Dad of Trump shooter called police after attack with concerns that his son and gun were missing, report says
Father of gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks owns ‘dozens’ of firearms, law enforcement officials say
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The father of the gunman who shot Donald Trump called police after the rally shooting, worried that his son and a firearm were missing, according to reports.
Matthew Crooks realized his 20-year-old son, Thomas Matthew Crooks, and an AR-style rifle were missing shortly after shots were fired at the former president at a campaign rally on Saturday in Butler, Pennsylvania. Three senior law enforcement officials told NBC News that the father then called police.
Law enforcement officials then went to the home where Crooks lived with his parents in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania.
Approximately a day later, they publicly identified Crooks as the gunman who fired from the roof of a building outside the security perimeter of the Trump rally. Because Crooks was not carrying a form of identification, investigators used DNA to confirm his identity.
The Independent has asked the FBI for more information on the report.
The gun was identified as his father’s missing firearm. Crooks used his father’s legally obtained 5.56 caliber AR-style rifle to carry out the shooting, police said.
Law enforcement officials told NBC News that upon searching the Crooks’ home, they discovered “more than a dozen” firearms. It is not clear at this time if Crooks’ father kept his firearms in a locked storage container.
Under Pennsylvania law, gun owners are not required to store their firearms in a lock box or other locked storage measure but they are encouraged to.
Senior law enforcement officials told NBC that Crooks purchased 50 rounds of ammunition hours before the rally shooting on Saturday.
FBI also found what appeared to be a metal box of explosive materials and a receiver in the car which Crooks drove to the rally. Police say it is a sign that the shooter may have been planning to initiate an explosion of some kind.
Crooks’ motive in the shooting remains unclear but the FBI and other law enforcement agencies have launched investigations.
The FBI said in an update on Monday that they had obtained access to Crooks’ phone and were analyzing his electronic devices.
Family members and neighbors said they were shocked to find out that Crooks was the perpetrator of the assassination attempt on the former president. Classmates and neighbors also told reporters that Crooks was a quiet boy who did well academically.
Former president Trump was minutes into his speech on Saturday when a bullet grazed his right ear. He was rushed from the stage by Secret Service agents, and treated at a local hospital.
The shooter killed Corey Comperatone, a 50-year-old volunteer firefighter. Two other men who were shot are in stable condition but still hospitalized.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments