Who was Thomas Matthew, the 20-year-old shooter accused of assassination attempt on Donald Trump?

Thomas Matthew, a 20-year-old from Bethel Park, has been identified as the gunman responsible for the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump. The incident took place during a campaign rally at the Butler Farm Show grounds, where Trump was addressing a crowd. Positioned approximately 130 yards away from the stage atop a nearby manufacturing plant, Matthew allegedly fired shots that grazed Trump's ear, causing him to bleed before being evacuated by Secret Service agents.

In response to the threat, Secret Service snipers quickly neutralized Matthew, who was found armed with an AR-style rifle. The confrontation resulted in Matthew's death at the scene. Police are now trying to understand with the motive behind this brazen attack, categorizing it as an "assassination attempt" on the former president.

Matthew's background and any potential affiliations that might shed light on his actions are currently under intense scrutiny by federal investigators. Despite initial reports, details about his motivations remain elusive, leaving questions unanswered about what drove him to commit such a violent act.

Bethel Park, a small community south of the rally location, is reeling from the shock of Matthew's actions. Alongside injuring Trump, Matthew's gunfire also claimed the life of an uninvolved individual and critically wounded two others.

Authorities, including Lt. Col. George Bevins of the Pennsylvania State Police, caution that it is premature to conclude whether Matthew acted alone. The investigation continues to pursue multiple leads in an effort to establish a comprehensive understanding of the events leading up to the attack.