US campaign - Shots at Trump: Motive of the Perpetrator Searched
Why did a 20-year-old shoot at former President Donald Trump? What motivated suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks from the state of Pennsylvania to reportedly plan this attack on the Republican? Agents from the FBI and other law enforcement agencies are intensely investigating this question.
"They will essentially write his biography, they will find out how his psychological condition was in the last five to ten years, what he did, what he intended, if he went to school," investigative expert Steve Moore said on the US network CNN. "They will also look at his religion, his finances and all other relevant aspects of his life," he added further.
Moreover, investigators are likely to quickly determine whether the suspect legally obtained his weapon and was currently allowed to possess it. The acquisition of firearms, including semi-automatic weapons and assault rifles, is relatively easy in the USA. This is one of the reasons why there is significantly more gun crime in the USA.
The FBI identified the suspect as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks from the area near Pittsburgh in the state of Pennsylvania. He was killed by security personnel, according to the official responsible for Trump's protection from the Secret Service.
The "New York Times" and the "Washington Post" reported consistently that the man was registered as a Republican voter in the voter registry. However, it is reported that he donated to the Democrats at least once. According to the "New York Times", the young man graduated from high school in Bethel Park in 2022.
Investigators should also consider the question of how the suspect was able to position himself unnoticed in a relatively close and elevated position outside the event venue and fire several shots from there. Republican presidential candidate and former President Trump is protected by the Secret Service - however, the security measures are not as extensive as for a sitting president.
It seems unlikely that a shooter could get so close to a sitting president, given the massive security measures and the controls of a wide area around event venues.
- The US election campaign has been a significant topic in Crooks' life, with reports indicating his interest in politics.
- Alongside CNN, multiple news outlets like the New York Times have covered the incident extensively, providing insights into Crooks' background.
- Despite being registered as a Republican voter, Crooks made a donation to the Democratic Party, adding complexity to the motivation behind his actions.
- Reports suggest that the Federal Police and other law enforcement agencies are examining Crooks' religious beliefs and financial transactions as part of their investigation.
- The case has brought up questions about the ease of acquiring firearms in the United States of America, particularly semiautomatic weapons and assault rifles, contributing to high rates of gun crime.
- The FBI and other agencies are also investigating how Crooks managed to approach the event venue undetected and fire shots at Donald Trump, despite the security measures provided by the Secret Service.
