The gunman who attempted to assassinate former President Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday was not affiliated with any military branch, the Pentagon confirmed Monday.
“We have checked with each of the military branches and their respective databases do not have a suspect with that name and date of birth serving in any active or reserve component of any of the military branches,” Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh told reporters.
She added that the Pentagon does not plan to make any changes to its force posture in response to the shooting.
Authorities identified the suspect as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, a small town outside Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Investigators believe Crooks used a semi-automatic AR-15 rifle to open fire on former President Trump as he spoke to supporters in Butler. One bullet grazed Trump’s ear, killing one audience member and wounding two others.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin released a statement on Sunday saying, “The Department of Defense condemns these acts of violence, which have no place in our democracy. This is not, and should never be, the way we resolve our differences in America.”
Since then, the Secret Service has faced intense criticism over how Crooks was able to get so close to Trump, Republican lawmakers have pledged a congressional investigation into the shooting, and President Biden has also ordered an independent review of the rally’s security.
The incident also raised questions about security for events surrounding the Republican National Convention, which began in Milwaukee on Monday.
Singh said about 1,700 National Guard troops and a small number of active-duty military personnel will be providing support to civilian authorities through Friday, but that the numbers are planned in advance and “are not in response to an incident that occurred this weekend.”
The Wisconsin, Minnesota and North Dakota National Guard will provide civilian assistance, explosive ordnance disposal, security and any other services required in support of the FBI, U.S. Secret Service and Milwaukee Police Department.
