The gunman who attempted to assassinate Donald Trump purchased 50 rounds of ammunition hours before taking aim at the former president during his rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday, according to a report.
Thomas Matthew Crooks bought dozens of rounds of ammunition at a local gun store hours before opening fire at Trump — grazing him in the ear, killing a hero volunteer firefighter in the crowd and gravely wounding two others during his rally in Butler, Pa., law enforcement sources confirmed to The Post on Monday.
CNN first reported on the ammunition purchase.
The gun shop owner reported the purchase to investigators, the sources said.
Trump speaks during a rally before the attempted assassination. REUTERSCrooks was on the roof of a manufacturing plant about 130 yards from Trump’s rally when he squeezed off eight rounds. Secret Service snipers responded quickly, killing the 20-year-old instantly.
He was found with an AR-style semi-automatic assault rifle that his father had bought and was wearing a shirt for a popular gun YouTube channel, Demolition Ranch.
Crooks, a loner who was “relentlessly” bullied in high school, according to former classmates, was a registered Republican, though he made a single donation to the liberal ActBlue political action committee when he was just 17.
It was not immediately clear Sunday why Crooks targeted the former president.
Thomas Matthew Crooks AFP via Getty ImagesThere was no known manifesto or clear motive posted online by the gunman as of Sunday, law enforcement sources told The Post.
Horrifying images shared online of the aftermath of the shooting showed a Secret Service sniper standing over Crooks’ body, which lay limp on the roof in an all-gray outfit with blood streaking across his face and into his long, brown hair.
Here’s the latest on the assassination attempt against Donald Trump:
- Would-be Trump assassin Thomas Crooks visited gun range dozens of times — including Christmas — for ‘intense preparation’
- Newly surfaced texts show Trump rally gunman was on authorities’ radar more than 90 minutes before shooting: report
- FBI to conduct victim interview with Donald Trump after assassination attempt
- Ex-Trump doc says FBI’s Wray is ‘wrong’ to doubt ex-prez was struck by bullet: ‘Absolutely no evidence’
- Trump defends female Secret Service agent who was criticized after assassination attempt: ‘So brave’
The chaotic attack on Trump was also captured in horrifying video footage, showcasing the former president getting tackled to the ground by Secret Service agents mere moments after gunshots sounded.
Seconds later, Trump rose to his feet and told his security detail to “wait” before pumping his fist and shouting “Fight” to the badly shaken crowd.
One rally-goer died while two spectators were critically wounded in the attack, officials said. Their conditions on Monday were not immediately known.
