post Share in thread Thomas Matthew Crooks, the suspect who opened fire at a rally for former President and 2024 Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, has been arrested multiple times.

Posted by @politicsbytabitha

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Verdict: False

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said in a statement on July 14 that Crooks was not previously known to the agency, and there is no other evidence to suggest that Crooks has ever been arrested or arrested multiple times.

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Crooks' father, Matthew Crooks, reportedly called police after he noticed his son and an AR-style rifle missing following the shooting at the Trump rally. IndependentThe outlet quoted the FBI as saying Crooks' father owns “more than 12 firearms.”

A post in the thread, which has over 500 likes as of this writing, said Crooks has been arrested multiple times. “Look at the photo they shared of this deplorable, an innocent looking high school photo…This guy is a troublemaker and has been arrested multiple times so why don't they share a mug shot of the suspect? We know why!!” the post reads.

However, this claim is false. July 14th Statement According to information released by the FBI following the shooting at the Trump rally, Crooks was not previously known to the bureau. Another statementThe statement released on July 15 said the FBI's investigation into Crooks is ongoing and includes an analysis of his electronic devices, but did not say anything about his criminal history. (Related article: Did Donald Trump say in July 2015, “I like a president who doesn't get shot?”)

Additionally, the Bethel Park Police Department in Pennsylvania Not yet publicly Commented Regarding the claims made in the thread post, Check Your Facts also found: Trusted news coverage This suggests that Crooks was arrested multiple times, when in fact the opposite is true. PolitiFact It reported that the allegations were false.

Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, reportedly opened fire at a Trump rally in Butler on July 13. BBCThe 20-year-old suspect is believed to have used an AR-style rifle purchased by his father in the shooting that killed one protester. Crooks was described by his high school classmates as “quiet and lonely,” according to the media. The shooter's motive is not yet known.

Check Your Fact has reached out to the FBI and Bethel Park Police for comment and will update this article accordingly if and when they do.