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4 months ago
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Donald Trump's would-be assassin Thomas Matthew Crooks had explosives in the car he drove to the Pennsylvania rally and used a firearm purchased by his father.
Authorities found the 'explosive devices' in the 20-year-old's vehicle and home after Secret Service agents shot and killed him seconds after he opened fire on the former president, the Wall Street Journal reported.
Matthew Crooks, 53, legally purchased the AR-15 that his son used to attempt to assassinate Trump on Saturday.
Thomas Crooks killed one rally goer, now revealed to be Corey Comperatore, and critically injured two others who are being treated at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh while attempting to take out Trump.
A bullet struck the former president in his right ear but his campaign says he is otherwise 'fine.'
Yearbook images have surfaced of Thomas Matthew Crooks, the 20-year-old gunman who opened fire on former President Donald Trump during a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday. A resident confirmed the identity to DailyMail.com
Crooks, who graduated high school just two years ago, parked his vehicle near the rally site in Butler, Pennsylvania on Saturday before scaling to the roof of a nearby industrial manufacturing building and targeting Trump.
Authorities claim that after police received multiple reports of suspicious packages near where the shooter parked his car it prompted them to dispatch bomb technicians.
Investigators worked well into the night to make sure the scene was clear, which included searching Crooks' home and speaking with his family.
The FBI search led to the discovery of more bombs in the family's Bethel Park home, according to reports.
Members of the community where Crooks is believed to have lived with his parents were swarmed by police and Secret Service on Sunday morning.
Those who spoke to DailyMail.com said the family were quiet and kept to themselves.
Crooks was killed by USSS seconds after opening fire on the former president and presumed Republican presidential nominee on Saturday.
As Trump grabbed his right ear and ducked behind the podium, his security detail created a wall of bodies around him while the gunman was taken out.
With blood running down his face, Trump stood up and raised his fist in the air and repeatedly yelled 'fight' as he was escorted off stage by suited members of the Secret Service.
Authorities found explosive materials in Crooks' vehicle and family home. Members of the Bethel Park community where Crooks is believed to have lived with his parents were swarmed by police and Secret Service on Sunday morning
The would-be assassin was a registered Republican and 2022 high school graduate. Records show Crooks donated on the day of the 2020 inauguration to a progressive group backing President Joe Biden.
Crooks shot at Trump with an AR-style rifle from a rooftop 130 yards from the rally stage in Butler just before 6:15 p.m. on Saturday.
Images of Crooks wearing glasses, braces, and an American flag t-shirt in a yearbook headshots emerged on Sunday morning.
Bethel Park School District, where Crooks was a student until two years ago, verified his graduation from the high school and is cooperating with investigators.
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