A horrifying attack unfolded in Butler, Pennsylvania this past weekend when a gunman shot multiple people while attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump.

The story grew even more shocking following reports that the alleged shooting had explosives in his vehicle. 

More explosives turn up during search of home

According to Forbes, federal agents discovered the material in a car belonging to 20-year-old Bethel Park, Pennsylvania resident Thomas Matthew Crooks.

CNN cited multiple unnamed law enforcement sources as saying that more explosives along bomb making devices turned up during a search of the home which Crooks shared with his parents.

Details concerning Crooks are scarce, with The Intercept contributor Prem Thakker noting that while Crooks was a registered Republican, he also donated to a left-wing political fundraising organization known as ActBlue the day President Joe Biden was inaugurated.

FBI officially identifies shooter as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20 of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania.
Voter records show Crooks was a registered Republican who made one singular $15 donation to a liberal PAC on January 20, 2021 — Biden’s Inauguration Day. pic.twitter.com/orEO4hq1PS

— Prem Thakker (@prem_thakker) July 14, 2024

Matthew Crooks is the alleged shooter's father, and he told CNN that he would "wait until I talk to law enforcement" before addressing the matter publicly.

Hero firefighter praised for protecting family

While the assassin failed in his attempt to murder Trump, one of the bullets he fired struck and killed 50-year-old volunteer firefighter Corey Comperatore.

The BBC reported that Comperatore died while flinging himself on to his wife and daughter as soon as the shooting started, an act which was praised by Pennsylvania Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro.

"Corey died a hero," Shapiro was quoted as telling reporters at a press conference on Sunday. "Corey went to church every Sunday. Corey loved his community. Most especially, Corey loved his family."

"Corey was the very best of us. May his memory be a blessing. Last night was shocking… political disagreements can never, ever be addressed through violence," the governor added.

"The best dad a girl could ever ask for"

Allyson Comperatore is the victim's daughter, and she described her father as being "the best dad a girl could ever ask for," stressing that he had "died a real-life superhero."

Allyson recalled how her father "threw my mom and I to the ground... [and] shielded my body from the bullet that came at us."

Helen Comperatore is Mr. Comperatore's widow, and she lamented her husband's death, stating, "What my precious girls had to witness is unforgivable."