed, one spectator was killed and two others were critically injured in the shooting, apart from the shooter. Trump is "safe," as the Secret Service confirmed Saturday night, and President Biden is continuing to receive updates from top administration officials. Mr. Biden said in brief remarks Sunday that he has called for an independent review of the security at the rally to assess what took place and has directed the Secret Service to examine security measures for this week's Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.

Mr. Biden also said he would address the nation from the Oval Office Sunday night at 8 p.m. ET.

Law enforcement sources said that bystanders spotted Crooks shortly before the shooting and reported his presence to law enforcement. But officials momentarily lost track of the suspect, and minutes later, Crooks crawled up the side of a shed, "popped up" on the roof, and immediately began shooting, according to officials. The suspect fired 6-8 rounds using an AR-15 style weapon, approximately 400 feet from the podium. 

Suspicious devices were found in the suspect's vehicle, a law enforcement source confirmed Sunday. The FBI and Secret Service are still combing through Crooks's history. 

Trump and Mr. Biden spoke Saturday night in what a White House official called a "good, short and respectful" call. The president addressed the nation in brief remarks from Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, Saturday night before returning to the White House. 

Trump posted on his social media platform, Truth Social, Sunday morning, saying it "was God alone who prevented the unthinkable from happening." 

"We pray for the recovery of those who were wounded, and hold in our hearts the memory of the citizen who was so horribly killed," he wrote. "In this moment, it is more important than ever that we stand United, and show our True Character as Americans, remaining Strong and Determined, and not allowing Evil to Win."

The Republican National Convention is expected to continue as planned in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, this week, under heightened security. 

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On the heels of an apparent attempt to kill him, former President Donald Trump called Sunday for unity and resilience as shocked leaders across the political divide recoiled from the shooting that left him wounded but “fine.”

A former fire chief attending the rally with family was killed, as was the gunman. Two other people were also wounded.

The presumptive Republican presidential nominee said the upper part of his right ear was pierced in the shooting. His aides said he was in “great spirits” and doing well.

“I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin,” he wrote on his social media site. “Much bleeding took place.”

In a subsequent social post Sunday, Trump said “it was God alone who prevented the unthinkable from happening.”

“In this moment, it is more important than ever that we stand United, and show our True Character as Americans, remaining Strong and Determined, and not allowing Evil to Win,” his post said.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro on Sunday identified the rallygoer who was killed as Corey Comperatore, a former fire chief from the area, and said he “died a hero.”

“His wife shared with me that he dove on his family to protect them,” Shapiro said. He declined to discuss the condition of two others who were wounded.

The FBI identified the shooter as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, which is about 50 miles from the scene of the shooting. An FBI official said investigators had not yet determined a motive.

Secret Service agents fatally shot Crooks. The gunman attacked from an elevated position outside the rally venue at a farm show in Butler, the agency said.

One attendee was killed, and two spectators were critically wounded, authorities said. All were identified as men.

Law enforcement officials told The Associated Press that bomb-making materials were found inside the vehicle of the man suspected in the Trump rally shooting. There were also bomb-making materials found at his home. The two officials were not authorized to publicly discuss details of the investigation and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity.

Investigators believe the weapon Crooks used was purchased by his father at least six months ago, the law enforcement officials said. Federal agents were still working to understand when and how his son obtained the gun and to gather additional information about Crooks, according to the officials.

Crooks’ political leanings were not immediately clear. Records show Crooks was registered as a Republican voter in Pennsylvania, but federal campaign finance reports also show he gave $15 to a progressive political action committee on Jan. 20, 2021, the day President Joe Biden was sworn in to office.

Authorities told reporters that Crooks was not carrying identification so they were using DNA and other methods to confirm his identity. Law enforcement recovered an AR-style rifle at the scene, according to a person familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the investigation.

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In a statement, the former president said:

I want to thank the United States Secret Service, and all of the Law Enforcement, for their rapid response on the shooting that just took place in Butler, Pennsylvania. Most importantly I want extend my condolences to the family of the person at the Rally who was killed, and also to the family of another person that was badly injured. It is incredible that such an act can take place in our Country. Nothing is known at this time about the shooter, who is now dead. I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear. I immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin. Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening. GOD BLESS AMERICA. 

President Joe Biden released a statement regarding the shooting at Donald Trump's Pennsylvania Rally:

I have been briefed on the shooting at Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania.  I’m grateful to hear that he’s safe and doing well. I’m praying for him and his family and for all those who were at the rally, as we await further information. Jill and I are grateful to the Secret Service for getting him to safety. There’s no place for this kind of violence in America. We must unite as one nation to condemn it.

Trump was showing off a chart of border crossing numbers when bangs started ringing through the crowd. Trump could be seen reaching with his right hand toward his neck. There appeared to be blood on his face.

The United States Secret Service released a statement regarding the shooting saying:

During former President Trump's campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on the evening of July 13th at approximately 6:15 p.m., a suspected shooter fired multiple shots toward the stage from an elevated position outside of the rally venue. US Secret Service personnel neutralized the shooter, who is now deceased. US Secret Service quickly responded with protective measures and the former president is safe and being evaluated. One spectator was killed, two spectators were critically injured. The incident is currently under investigation and the Secret Service has formally notified the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Trump quickly ducked behind the riser as agents from his protective detail rushed the stage and screams rang out from the crowd. The bangs continued as agents tended to him on stage.

His motorcade quickly left the venue.

A senior government official confirmed to CBS News that the former president was safe.

"We have implemented protective security measures. This is being investigated further," the official said.

Donald Trump Jr. tweeted a photo of the incident and wrote, "He'll never stop fighting to Save America." 

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, considered a possible choice for Trump's running mate, posted on social media, "Please join Kathryn and me in praying for President Trump, his family and everyone attending the rally today."