Rally shooting death toll rises as wounded victim succumbs to injuries
Rally shooting death toll rises as wounded victim dies from injury complications months later.
Event / Conflict
Trump Butler Rally Shooting
On July 13, 2024, Thomas Matthew Crooks opened fire at a Donald Trump campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, killing one attendee and wounding two others. The FBI concluded Crooks acted alone. In January 2025, documents revealed Crooks used aliases for purchases and an anonymous donor funded his cremation. Trump alleged the investigation was compromised by Democrats without providing evidence.
3 reported locations
Daily activity
6 articles0 articles
2026-09-16 to 2026-11-02 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 16 Sept, 00:45 UTC
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What happened
Shooting at Trump rally in July 2024 killed two, injured Trump
A shooting occurred at Donald Trump's campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on July 13, 2024. Two people were killed: Corey Comperatore, a 50-year-old firefighter, and Jim Copenhaver. Donald Trump was wounded in the ear. The shooter, identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20 years old, was killed by Secret Service protection personnel at the scene.
Jim Copenhaver, wounded at Trump rally, dies from complications
Jim Copenhaver, a 76-year-old man who was shot and wounded at Donald Trump's campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on July 13, 2024, died from complications related to his injuries. Copenhaver was struck in the arm and abdomen during the shooting. Pennsylvania's Attorney General Dave Sunday confirmed he died from complications related to his gunshot wounds.
Senate Judiciary Committee received federal documents on assassination attempt investigation
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley received federal documents as part of an ongoing investigation into the assassination attempt against then-presidential candidate Donald Trump. The documents included interview summaries with Crooks' father and notes regarding the anonymous donor who paid for the cremation.
Federal records show Crooks had no close friendships throughout adolescence
Federal documents from interviews with Thomas Crooks' father reveal that Crooks never identified anyone as a friend during middle school or high school. Although he socialized with classmates, he explicitly told his father they were not his friends. His father described him as emotionally reserved, rarely laughed, and was difficult to read.
Thomas Crooks used alias 'Bob Dole' for online purchases of rifle components
Thomas Crooks used the pseudonym 'Bob Dole' as a delivery name when ordering packages containing gun parts, tools, and items to increase rifle capacity. The alias originated after his father's Citizens Bank account was hacked with fraudulent BetMGM charges. Crooks believed the pseudonym would protect his accounts from compromise.
Crooks developed advanced firearms knowledge and shooting proficiency over years
Thomas Crooks became increasingly interested in firearms as a teenager and began attending a gun club around the start of the pandemic. He was initially a poor shot but developed proficiency over four to five years. He became knowledgeable about measuring, zeroing weapons, and calculating sight adjustments. He eventually used targets set more than 100 yards away and after purchasing a prism sight became very knowledgeable about precise calculations.
Crooks attempted to build a 3D-printed Glock 19 firearm
Thomas Crooks attempted to build a Glock 19 using 3D printing technology, employing carbon fiber plastic, a dryer, and a toaster oven. After firing a single round, his father expressed concern that the frame could explode and refused to allow further use of the weapon.
Thomas Matthew Crooks fired on President Trump at Butler, Pennsylvania rally on July 13, 2024
Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, opened fire at a Trump campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on July 13, 2024. He fired a rifle borrowed from his father, grazing Trump in the ear. Rally attendee Corey Comperatore was killed, and two other rallygoers were seriously wounded. Crooks was shot and killed by a Secret Service counter-sniper immediately after.
FBI closed investigation into Thomas Crooks without determining motive
The FBI ultimately closed its investigation into Thomas Crooks' assassination attempt without establishing a definitive motive. FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino stated in November 2025 that the agency found no reason why Crooks would open fire on Trump despite reviewing the case thoroughly.
Anonymous donor paid for Thomas Crooks' cremation
Thomas Crooks was cremated shortly after the shooting, with costs covered by an anonymous donor. The FBI released his body to his family approximately 10 days after the July 13, 2024 incident. Crooks' father was retired and his mother was on leave from work at the time, indicating financial constraints for funeral expenses.
