Man Who Fired Shots at Former President Trump Was a Regular at Gun Range

Records obtained by Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley indicate that Thomas Matthew Crooks, the suspected shooter in the assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump, frequented a Pennsylvania gun club extensively in the year leading up to the attack. Grassley’s office released details showing that Crooks visited the Clairton Sportsmen's Club 43 times since becoming a member on August 10, 2023, with a significant focus on rifle practice, accounting for 80% of his visits. The records highlight Crooks' intense preparation, as he made 20 visits within the first four months of his membership. Notably, he was at the gun club just a day before the July 13 assassination attempt, visiting on July 12 at 2:45 p.m. local time. This pattern of behavior raises concerns about his intentions leading up to the incident. On the day of the attack, Crooks allegedly fired as many as eight rounds from a rooftop outside the security perimeter of a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The situation escalated quickly, with a Secret Service counter-sniper ultimately killing him. Dramatic body camera footage from the incident shows officers responding to the threat, with one officer reporting the shooter's location and the urgency of the situation. The release of these records and footage underscores the serious nature of the assassination attempt and the extensive preparation undertaken by Crooks, prompting further investigation into the events surrounding the incident.