Thomas Matthew Crooks, Donald Trump’s would-be assassin, planted explosives in the car he drove to the Pennsylvania rally and used a firearm his father had purchased.
Authorities found the “explosives” in the 20-year-old’s vehicle and home after Secret Service agents shot him dead seconds after he opened fire on the former president. the Wall Street Journal reported.
Matthew Crooks, 53, legally purchased the AR-15 his son used to try to assassinate Trump on Saturday.
Thomas Crooks killed a rally attendee, now known to be Corey Comperatore, and seriously injured two others who are being treated at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh while trying to take out Trump.
The former president was hit in the right ear by a bullet, but his campaign team says he is otherwise “fine.”
Yearbook images have emerged of Thomas Matthew Crooks, the 20-year-old gunman who opened fire on former President Donald Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday, a resident confirmed the identity to DailyMail.com
Crooks, who graduated from high school just two years ago, parked his car near the site of the rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, climbed onto the roof of a nearby industrial building and took aim at Trump.
According to authorities, police sent bomb squad experts to the scene after receiving multiple reports of suspicious packages near where the gunman had parked his car.
Investigators worked late into the night to ensure the crime scene was secure, including searching Crooks’ home and speaking with his family.
The FBI investigation led to the discovery of more bombs in the family’s Bethel Park home, according to reports.
Members of the community where Crooks is believed to have lived with his parents were ambushed by police and the Secret Service on Sunday morning.
According to DailyMail.com, the family was quiet and kept to themselves.
Crooks was killed by the USSS seconds after opening fire on the former president and presumptive Republican presidential nominee on Saturday.
As Trump grabbed his right ear and ducked behind the lectern, his security guards formed a wall of bodies around him as the shooter was taken out.
With blood streaming down his face, Trump stood, raised his fist in the air and repeatedly shouted “fight” as he was escorted off the stage by suited Secret Service members.
Authorities found explosive materials in Crooks’ vehicle and family home. Members of the Bethel Park community where Crooks is believed to have lived with his parents were swarmed by police and the Secret Service early Sunday morning
The would-be assassin was a registered Republican and a high school senior set to graduate in 2022. Documents show that on Inauguration Day in 2020, Crooks made a donation to a progressive group supporting President Joe Biden.
Crooks shot Trump with an AR-style rifle from a rooftop 400 feet from the stage in Butler at 6:15 p.m. Saturday night.
Photos surfaced Sunday morning of Crooks wearing glasses, braces and a T-shirt with the American flag in a yearbook portrait photo.
Bethel Park School District, where Crooks attended school until two years ago, has verified his high school diploma and is cooperating with investigators.