The Trump shooter's motive still a mystery

An intelligent loner who has left very few traces in social media and without strong political convictions. This is how Thomas Matthew Crooks, the 20-year-old who was shot dead by the American security service Secret Service after shooting at the former President of the USA, Donald Trump, is described.

» Published: July 17 2024

The Trump shooter's motive still a mystery
Photo: The Bethel Park School District via AP/TT

An intelligent loner who left very few traces in social media and without strong political convictions. This is how Thomas Matthew Crooks, the 20-year-old who was shot dead by the American security service Secret Service after shooting at the former President of the USA, Donald Trump, is described.

Thomas Matthew Crooks was, according to information to CNN, supposed to have told his boss that he needed to take a day off on Saturday.

I have something important to do, he is supposed to have said and added that he would be back at work the day after.

Those responsible for security at the campaign meeting were made aware that Crooks had brought a rangefinder with him when he entered the area. Rangefinders are used by snipers to estimate distances. Despite this, he was able to get up on the roof and fire several shots before being shot dead.

Many question marks

The USA's federal police, FBI, has cracked Crooks' mobile phone, searched his home, car, and computer without getting closer to any answers to the many questions that still remain after the assassination attempt on Donald Trump on Saturday.

During the search of Crooks' family's house and car, the FBI found materials for manufacturing some kind of bombs.

Except for an account on the chat function Discord, the police have not found any digital footprints after Crooks.

A former employee at the school where Crooks attended said to Reuters, the day after the deed, that Crooks did not stand out politically during his school time.

Something triggered the young guy to drive up to Butler yesterday and do what he did.

No political ideology

According to American media, Crooks was registered as a Republican before the autumn election, but he is also supposed to have donated 15 dollars to the liberal organization Progressive Turnout Project via the Democratic donation platform Actblue.

The FBI is investigating the deed as "potential domestic terrorism", but without finding signs of radicalization or hatred towards Trump or any other political ideological conviction.

Practiced at the shooting range

Crooks had previously, during his school time, tried out for the shooting team, but was considered too bad to be accepted. However, he was a member of a shooting club about two miles from his home. The club's owner tells the news agency AP that they know very little about him and that what happened at the campaign meeting was terrible.

This is not what we stand for, says the shooting club's owner Bill Sellitto.

The shooting club, which has an outdoor range with target distances of up to 170 meters, is strictly controlled. Only members are allowed, reports BBC.

The day before the deed at the campaign meeting, Crooks had practiced at the rifle range, shows federal intelligence information that AP has taken part of.

Tags

TTT
By TT - Translated and adapted by Sweden Herald under license from TT

More news

Genre image
1 MIN READ

USA Considers Recognizing Crimea as Russian in Peace Deal Talks

Senator Van Hollen Criticizes El
2 MIN READ

Senator Van Hollen Criticizes El Salvador's "Margarita-gate" Stunt

Hezbollah Leader Qassem: Group Will
2 MIN READ

Hezbollah Leader Qassem: Group Will Not Disarm Despite Pressures

USA to Relocate 1,000 Troops
1 MIN READ

USA to Relocate 1,000 Troops from Syria in Coming Months

Genre image
1 MIN READ

Congo River Boat Fire Leaves 148 Dead, Over 100 Still Missing

Trump Proposes New Rules for
2 MIN READ

Trump Proposes New Rules for Federal Employees to Enforce His Policies

Kyoto Bus Driver Loses Pension
1 MIN READ

Kyoto Bus Driver Loses Pension After Ticket Theft Ruling

Asean Calls on Myanmar Junta
1 MIN READ

Asean Calls on Myanmar Junta to Honor Ceasefire After Earthquake

Judge Blocks Trump's Plan to
1 MIN READ

Judge Blocks Trump's Plan to Cut CFPB Workforce

Australian Fighter for Ukraine Faces
1 MIN READ

Australian Fighter for Ukraine Faces Mercenary Charges in Luhansk

Venice Doubles Tourist Day-Trip Fee
2 MIN READ

Venice Doubles Tourist Day-Trip Fee for Non-Overnight Visitors

Trials Begin for Nearly 200
2 MIN READ

Trials Begin for Nearly 200 Critics of Turkish Regime Protests

Iran Nuclear Talks in Rome
2 MIN READ

Iran Nuclear Talks in Rome Face Doubts and Threats

Vance Expresses Cautious Optimism on
2 MIN READ

Vance Expresses Cautious Optimism on Ukraine Peace Talks in Europe

Ukraine Receives Remains of Over
1 MIN READ

Ukraine Receives Remains of Over 900 Fallen Soldiers

Veterans and Reservists Rally to
2 MIN READ

Veterans and Reservists Rally to End Gaza Conflict

EU Expansion: Hungary's Block Delays
3 MIN READ

EU Expansion: Hungary's Block Delays Ukraine and Moldova Membership

New Russian Attacks on Ukraine
2 MIN READ

New Russian Attacks on Ukraine Leave 11 Dead, Over 100 Injured

China Refutes Claims of Supplying
1 MIN READ

China Refutes Claims of Supplying Weapons to Russia

EU Officials Use Disposable Phones
1 MIN READ

EU Officials Use Disposable Phones for US Trips Over Spy Concerns

Israel's Blockade Leaves Gaza Residents
3 MIN READ

Israel's Blockade Leaves Gaza Residents Facing Severe Hunger Crisis

Israeli Strikes on Gaza Leave
1 MIN READ

Israeli Strikes on Gaza Leave 15 Dead, Including Family in Khan Yunis

US Airstrikes in Yemen Kill
2 MIN READ

US Airstrikes in Yemen Kill 74, Injure 171, Houthi Movement Reports

Trump Plans UK Visit to
1 MIN READ

Trump Plans UK Visit to Meet King Charles This Autumn

Luigi Mangione Faces Federal Murder
1 MIN READ

Luigi Mangione Faces Federal Murder Charges in CEO's Death

Two Killed, Five Injured in
1 MIN READ

Two Killed, Five Injured in Florida State University Shooting

Red Cross Building in Gaza
1 MIN READ

Red Cross Building in Gaza Damaged by Explosion, ICRC Expresses Outrage

Ukraine Talks to Continue in
2 MIN READ

Ukraine Talks to Continue in London Next Week Following Paris Meeting

USA and Ukraine Set to
1 MIN READ

USA and Ukraine Set to Finalize Mineral Agreement Next Thursday

Myanmar Seeks Regional Aid After
1 MIN READ

Myanmar Seeks Regional Aid After Devastating Earthquake

Cable Car Accident in Italy
1 MIN READ

Cable Car Accident in Italy Claims Four Lives Near Naples

Trump Seeks to Narrow Species
1 MIN READ

Trump Seeks to Narrow Species Protection Law, Sparking Criticism

Zelensky Accuses China of Supplying
1 MIN READ

Zelensky Accuses China of Supplying Weapons to Russia

Aid Groups Warn of Imminent
1 MIN READ

Aid Groups Warn of Imminent Collapse in Gaza Due to Blockade

Russia Cautions Germany on Sending
1 MIN READ

Russia Cautions Germany on Sending Taurus Robots to Ukraine

Haiti's Security Crisis Worsens as
1 MIN READ

Haiti's Security Crisis Worsens as Violence Spreads, Warns HRW