Thomas Crooks, 20, was identified by the FBI as the gunman who tried to kill Donald Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday.
According to the New York Post, Crooks was a registered Republican voter. He was from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania.
According to the FBI, Crooks was apprehended on July 13 after he tried to assassinate Trump during a rally in Butler.
The agency noted that its investigation is still ongoing. The New York Post reported that Crooks was placed on the roof of an industrial plant, which is about 130 yards away from where Trump was speaking.
The FBI confirmed that the incident was an assassination attempt. Kevin Rojek, the agency’s special agent in charge in Pittsburgh, noted that the incident was still under investigation.
He said the agency did not have a clear motive yet.
George Bivens, the deputy commissioner of Pennsylvania State Police, commended the law enforcers for their heroic efforts in apprehending the gunman.
He also noted that the incident was chaotic.
Although the FBI has identified the gunman, they do not believe there is a credible threat at this time.
In a statement, Trump said he was hit in the upper right ear by a bullet. He said he felt the bullet “ripping through my skin.” The former president added that he immediately realized what was happening after he was hit.
A video that has been shared online shows police officers taking a person off the bleachers near the stage where Trump was addressing his supporters.
A supporter of Trump said he saw a man dressed in tan clothing with a rifle on a building near the area where the rally was being held. After the shooting, he said he saw the man who was killed by the Secret Service.
The man said he saw the man, who was shirtless, crawling on the building’s roof. He pointed his rifle at the man and noted that the law enforcers were running away even though he repeatedly tried to warn them.
He was then confused as to why Trump was still on the stage. He said he saw five shots ring out, and he believed that the shots were fired from the roofs of the buildings.
He also wondered why the Secret Service was not patrolling the area. According to the man, the agency blew the gunman’s head off, and they then shot him. They then made sure that he was dead before placing him on the roof.
Trump said it was over. According to audio from the rally, a guard stated that the shooter was down and that people were allowed to move before he was raised to his feet.