FBI recovered an AR-style rifle from Crooks and is investigating the motive

FBI recovered an AR-style rifle from Crooks and is investigating the motive

FBI recovered an AR-style rifle from Crooks and is investigating the motive

Hours after the suspect who attempted to assassinate former US President Donald Trump was shot dead by the Secret Service, the FBI has identified the male adult as Thomas Matthew Crooks.

Crooks allegedly fired at Trump during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, from the roof of a manufacturing plant near the Butler Farm Show grounds where Trump was addressing the crowd.

Who was Thomas Matthew Crooks?

Thomas Matthew Crooks was a 20-year-old man from Pennsylvania's Bethel Park, which is 40 miles south of the rally venue. Bethel Park is a predominantly white neighbourhood and is part of greater Pittsburgh.

An AR-style rifle was recovered from him. FBI confirmed that he was the "subject involved". State voter records revealed that he was a registered Republican. 

FBI has not confirmed if Crooks acted alone in carrying out the attack. They are yet to find out his motive and are following multiple leads.

Trump was shot as he was minutes into his speech. A photo captured by NYT photographer Doug Mills showed a bullet whizzing past Trump's head after piercing his right year. 

The Secret Service's counter snipers immediately shot Crooks dead. One of the spectators was fatally shot by the attacker while two others were injured severely.