#thomasmatthewcrooks

Residents and volunteers were urging a lowering of tensions Sunday in Milwaukee as Republicans descend on the city for their national convention just a day after Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt at a campaign rally.

The lakeside municipality in battleground Wisconsin finds itself in the eye of a political and security maelstrom following the spasm of violence that has shaken the 2024 campaign and prompted questions about the country's political polarization.

Police were enforcing a buffer zone in the fenced-off blocks around Fiserv Forum, the sports arena where some 2,400 Republican delegates from around the country will gather, beginning Monday, to formalize Trump as the party's nominee for the third time since 2016.

And President Joe Biden, Trump's election rival, said Sunday that following the shooting he has directed the Secret Service, the agency which protects US leaders, to "review all security measures… for the Republican National Convention."

Several residents told AFP Sunday that they or their neighbors were nervous and on heightened alert, and were calling for an easing of the political pressure cooker.

"Tensions are high on both sides, and I think we've got to tone down the rhetoric," said 60-year-old Trump supporter Martin Kutzler, who was walking in downtown Milwaukee wearing a T-shirt that depicts Trump as 1970s movie character The Godfather.

"Calling any American officeholder Hitler just throws gasoline on the rhetoric, and calling a current president Sleepy and Crooked is not advisable either," said Kutzler, who works for Amazon.

He was referring to some of the ugly comparisons and nicknames that have been thrown around to describe Trump and Biden -- at times by the candidates themselves.

Resident Becca, 25, was walking her dog with her mother along the Milwaukee River when she paused to ruminate over the "kind of crazy" preparations for the convention -- and the passions that are driving US voters.

"It is scary that people are this heated about an election," Becca, who declined to give her last name, told AFP, recalling the trauma from Saturday in Pennsylvania.

"And with everything going on, like we're a little nervous." she added. "I hope that they don't take it and escalate it in certain ways."

Lynn Quirk, who owns multiple college housing units in town, stood somberly watching the proceedings at a security checkpoint outside the convention arena.

"Everybody I talk to is just really super shocked," the 60-year-old Milwaukee native said. "It's a crazy time."

"Talking with my neighbors yesterday, people are nervous," she added. "Some people were going to come down here and look around. Now everybody's like, 'Yeah, no I don't need to come.'"

High metal fencing rings the perimeter area and police vessels patrol the river. An employee of a downtown food establishment conceded that merchants have been meeting and coordinating with the Secret Service.

Security forces are believed to number in the thousands, including hundreds of police from states as far as California.

"Obviously, we're going to be more vigilant -- not that we weren't going to be vigilant before. But with yesterday's events, the security is going to be heightened obviously," said Captain Anthony Scott, one of 63 Indiana State Police officers joining the sprawling operation.

As the investigation continues into the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump during his campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, new and unsettling details are emerging about suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks and his extensive weapons arsenal. The shooting incident, which occurred on Saturday afternoon, left Trump injured and led to the death of a rally attendee, while two others sustained critical injuries. The suspect, identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, was shot and killed by the Secret Service during the chaos.

Investigation Reveals Weapons and Explosive Materials

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), working in collaboration with the Secret Service and local law enforcement agencies, is leading the ongoing investigation. On Sunday, authorities disclosed that the firearm used in the attack was legally purchased by Crooks' father. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) confirmed this through an urgent trace. However, investigators are still probing the timeline and circumstances under which Crooks acquired the weapon, given his lack of military background.

In a related development, law enforcement officials have been scouring Crooks' residence in Bethel Park. The area around Milford Drive was cordoned off, and nearby residents were evacuated as authorities conducted a search. Reports indicate that bomb-making materials were discovered both at Crooks' home and inside his vehicle, which was parked in close proximity to the rally site.

The New York Times has reported that two explosive devices were found in Crooks' car. This discovery prompted a swift response from bomb technicians and other experts. According to the Wall Street Journal, suspicious packages were also reported near Crooks' vehicle, further intensifying the situation. Law enforcement sources told ABC News that while the exact nature of the items remains uncertain, there are significant concerns about their potential danger.

Background on Thomas Matthew Crooks

Thomas Matthew Crooks graduated from Bethel Park High School in 2022. Although he was a registered Republican voter, he made a $15 donation to a left-leaning political campaign group in early 2021, a detail that has drawn attention but remains unexplained. Investigative journalist Meghan Schiller, affiliated with a local CBS News station, reported insights from a former classmate of Crooks. The classmate described him as a socially isolated individual who was frequently bullied and known for wearing "hunting" outfits to school.

Reaction and Next Steps

The revelation of Crooks' weapons arsenal and the potential explosives found at his residence and vehicle has prompted widespread concern. The FBI and other agencies are working to piece together Crooks' motivations and any potential connections to extremist or criminal organizations. This includes assessing whether the attack was part of a larger conspiracy or if Crooks acted independently.

Matthew Crooks, Thomas's father, has declined to make any public statements about his son, citing a desire to first consult with law enforcement officials. The family's silence adds to the growing suspense surrounding the investigation.

The attack on Trump has not only raised questions about security at public events but also about how such a significant breach occurred. The Secret Service and other agencies are facing scrutiny regarding their preparedness and response protocols.

The 20-year-old man who allegedly tried to assassinate former US President Donald Trump had tried to join his high school's rifle team but was rejected for being a "terrible" shot.

