East Central Reporter

State Representative Adam Niemerg shared an update on the shooting at former President Donald Trump's rally in Pennsylvania, stating that "a suspect has been named in the attempt on former President Trump's life." He made the statement in a July 15 Facebook post.

"A suspect has been named in the attempt on former President Trump's life," said Adam M Niemerg, State Representative for 102nd District (R), according to Facebook. "Here's what we know so far."

In his Facebook post, Niemerg shared a link to a PBS article that announced the FBI naming the suspect. According to PBS, on July 14, the FBI identified the gunman as Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. Crooks graduated from Bethel Park High School in 2022 and had won an award for math and science that year. Records show that Crooks was registered as a Republican. He was not carrying any identification when he attended the event, so authorities had to use DNA and other methods to identify him.

Screenshot of Rep. Adam Niemerg's July 15 Facebook post | State Representative Adam Niemerg Facebook page

As former President Trump spoke about border crossing numbers, shooter Thomas Matthew Crooks fired as many as eight shots, according to an ABC News timeline of events. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) identified Crooks after rally attendees saw him climb to the roof of a building 400 meters from where Trump spoke but outside the perimeter. When the shots started, Trump reached for his right ear, then looked at his hand and crouched behind the lectern. As the Secret Service attempted to shield Trump, he stood and pumped his fist to the crowd before being hustled off stage.

The FBI is investigating the rally attack as an act of domestic terrorism, according to a July 14 report from the Associated Press (AP). Although authorities have identified Crooks as the gunman, his motive remains unknown, and they believe he acted alone. The AP reported that Crooks used an AR-style rifle registered to his father during the incident. A local law enforcement officer found Crooks but retreated after Crooks pointed his rifle at him. Law enforcement found bomb-making materials in Crooks' vehicle and home; his family is cooperating with authorities.

Niemerg was first elected in 2020. He describes himself as a "fiscal conservative focused on reducing taxes and fighting for limited government and pension reform," according to his official biography. He is a senior claims adjuster with Country Financial and holds a bachelor's degree from Eastern Illinois University.