Thomas Crooks, the 20-year-old man who attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump at a rally last month, was a member of a local gun club where he practiced shooting just one day before the assassination attempt, as per records obtained by Fox News Digital. Crooks became a member of the Clairton Sportsmen’s Club on August 10, 2023, and visited the range at least 43 times. It was noted that Crooks focused more on the rifle range rather than the pistol range during his visits. He attended target practice around three to six times per month in 2024.
On May 23, 2024, the range was also used by the Department of Homeland Security for “police training,” indicating the diverse usage of the facilities. Crooks made his final visit to the gun club on July 12, 2024, just one day before he attempted to assassinate Trump during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Crooks was swiftly neutralized by a U.S. Secret Service sniper after firing upon Trump from a nearby rooftop, resulting in Trump being struck in the ear by a bullet, the death of a rally attendee, and injuries to two others.
The Secret Service faced intense scrutiny for failing to prevent the shooting, especially after it was revealed that law enforcement officers had encountered Crooks before the incident but lost track of him. Crooks managed to climb onto the roof of a nearby building and fire several shots with an AR-15 style rifle. Before the shooting, a local officer approached the roof, prompting Crooks to point his rifle at the officer, who then retreated.
Following the incident, Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned amidst mounting pressure and criticism. In a letter to the agency, Cheatle took full responsibility for the security lapse, acknowledging the intense scrutiny and promising to address the operational shortcomings moving forward. The resignation came after Cheatle’s testimony before the House Oversight Committee regarding the attempted assassination.
The incident highlighted the challenges faced by security agencies in protecting high-profile individuals and events, underscoring the need for enhanced coordination and vigilance in preventing such threats in the future. As the investigation continues and lessons are learned, the focus remains on improving security protocols and response mechanisms to ensure the safety of public figures and the general public alike.