Thomas Matthew Crooks was shot dead by law enforcement when he allegedly attempted to assassinate the 78-year-old Republican presidential candidate at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on Saturday.

He slipped onto a rooftop location 140 meters from the stage where Trump was speaking and began firing an AR-15-style semiautomatic rifle, purchased by his father, officials said. The gunfire struck Trump's right ear, killed a 50-year-old man, and critically injured two other spectators.

Thomas Matthew Crooks, a resident of Bethel Park, about an hour away from where the shocking shooting occurred, was a member of a local shooting club named Clairton Sportsmen's Club.

He had also tried out for the rifle team at high school but was rejected, The Post reported.

He once missed his target by close to 20 feet, former student Jameson Murphy told The Post.

"He tried out…and was such a comically bad shot he was unable to make the team and left after the first day," he said.

"Crooks couldn't shoot at all. He was a terrible shot," another classmate told The Post.

Even the coach had concerns about Crooks, the former students said.

"He made some crass jokes that weren't appropriate when there are firearms in the school setting," they said, without elaborating on what Crooks said.

The early details that have emerged about Thomas Matthew Crooks show that he was working an entry-level job near his hometown in Pennsylvania.

He graduated from high school in 2022 with a reputation as a bright but "quiet" classmate.

His counselor at Bethel Park High School described him as "respectful" and said he never knew him to be political.

Jim Knapp, who retired from his job as the school counselor at Bethel Park High School in 2022, said Crooks had always been "quiet as a churchmouse," "respectful" and kept to himself, although he did have a few friends.

Knapp said he rarely came across Crooks because "he wasn't a needy type kid".

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced on Sunday that Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old Pennsylvanian, fired shots at former U.S. President Donald Trump during an election rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The attack left a 50-year-old man dead, wounded two other attendees, and caused a minor injury to Trump's right ear. Law enforcement officers fatally shot Crooks shortly after the incident. Despite the gravity of the attack, the motivation behind Crooks's actions remains a mystery.

Background of Thomas Matthew Crooks

Thomas Matthew Crooks lived in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, a suburban area known for its quiet residential neighborhoods. Born and raised in Bethel Park, Crooks was a registered Republican who would have cast his first presidential vote in the November 5 elections. He graduated from Bethel Park High School in 2022, where he earned a reputation as a bright yet quiet student. His high school counselor described him as respectful and reserved, noting that Crooks was not known for any political activism or strong opinions.

Crooks's social media profiles offered no clues about his intentions. The FBI found no threatening language or violent content, nor did they uncover any history of mental health issues. His online presence was sparse and devoid of posts promoting violence or extremist ideologies, leaving investigators puzzled about his motives.

During his high school years, Crooks attempted to join the rifle team but was rejected due to his poor shooting skills, according to the team's current captain. Instead, he focused on building computers and playing video games, activities that occupied much of his free time. Crooks worked as a dietary aide at a local nursing home, where colleagues described him as diligent and unremarkable. Public records reveal a politically divided household: his father is a registered Republican, and his mother is a registered Democrat.

The Incident at Trump's Rally

The events leading up to the shooting began when Crooks attracted the attention of law enforcement officers outside Trump's campaign event. Spectators reported seeing him acting strangely and climbing a ladder. Officers initiated a search but failed to locate him before he reached a rooftop 150 yards from the stage where Trump was speaking. From this elevated position, Crooks began firing an AR-15-style semiautomatic rifle, a weapon legally purchased by his father.

An officer encountered Crooks on the roof but was unable to neutralize him before Crooks fired a shot towards Trump. Secret Service snipers quickly responded, shooting and killing Crooks. The attack resulted in the death of a 50-year-old man and injuries to two other attendees. Trump himself sustained a minor injury to his right ear.

Investigative Findings and Questions

The FBI is investigating the incident as a potential act of domestic terrorism. While they believe Crooks acted alone, his motives remain unclear. Without any apparent political or ideological affiliations, investigators have struggled to piece together a coherent narrative explaining why Crooks chose to target Trump.

A video shared on social media and verified by news agency AP shows Crooks wearing a grey T-shirt with a black American flag on the right arm, lying motionless on the roof of a manufacturing plant near the rally site. Images reviewed by AP indicate that Crooks wore a T-shirt from Demolition Ranch, a popular YouTube channel known for its firearms-related content. The channel regularly posts videos of its creator firing various handguns and assault rifles at different targets, including human mannequins.

Community Reactions

The Bethel Park community was shocked by the news of Crooks's actions. Former classmates and teachers expressed disbelief, struggling to reconcile the quiet, respectful student they knew with the man who attempted an assassination. "He was always polite and kept to himself," one former classmate recalled. "I never would have thought he was capable of something like this."

Local residents and officials are grappling with the broader implications of the incident. The attack has raised questions about security at political events and the ease with which individuals can access high-powered firearms. Bethel Park's mayor issued a statement expressing condolences to the victims and their families, while also calling for a thorough investigation into the circumstances that led to the tragedy.

National Implications

The shooting has reignited the national debate over gun control and political violence. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have called for increased security measures at political events and stricter regulations on firearms. The incident has also underscored the importance of addressing the root causes of domestic terrorism and finding ways to prevent individuals from turning to violence.

In the aftermath of the attack, there has been a renewed focus on monitoring and understanding the motivations behind such actions. Experts emphasize the need for a comprehensive approach that includes mental health support, community engagement, and proactive measures to detect and address potential threats.

Conclusion