BETHEL PARK, PA. (THECOUNT) — After the FBI identified Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, as the gunman who shot at former President Donald Trump, public records reviewed by CBS News and other outlets revealed that Crooks was a registered Republican who had previously donated $15 to a Democratic organization via ActBlue. But conflicting reports later surfaced claiming it may have been a different Thomas Matthew Crooks. So did he actually donate to Democrats? Now we know the truth, read on.
This apparent contradiction in Crooks’ political alignment has perplexed investigators and sparked widespread speculation. The motives behind Crooks’ actions remain unclear, leaving many questions unanswered. Some social media users have spread false claims, suggesting a mistaken identity. However, Federal Election Commission records confirm that the Bethel Park address on the $15 donation to Progressive Turnout Project matches Crooks’ residence, although the municipality was mistakenly listed as Pittsburgh, reports CBS News.
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The donation, made on January 20, 2021, coincided with President Biden’s inauguration, at which time Crooks would have been 17 years old, ineligible to register as a Republican or vote in the 2020 election. Progressive Turnout Project, known for its provocative fundraising tactics, confirmed that Crooks unsubscribed from their email list two years ago.
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Despite the FBI’s ongoing investigation, Crooks’ political beliefs and motives remain ambiguous. Public records show his parents are registered Democrat and Libertarian. Former high school classmates described him as a good student and a “nice kid,” not someone who seemed capable of violence. Crooks belonged to a gun club and used an AR-style rifle in the shooting, legally purchased by his father a decade ago.
Law enforcement sources revealed that Crooks had searched his phone for images of Trump and President Biden, as well as for information on Trump’s appearances, the Democratic National Convention, FBI Director Christopher Wray, Attorney General Merrick Garland, members of the British royal family, and major depressive disorder.
Senator Dick Durbin, a Democrat from Illinois, commented on the case, stating, “It is remarkable how unremarkable the shooter is. This unremarkable situation, according to the FBI, is not disclosing anything that shows him to be extraordinary from a political perspective. That may change, maybe more information will come out.”
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