Federal investigators have released new details about Thomas Matthew Crooks, the 20-year-old gunman who attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump at a July 2024 campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Newly confirmed details include:
- Crooks used the alias 'Bob Dole' while ordering suspicious packages prior to the shooting, according to federal documents reviewed by multiple outlets.
- An anonymous donor paid for Crooks' cremation following his death at the scene, the documents state.
The revelations come from FBI interview notes with Crooks' father, Matthew Crooks, provided to Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley as part of an ongoing investigation into the July 13, 2024, shooting. The documents offer insights into Crooks' childhood behavior, online activities, and the lack of a clear motive for the attack.
Key Findings from FBI Documents
FBI interviews with Crooks' father describe his son as unusually quiet since birth, noting that he did not cry when born and remained reserved throughout his life. Matthew Crooks told investigators that his son rarely displayed strong emotions, seldom laughed, and was difficult to read. He described Thomas as someone who rarely identified anyone as a friend during middle school and high school, despite occasional social interactions with classmates.
Crooks' academic performance contrasted with his social behavior. His father stated that Thomas scored 1400 on his first SAT attempt without studying, later improving to a 1500. Despite his intelligence, Crooks struggled with communication and exhibited behaviors that concerned his parents, including talking to himself and becoming increasingly reserved in high school. His father suspected ADHD during his childhood and noted incidents of acting out, such as damaging a school desk out of boredom and briefly associating with a group his father described as "bad."
Online Activity and Pseudonym Use
According to the documents, Crooks adopted the 'Bob Dole' alias after his father's checking account was hacked, leading to fraudulent gambling charges. His father told investigators that Thomas frequently collected packages addressed to this alias while his father was at work late. The purpose of these packages remains unclear in the released documents.
Following the shooting, an anonymous donor arranged for Crooks' body to be cremated, according to the FBI files. The documents do not specify the donor's identity or motivation for covering the funeral expenses.
Investigation and Aftermath
The FBI's investigation into the shooting continues, with no definitive motive established for Crooks' actions. The documents indicate that his family was surprised by his involvement in the attack, describing him as someone who never showed signs of distress leading up to the incident. Crooks' parents, Matthew and Mary Crooks, took leave from work in the aftermath of the shooting to process the situation.
The shooting resulted in one fatality, Corey Comperatore, a Trump supporter, and two others injured. Crooks was killed by Secret Service counter-snipers after opening fire from a nearby rooftop. The incident has prompted scrutiny of security measures at political events, with a subsequent watchdog report identifying multiple missed opportunities by the Secret Service to prevent the attack.