The man who allegedly took aim at former President Donald Trump on Saturday night was a member of a local shooting club, a lawyer for the club confirmed to ABC News.
Thomas Crooks belongs to the Clairton Sportsmen’s Club in Clairton, Pennsylvania, about 12 miles south of Pittsburgh, which has a variety of shooting ranges.
“We can confirm that Mr. Crooks was a member of the Clairton Sportsman’s Club,” Robert S. Bootey III, an attorney for the club, said in a statement.
“Beyond that, the club cannot comment further on this matter due to an ongoing law enforcement investigation,” Bootey continued.
“Obviously, the club totally condemns the senseless act of violence that took place yesterday. The club also expresses its deepest condolences to Mr Comperatore’s family and sends its prayers to all those injured, including the former president,” he said.
-Sasha Pezenik, ABC News
President Joe Biden addressed the nation directly on Sunday, saying the political landscape must not be a “killing ground” following Saturday’s assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.
“Disagreements are inevitable in our American democracy,” Biden said, adding, “They’re part of human nature.”
“But politics must never become a literal battlefield or, please God, a killing field,” Biden continued.
“Politics should be a forum for peaceful debate, for the pursuit of justice, and for decisions guided by the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution we believe in. I believe it should be based on civility and decency, not extremism and rage,” Biden added.
In his speech, Biden said he had spoken to Trump by phone after the attack and was “grateful” that Trump was not seriously injured and was in good health.
“Let’s never forget: we are the United States of America,” Biden said, concluding his speech with a call for unity.
“If we work together, nothing is beyond our capabilities,” he added.
Former President Donald Trump was photographed getting off a plane as it landed in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Sunday.
In the photo, Trump can be seen pumping his fist on the steps of the plane.
The former president is in Milwaukee ahead of the 2024 Republican National Convention, which is scheduled to begin on Monday, just two days after Saturday’s assassination attempt.
During the attack at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, Trump was shot above his right ear and was treated at a local hospital after the attack.
Law enforcement sources told ABC News that the FBI now has in its possession three firearms used in Saturday’s shooting and defense of the former president.
One of the firearms belonged to the shooter, one belonged to the Secret Service agent who shot and killed the shooter, and the other belonged to a Butler County sheriff’s deputy involved in the shooting.
-Luke Barr, ABC News
