![\"Donald](\"https:\/\/hollywoodlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/GettyImages-1476355137_c27df2-e1721757666265.jpeg?quality=100&w=384&h=216&crop=1\")
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Thomas Matthew Crooks\u2019 assassination attempt against Donald Trump<\/strong> <\/a>is haunting his family. On Monday, July 22, Crooks\u2019 father, Matthew Brian Crooks, was seen stepping out of a local grocery store and was hounded by reporters and photographers.<\/p>\n \u201cWe just want to try to take care of ourselves right now. Please, just give us our space,\u201d he said, according to multiple outlets<\/a>. \u201cWe\u2019re going to release a statement when our legal counsel advises us to do so. Until then, we have no comment.\u201d<\/p>\n Earlier this month, 20-year-old Crooks tried to assassinate Trump, 78, after climbing on top of a nearby building during a campaign rally around Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13. While the Republican nominee spoke to supporters at the event, shots were fired, and several crowd members quickly ducked. Trump was visibly grazed in the ear by a bullet, and he covered it before blood was seen on the right side of his face. Secret Service members promptly assisted Trump and escorted him off stage and into a vehicle.<\/p>\n Crooks\u2019 motives remain unknown. He died at the scene, according to multiple outlets. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is looking into the deceased shooter\u2019s intentions. His political affiliations are also unclear. In early 2021, Crooks reportedly donated $15 to the liberal group Progressive Turnout Project but later that year, he registered to vote as a Republican.<\/p>\n Trump attended the Republican National Committee\u2019s week-long event shortly thereafter, where he wore a bandage over his ear.<\/p>\n On Monday, July 22, Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle<\/strong><\/a> was grilled by both Republicans and Democrats during a televised hearing about the lack of security at Trump\u2019s previous rally. Cheatle resigned the following day.<\/p>\n \u201cIn light of recent events, it is with a heavy heart that I have made the difficult decision to step down as your Director,\u201d she wrote in an email, according to NBC News<\/a>. In the message, Cheatle took \u201cfull responsibility for the security lapse\u201d at Trump\u2019s rally and pointed out that the \u201cscrutiny over the last week has been intense and will continue to remain as our operational tempo increases.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n