An anonymous donor paid for the cremation of Thomas Matthew Crooks, the 20-year-old gunman who shot Donald Trump in the ear at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, in 2024.
The payment is disclosed in documents released to Senate Judiciary Committee chairman Chuck Grassley. A note at the end of an interview with Crooks’ father states that an “anonymous donor paid for cremation”.
The records indicate Crooks was cremated within days of his death. They also state that his father described himself as “retired”, while his mother was on leave from work.
The documents do not identify who covered the cost. The circumstances may explain why another person stepped in to pay for the cremation, although no reason is given in the material.
Crooks opened fire during Trump’s rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, as the Republican was running for president. The gunman clipped Trump’s ear, killed former volunteer fire chief Corey Comperatore and critically injured two other people, who survived.
Crooks was killed by security personnel shortly after firing into the crowd. The incident was followed by criticism of security arrangements, and Secret Service director Kimberly Cheatle resigned days later.
The FBI has insisted that Crooks acted alone, despite conspiracy theories surrounding the shooting.
