FBI identifies Trump rally shooter as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks

Pennsylvania: In a statement released today, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) revealed that Thomas Matthew Crooks was the gunman responsible for the attempted assassination of former US President Donald Trump.

At a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, Crooks, 20, shot and wounded the 78-year-old Republican presidential candidate, injuring his ear. Crooks was shot and killed by security personnel.

"The FBI has identified Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, as the subject involved in the assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump on July 13, in Butler, Pennsylvania," the FBI said in a statement quoted by NBC and CBS.

Earlier, law enforcement authorities told reporters that while they had made a tentative identification of the alleged shooter, they were not yet ready to make it public. They added that they were still unsure of the motivation.

The incident is being investigated as "an assassination attempt" against the former president, according to the FBI, the lead federal law enforcement agency in the case. In the horrific shooting, which claimed the life of a bystander and seriously injured two others, Trump was hit in the ear. Blood was visible on his face as the US Secret Service officials hurried him off stage, NDTV reported.

At his last rally before the Republican National Convention, Trump had just begun to speak when there were gunshots heard. At the time of the shooting, which was shown live on news stations, thousands of his supporters were present.

Donald Trump, in his first account of being attacked during a rally, said, "I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear.”

"I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin," Trump said on his Truth Social site.

"Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening," he added.

He also thanked the Secret Service and law enforcement for their "rapid response".

"It is incredible that such an act can take place in our country," he said.

Less than four months before the US presidential election on November 5, which would pit Trump against Democratic nominee Joe Biden, the shocking incident took place.