FBI identifies 20-year-old shooter in Trump assassination attempt

CBC News

14 Jul 202404:17

Summary

TLDRThe FBI has identified Thomas Matthew Crooks as the suspect in an alleged assassination attempt on former US President Donald Trump during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Crooks, a registered Republican from Bethl Park, raises questions about the motive for the attack, which is under investigation. Despite the incident, Trump plans to attend a convention in Milwaukee as scheduled, with heightened security measures in place. The FBI and law enforcement agencies are working closely to ensure safety and are still piecing together the details of the failed attempt.

Takeaways

🔍 The FBI has identified the suspect in the alleged assassination attempt on former US president Donald Trump as Thomas Matthew Crooks from Bethl Park, Pennsylvania.
🏛 Thomas Matthew Crooks was a registered Republican according to state voter records, raising questions about his motive for the attack.
🕵️‍♂️ The FBI is leading the investigation into the assassination attempt, working alongside the Philadelphia state police.
🚨 The incident marks the first attempted assassination of a president or presidential candidate since Ronald Reagan in 1981.
🛡️ The Secret Service acted swiftly, whisking Trump away and acting as human shields during the attack.
🩸 Former President Trump was injured, with blood visible dripping from his ear after the attack, but he appears to be in good health the next day.
💪 Despite the incident, Trump remains defiant and plans to attend the convention in Milwaukee as scheduled.
🏢 The Republican National Committee and Trump's campaign have stated that the convention will proceed as planned with heightened security measures.
🔒 The convention has a high level of security, with stringent credentialing requirements and cooperation with 40 different law enforcement agencies.
🗣️ Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Watley reassured that the committee is working closely with the Secret Service to ensure safety.
📅 The convention in Milwaukee is set to kick off the day after the script was delivered, with preparations underway and everyone on high alert.

Q & A

What is the latest update on the investigation involving an alleged assassination attempt on former US President Donald Trump?
-The FBI has identified the suspect as Thomas Matthew Crooks from Bethl Park, Pennsylvania. The motive for the attack is still under investigation by federal officials.
Where was the alleged assassination attempt on Donald Trump supposed to have taken place?
-The incident occurred at a campaign rally in Butler, which is about an hour away from the suspect's hometown.
What is the political affiliation of the suspect, Thomas Matthew Crooks, according to state voter records?
-Thomas Matthew Crooks was registered as a Republican.
What is the significance of this attempted assassination in terms of US history?
-This is the first attempted assassination of a president or presidential candidate since Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981.
How did the Secret Service respond to the attack on Donald Trump?
-The Secret Service acted quickly, whisking Donald Trump away and almost acting as human shields. They are also part of the ongoing investigation into the security breach.
What injuries did Donald Trump sustain during the attack?
-Donald Trump was reported to have blood dripping from his ear, which was pierced by the bullet hitting the upper part of his right ear.
How is Donald Trump's condition now, following the attack?
-He appears to be well and has stated that he will be attending the convention in Milwaukee as planned.
What is the current state of security at the convention in Milwaukee?
-Security is high, with the Republican National Committee working with the Secret Service and 40 different law enforcement agencies to ensure safety.
How is the Republican National Committee responding to the attempted assassination?
-The committee, led by Chairman Michael Watley, has stated that the party's convention will proceed as planned with heightened security measures in place.
What is the statement from Donald Trump's campaign advisers regarding the convention?
-They have issued a statement saying that President Trump looks forward to joining the convention in Milwaukee to proceed with the nomination for the 47th presidency of the United States.
What is the role of the FBI in the current situation?
-The FBI is the lead federal law enforcement agency conducting the investigation into the attempted assassination and working to determine the motive behind the attack.

Outlines

00:00

🔍 Investigation into Alleged Assassination Attempt on Trump

The script details an ongoing investigation into an alleged assassination attempt on former US President Donald Trump. The FBI has identified the suspect as Thomas Matthew Crooks, a registered Republican from Pennsylvania. The motive behind the attack is still under investigation, with federal officials working to determine how the incident occurred and the suspect's access to the location. The incident marks the first attempted assassination of a president or presidential candidate since 1981. Despite the attack, Trump is reported to be well and plans to attend a convention in Milwaukee as scheduled.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Assassination Attempt

An assassination attempt refers to a deliberate effort to kill a high-profile individual, particularly a political figure. In the context of the video, it is the central event where an attempt was made on the life of former US President Donald Trump, highlighting the severity of the incident and its impact on the ongoing investigation.

