The Two Men Who Targeted Donald Trump: A Deep Dive Into The 2024 Assassination Attempts
The question of "who shot Donald Trump" has an answer rooted in two distinct, shocking incidents of political violence that gripped the nation during the 2024 presidential election cycle. As of today, December 22, 2025, the narrative is split between the immediate, fatal action of a young man in Pennsylvania and the subsequent, calculated attempt by a convicted individual in Florida.
The former President was the target of two separate, high-profile assassination attempts in 2024, a chilling development that underscored the escalating political tensions in the United States. The first incident resulted in Donald Trump being wounded, while the second led to a swift guilty verdict against the perpetrator. This is a comprehensive look at the two men responsible and the full context of these unprecedented events.
The Men Behind the Attacks: Thomas Crooks and Ryan Routh
The two individuals who executed the 2024 assassination attempts on Donald Trump came from vastly different backgrounds, yet both are now permanently etched into the history of American political violence. One is a deceased student from Pennsylvania; the other, a convicted activist from Florida.
Thomas Matthew Crooks: The Butler Rally Shooter Profile
- Full Name: Thomas Matthew Crooks
- Date of Birth: September 20, 2003
- Date of Death: July 13, 2024 (Died at the scene)
- Age at Death: 20 years old
- Hometown: Bethel Park, Pennsylvania
- Education: Graduated from the Community College of Allegheny County with an associate degree in engineering science.
- Weapon Used: AR-15-style rifle.
- Motive (Under Investigation): Remains officially unconfirmed, though investigators have analyzed his digital footprint for clues.
Ryan Wesley Routh: The Florida Golf Course Assailant Profile
- Full Name: Ryan Wesley Routh
- Date of Birth: February 18, 1966
- Age: 59 years old (as of December 2025)
- Hometown: Jupiter, Florida
- Occupation: Roofer and political activist.
- Legal Status: Found guilty on all counts of attempted assassination of a presidential candidate.
- Incident Date: September 15, 2024
- Weapon Used: Two AK-47 style rifles and a Glock handgun were found in his vehicle.
The July 13, 2024, Butler, PA, Shooting: The Wound and the Response
The first and most direct answer to "who shot Donald Trump" is Thomas Crooks, who executed his attack at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024. This incident was a stark moment of political violence that fundamentally altered the 2024 election cycle.
The Attack Details
The former President was delivering a speech when Crooks opened fire from the roof of a nearby warehouse, approximately 400 feet from the stage.
The shooter fired eight rounds from an AR-15-style rifle. One of those rounds struck Donald Trump, wounding him in the upper right ear.
The swift action of a Secret Service Counter Assault Team (CAT) operator was crucial. The agent immediately fired back, killing Thomas Crooks at the scene and neutralizing the threat within seconds of the first shot.
This event marked the first time in modern U.S. history that a former or sitting president was injured in an assassination attempt. The immediate aftermath saw Trump quickly taken off stage, only to return minutes later with blood visible on his ear and neck, a moment that became a defining image of the campaign.
The September 15, 2024, Florida Attempt: The Conviction of Ryan Routh
Just two months after the Butler rally shooting, a second, separate assassination attempt occurred while Donald Trump was playing golf at his West Palm Beach golf club in Florida. This second incident involved Ryan Routh, a man whose actions were quickly investigated and brought to trial.
The Incident and Investigation
On September 15, 2024, Routh allegedly fired multiple shots in the direction of the former President while he was on the golf course. Unlike the Pennsylvania incident, Trump was not injured.
The investigation revealed that Ryan Routh had a history of making anti-Trump statements and was found to be in possession of multiple high-powered weapons, including two AK-47 style rifles, a Glock handgun, and hundreds of rounds of ammunition, in his vehicle near the golf course.
The prompt response by law enforcement and the Secret Service led to Routh's immediate apprehension. The FBI officially investigated the incident as an attempted assassination of a presidential candidate.
The Guilty Verdict
In a major legal development, a Florida jury delivered a guilty verdict against Ryan Routh on all charges related to the attempted assassination. The Department of Justice (DOJ) successfully argued that Routh intended to kill the former President.
The conviction of Ryan Routh serves as a rare legal conclusion to an assassination attempt in the United States, underscoring the severity with which authorities are treating threats to political figures in the current climate of heightened political violence.
Topical Authority: The Context of Political Violence in the 2024 Election Cycle
These two attempts on Donald Trump’s life did not occur in a vacuum; they are viewed by security experts and political analysts as part of a disturbing trend of escalating political violence surrounding the 2024 United States presidential election.
The Role of Rhetoric and Extremism
The intense political polarization and inflammatory rhetoric used by both political sides have been cited as contributing factors to an environment where individuals feel justified in resorting to violence. The events of July and September 2024 have been used as stark examples in discussions about the fragility of democratic norms and the dangers of political extremism.
The Secret Service and Security Failures
The incidents have also prompted a massive review of Secret Service protocols and security measures. The fact that Thomas Crooks was able to position himself on a rooftop and fire on a presidential candidate has led to intense scrutiny from a House panel, which found the Butler assassination event preventable in an interim report.
The security breaches highlight the immense difficulty of protecting high-profile political figures, especially during large, open-air campaign rallies. The subsequent quick response and neutralization of Crooks, however, were widely praised as a heroic act that prevented further tragedy.
Aftermath and Long-Term Implications
The attempted assassinations have had lasting effects on American politics and security. The immediate consequence was a significant tightening of security around all major political candidates, transforming campaign events into even more heavily fortified environments.
For Donald Trump, the attacks became a central part of his campaign narrative, often used to frame himself as a target of political opposition. For the nation, the two events stand as a chilling reminder of the dangers inherent in a deeply divided political landscape. The conviction of Ryan Routh and the detailed investigation into Thomas Crooks’s background ensure that the two men who targeted Donald Trump will remain critical figures in the history of U.S. political security.
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