Thomas Matthew Crooks' Father Seen In Public For First Time Since Deadly Trump Rally

Thomas Matthew Crooks' father was seen in public on Monday, marking his first appearance since the 20-year-old gunman opened fire at a rally for former President Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania.

The attempted assassination of the former president occurred on Saturday, July 13. Shortly after he opened fire, Crooks was shot and killed at the scene by the Secret Service. Although Trump survived the shooting, one bystander was killed, and two others were left in critical condition. Both are expected to survive.

The firearm the 20-year-old used was registered to Crooks' father, who was spotted in the public eye, picking up some groceries from a store before speaking to the media.

According to Fox, Crooks' parents were searching for him on Saturday before the shooting at the Trump rally. Unable to locate him, they contacted law enforcement to report him missing. While the specifics of what they communicated to authorities remain unclear, the call took place prior to Crooks opening fire at Trump during the rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

A few days ago, Crooks' father revealed that his son had asked to borrow an AK-style rifle, which the senior Crooks had legally purchased, to go to the shooting range. Both were members of the Clairton Sportsmen’s Club, which features a rifle shooting range that spans roughly 200 yards, so the parents did not think anything of it.

Investigators later discovered that Crooks had purchased 50 rounds of ammunition on the morning of the attempted assassination and found two explosive devices in the suspect's car. A third device was found inside the family home.

As the investigation into a possible motive continues, the Crooks family seems to attempt to return to a normal routine as Crooks' father was spotted shopping. "We're going to release a statement when our legal counsel advises us to do so – until then, we have no comment," he told Fox News Digital right before he loaded his groceries into the trunk of his car. "We just want to try to take care of ourselves right now. Please, just give us our space."

There was a woman with the senior Crooks, though it is unclear exactly who was under the hood and face mask.

Crooks' family members have been cooperating with the FBI as the agency works to determine a motive for the attempted assassination.

See the photos here.

Bruce Piendl, the owner of Allegheny Arms, where Crooks is believed to have purchased the ammo on the day of the shooting, previously released a statement, saying, "As a responsible member of our community, it is our prerogative to cooperate with law enforcement in every way. We are thankful that President Trump was not assassinated, and our hearts go out to all victims of this horrible incident."

"Out of respect for the ongoing investigation and that of those affected, we will not make any further statements," Piendl added.

The gun store reportedly has a history of selling firearms that have turned up at crime scenes.

Fox News recently reported that a source familiar with the investigation has revealed Crooks was researching mass high school shooter Ethan Crumbley before the attempted assassination of Trump.

Ethan Crumbley, now 18, is serving a life sentence without parole for the November 2021 shooting at Oxford High School in Michigan, where he killed four students and injured seven others at the age of 15. Following his conviction, his parents, James and Jennifer Crumbley, were also convicted of involuntary manslaughter.

Prosecutors argued that the Crumbleys failed to properly secure their firearms and home, and did not seek necessary help for their son before the shooting. They also noted that the parents had met with Oxford High School administrators to discuss their son's alarming drawings just hours before the tragic event occurred.

As investigators delve deeper into Crooks' background, they have discovered other intriguing Google searches, including images of Trump and Biden, the Democratic National Convention (DNC), and "major depressive disorder."

ABC also reported that three law enforcement sources have indicated the suspect left a message stating, "July 13 will be my premiere; Watch as it unfolds," which seems to have hinted at his intentions for the rally shooting.