💡FBI

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is the principal federal law enforcement agency of the United States, responsible for investigating major crimes and threats to national security. In the video, the FBI is leading the investigation into the assassination attempt, emphasizing their role in handling high-profile cases and ensuring public safety.

💡Thomas Matthew Crooks

Thomas Matthew Crooks is identified as the suspect in the video script, accused of attempting to assassinate Donald Trump. His identification by the FBI is crucial to the narrative as it provides a focal point for the investigation and raises questions about his motives and background.

💡Republican

In the script, it is mentioned that Crooks was a registered Republican, which is significant as it may influence the perception of the attack, given that Donald Trump is also a Republican. This detail adds a layer of complexity to the investigation and public discourse surrounding the incident.

💡Secret Service

The United States Secret Service is responsible for protecting the president and other high-ranking officials. In the video, the Secret Service is highlighted for their quick response during the attack, acting as a 'human shield' for Trump, which underscores their critical role in safeguarding the president.

💡Campaign Rally

A campaign rally is a public event held by political candidates to promote their platform and rally support. The script mentions a campaign rally in Butler where the attack occurred, indicating the political context of the incident and its potential impact on the election process.

💡Convention

The convention mentioned in the script refers to a large gathering of political party members to nominate candidates and set party policies. The upcoming convention in Milwaukee is significant as it is planned to proceed despite the assassination attempt, showing a sense of defiance and continuity in the face of the incident.

💡Security Apparatus

The term 'security apparatus' in the script refers to the systems and measures put in place to ensure safety and prevent threats. The investigation into the security apparatus is crucial to understanding how the suspect was able to access the location and what changes may need to be made to prevent future incidents.

💡Motive

Motive refers to the reason or driving force behind an action, especially a criminal one. The script raises the question of the suspect's motive for the attack, which is central to the investigation and understanding the underlying causes of such violent acts.

💡High Alert

Being on 'high alert' means being in a state of heightened vigilance and readiness to respond to potential threats. In the context of the video, the convention and its attendees are on high alert following the assassination attempt, indicating increased security measures and a tense atmosphere.

💡47th President

The script mentions the intention to nominate Donald Trump to serve as the 47th President of the United States, which provides context for the political stakes involved and the significance of the convention in light of the assassination attempt.

Highlights

FBI identifies the suspect of the alleged assassination attempt on former US President Donald Trump as Thomas Matthew Crooks from Bethl Park, Pennsylvania.

Crooks was a registered Republican, raising questions about his motive for the attack.

Federal officials and the FBI are leading the investigation to determine the motive behind the assassination attempt.

The FBI held a news conference with the Philadelphia state police, calling the incident an assassination attempt against Trump.

There are many unanswered questions about the security breach that allowed the suspect access to Trump's location.

This is the first attempted assassination of a president or presidential candidate since Ronald Reagan in 1981.

The US Secret Service acted quickly, whisking Trump away and acting as human shields during the attack.

Trump suffered a minor injury, with the bullet piercing the upper part of his right ear, but is expected to attend the upcoming convention in Milwaukee.

The Republican National Committee confirms that the party's convention will proceed as planned, with heightened security measures in place.

RNC Chairman Michael Watley states that the committee is working closely with the Secret Service and 40 different law enforcement agencies to ensure security.

Trump's campaign advisers issue a statement expressing Trump's defiance and intention to attend the Milwaukee convention.

Ethil Musa reports from Milwaukee, providing updates on the investigation and the convention preparations.

The convention is set to officially nominate Trump to serve as the 47th President of the United States.

Security at the convention is extremely tight, with high credentialing required to access the perimeter.

Law enforcement and the Secret Service are on high alert following the assassination attempt.

The incident is expected to have a significant impact on the convention's atmosphere and security protocols.