What is known about the Trump assassin

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By Pinang Driod

Donald Trump narrowly escaped an assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania on Saturday. A hitman fires several shots at the former US president during an election campaign, wounding him with a glancing blow to the face. One supporter of the presidential candidate dies and two others are seriously wounded. The attacker is eventually shot.

Leaders around the world reacted with shock to the attack. Chancellor Olaf Scholz wrote about X: “The attack on US presidential candidate Donald Trump is despicable. I wish him a speedy recovery. My thoughts are also with the people affected by the attack.” Such acts of violence threatened democracy.

Many government leaders speak out

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wrote that he was outraged by the attack on Trump. “It cannot be stressed enough: political violence is never acceptable. My thoughts are with former President Trump, those present, and all Americans.”

The wishes for recovery also came from the new British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. He was shocked by the scenes that unfolded during the meeting. “Political violence has no place in our society, whatever its nature, and my thoughts are with all the victims of this attack.”

Security forces informed before the attack?

But who is the man who wanted to kill the former and possibly future US president? According to the FBI, the attacker was 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks. Videos on social media show the perpetrator taking up position on a nearby roof. Those present shout that someone has a gun. Shortly afterwards, the man believed to be Crooks is shot. The gunfire can be clearly heard.

A witness told the BBC immediately after the attack that he had seen the perpetrator climb onto the roof with a gun minutes before the attack. He also told several times to police officers and employees of the Secret Service, which is responsible for protecting presidents and former presidents. However, no one listened to him. Shortly afterwards, the first shots were fired.

Another video shows a Secret Service sniper behind Trump apparently having the assassin in his sights for some time. Shortly before the first shots are fired, he suddenly jumps up, takes aim again and returns fire. At the same moment, Trump collapses on the podium.

The perpetrator’s clothing raises questions

Crooks, who reportedly hails from Pennsylvania, is registered as a Republican supporter, according to a report by NBC. In the US, it is possible to register your preferred party with election authorities. At the same time, however, he is said to have donated $15 to a left-wing group in 2021.

Also of note is a T-shirt that Crooks is said to have worn during the crime. It belongs to the YouTube channel “Demolition Ranch” with nearly twelve million followers, offering family-friendly target practice and advocating against strict gun laws.

Nothing is known about Crooks’ motive. The FBI classified the crime as attempted murder and has taken over the investigation. Nothing is known about the attacker’s motives at this time.



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