Dad of Donald Trump's Shooter in Spotlight as AR-15 Traced Back to Him

by P.juliet

Disclaimer: This post was created by a human and with the help of AI

At a recent rally, Corey was a true hero. I asked Corey's wife for permission to share our conversation, and she agreed, also requesting that I convey to everyone that Corey died protecting his family. Corey’s bravery was evident during the tragic attempted assassination of Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, which resulted in one fatality and three injuries, including the former president. Today, we explore the potential legal liability of the shooter’s parents with attorney and legal analyst Charlie Langton. Welcome to Sidebar, presented by Law & Crime. I'm Jesse Weber.

Authorities identified the shooter as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, who opened fire at the pro-Trump rally from a nearby rooftop, approximately 130-150 yards away. The incident resulted in injuries to Donald Trump, 57-year-old David Dutch, 74-year-old James Copenhaver, and the tragic death of 50-year-old Corey Comor, who sacrificed his life to shield his family.

Photo byYoutube

As the FBI leads the investigation into the security lapses that permitted this shooting, we turn our focus to Crooks' parents, Mary Elizabeth and Matthew Brian Crooks, licensed professional counselors from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. Neighbors described them as kind individuals, expressing shock and urging them not to blame themselves. Matthew Crooks told CNN he was trying to comprehend what had happened and would speak publicly after consulting with law enforcement.

The investigation revealed no apparent political or religious motivations in Thomas Crooks' cell phone and computer data, making his actions all the more perplexing. Crooks, a nursing home worker with no criminal history, lived with his parents in a suburban neighborhood about 50 miles from the shooting site. Authorities discovered that Crooks used an AR-15 style rifle with 5.56 ammunition, legally purchased by his father.

Reports indicate the purchase was made either six months or several years ago, and the rifle was registered to his father, who owned 20 guns, all kept in their home. This type of weapon is common in the U.S., with about one in 20 adults owning one. Pennsylvania requires background checks for long gun purchases from firearm dealers but not from private sellers, and there is no requirement for gun owners to store their weapons safely. Additionally, Pennsylvania allows young people to openly carry rifles in emergencies.

Given these circumstances, can Crooks' parents be held legally responsible? The comparison is often made to Jennifer and James Crumbley, the parents of the Oxford High School shooter in Michigan, who were convicted of involuntary manslaughter for their role in their son's actions. However, there are significant differences. Ethan Crumbley, the Oxford shooter, was 15, and Michigan law imposes a duty on parents to care for their minor children. The Crumbleys were found to have breached this duty recklessly, contributing to their son's actions.

Thomas Crooks, however, was 20 years old, legally an adult, which complicates the issue. In Pennsylvania, similar to Michigan, there is no legal duty for parents to care for a healthy adult child. Langton notes that, while Crooks lived with his parents, this does not equate to legal liability. Pennsylvania's involuntary manslaughter law states that a person is guilty when an unlawful act results in a death due to recklessness or gross negligence.

In conclusion, while the circumstances are tragic and the emotional toll on the families involved is immense, it appears unlikely that Thomas Crooks' parents will face legal charges for his actions, given his age and the legal standards in place.