Thomas Matthew Crooks — who allegedly opened fire at a campaign rally for former President Donald Trump on Saturday in an assassination attempt — died from a gunshot wound to the head, Pennsylvania authorities announced on Tuesday.
The Butler County Coroner’s Office told TMZ that Crooks’ death was ruled a homicide. A Secret Service member reportedly shot and killed Crooks, 20, a minute after he shot former President Donald Trump in the ear and fatally shot volunteer firefighter Corey Comperatore, who was attending the rally.
Footage reportedly showed Crooks shooting from a roof 130 yards from Trump. Secret Service agents were seen piling on top of Trump, who dropped to the ground after being grazed by a bullet.
@gma EXCLUSIVE: U.S. Secret Service director Kimberly Cheatle tells ABC News’ Pierre Thomas that the security breach that led to assassination attempt on former Pres. Trump was “unacceptable and it’s something that shouldn’t happen again.” #news ♬ original sound – Good Morning America
Reports indicated that bystanders spotted Crooks on the roof at least two minutes before Saturday’s shooting. Additionally, sources told CNN that snipers were inside the building Crooks was shooting from.
Secret Service director Kimberly Cheatle explained to ABC, “Units started responding to seek that individual out. Unfortunately with the rapid succession of how things unfolded by the time that individual was located, they were on the rooftop and we able to fire off at the former president.”
For the latest true crime and justice news, subscribe to the ‘Crime Stories with Nancy Grace’ podcast. Listen to the latest episode:
[Feature Photo: Thomas Crooks/2020 High School Yearbook Photo]