Crooks demonstrated interest in privacy tools and encrypted communications
Thomas Crooks introduced his father to privacy tools and encrypted email services including GMX and Mailfence, stating they would make accounts less likely to be compromised by outside actors. He also expressed concern about account security following his father's bank account hack.
Thomas Matthew Crooks shot Trump at Butler, Pennsylvania rally on July 13, 2024
Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, opened fire on President Donald Trump from a nearby rooftop during a campaign rally at Butler Farm Show Grounds in Butler, Pennsylvania on July 13, 2024. Crooks used an AR-15-style rifle and fired multiple rounds. A bullet grazed Trump's right ear. One rally attendee, Corey Comperatore, was killed. Two others, James Copenhaver and David Dutch, were injured. A U.S. Secret Service sniper shot and killed Crooks shortly after he began firing.
New documents released about Thomas Matthew Crooks show alias purchases and cremation expenses
Federal documents related to the assassination attempt were released to Republican Senator Chuck Grassley, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. The documents revealed that Thomas Matthew Crooks made online purchases under the alias 'Bob Dole' from Amazon and other retailers, attempting to conceal his identity before the shooting. The packages included parts and tools for his assault rifle and were delivered to Crooks' parents' house. The documents also showed that an anonymous donor paid for Crooks' cremation expenses shortly after the assassination attempt. Crooks' motive for using the alias remains unknown.
FBI Director Kash Patel testifies Crooks had no contact with other individuals except parents
FBI Director Kash Patel testified before a Senate Oversight Committee hearing that his agency found no evidence of connections between Thomas Matthew Crooks and other individuals. Patel stated that they found no evidence that Crooks was speaking to any other human being other than his parents, whom he resided with.
Attorney General Todd Blanche describes new FBI documents as background information on shooter
Attorney General Todd Blanche responded to questions about the 'new information' that President Trump referenced, stating that the new documents produced by the FBI in response to Senate inquiry contain information about the shooter and his background and history that was not previously known. Blanche refused to offer specific evidence of an alleged plot behind the assassination attempt.
Christopher Wray resigned as FBI Director before Trump's second term inauguration
Christopher Wray, who served as FBI Director at the time of the assassination attempt, resigned before Trump was inaugurated for his second term on January 20, 2025. Wray resigned because he feared that Trump firing him could cause turmoil within the department.
President Trump alleges Democrat plot behind assassination attempt investigation
President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social on Tuesday that the 2024 assassination attempt against him was a 'Democrat Plot' and claimed that key evidence was missing, altered or corrupted when he took office on January 20, 2025. Trump criticized the FBI under former President Joe Biden and said former FBI Director Christopher Wray should pay a price for how the assassination attempt was handled. Trump did not provide evidence to support his claim of a broader plot.
FBI concluded Thomas Matthew Crooks acted alone in assassination attempt
The FBI concluded after an extensive investigation that Thomas Matthew Crooks acted alone in the assassination attempt against Trump. The investigation involved 485 FBI employees who conducted more than 1,000 interviews, reviewed 2,000 tips, and executed more than 10 search warrants and 100 subpoenas. Investigators examined 13 electronic devices connected to Crooks and his family, along with 35 online accounts including social media, banking and email accounts. The FBI found no evidence that a foreign individual, government or organization directed, inspired or assisted Crooks. FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed this conclusion in November 2025.
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2 alternative perspectives
Attack sequence and shooter positioning detailed in Butler rally investigation
Investigation details Crooks' operational methods in the Butler rally attack with no external coordination identified.
Shooter employed operational security measures in attack preparation
Crooks used aliases, encrypted tools, and advanced firearms knowledge to conceal identity and capabilities.
Trump alleges Democrat plot as FBI director resigns before inauguration
Trump claims Democrats politically motivated the investigation; FBI Director Wray resigns before inauguration.
FBI releases documents detailing shooter's financial transactions and personal records
FBI releases documents detailing Crooks' finances, aliases, and personal records from shooting investigation.
FBI finds shooter acted alone in Butler rally attack
FBI investigation determined shooter acted alone with no outside coordination.