Trump Shooter's Father Surfaces After Son's Failed Assassination Attempt

Matthew Crooks, father of Thomas Crooks who attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump, has been seen in public for the first time since the incident. Crooks' family has been assisting the FBI in their investigation, but the motive for the shooting remains unclear.

BETHEL PARK, Pa. – Following the failed assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, the father of the 20-year-old gunman has been spotted in public for the first time.

Trump Shooter's Father Surfaces After Son's Failed Assassination Attempt

Matthew Crooks was seen leaving a store on Monday, July 22, 2024, by a local business employee and a neighbor who identified a picture of him. This sighting marks the first time the elder Crooks has been seen since his son, Thomas, opened fire at Trump's rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13.

Snipers killed Thomas Crooks after he nicked Trump's ear, killed bystander Corey Comperatore, and injured two others. Investigators have been questioning Crooks' family members as they attempt to determine a motive for the near assassination.

Trump Shooter's Father Surfaces After Son's Failed Assassination Attempt

When approached by Fox News Digital, Matthew Crooks declined to answer questions. He stated, "We're going to release a statement when our legal counsel advises us to do so – until then, we have no comment."

Matthew Crooks also expressed the family's desire for privacy, saying, "We just want to try to take care of ourselves right now. Please, just give us our space."

Trump Shooter's Father Surfaces After Son's Failed Assassination Attempt

The FBI continues to investigate the incident, and it is unclear whether Matthew or Mary Crooks, Thomas's mother, knew that he was in possession of the AR-15 registered to his father. Both parents are licensed professional counselors.

Thomas Crooks graduated from Bethel Park High School in 2020 and earned an associate's degree in engineering from the Community College of Allegheny County in May. He was reportedly planning to attend Robert Morris University or the University of Pittsburgh.

Trump Shooter's Father Surfaces After Son's Failed Assassination Attempt

Investigators are examining how Crooks was able to evade security measures and climb onto the roof of a building near Trump's podium. Lawmakers visited the shooting site on Monday as the Secret Service Director testified before Congress about security failures.

A motive for the shooting remains unclear. Crooks had expressed a dislike for politicians, but his online searches before the attack included dates and times of political conventions and photos of Trump and President Biden.