Investigators piece together a puzzling portrait of the shooter who sought to assassinate Trump
In some ways, Thomas Crooks seems similar to other young men who’ve wreaked havoc across the US with high-powered assault-style rifles, officials say.
After more than 200 interviews and a deep dive into his digital footprint, federal investigators are piecing together a preliminary portrait of Thomas Matthew Crooks, the man who attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump. Described as intelligent and unassuming, Crooks was a loner who harbored an interest in guns but kept his political views largely to himself. While the motive for his attack remains unclear, investigators speculate that Crooks' actions may have been driven less by political ideology and more by a desire to target a high-profile figure, given his proximity to the event.
The investigation is still in its early stages, but Crooks shares some similarities with other young men who have carried out devastating attacks in recent years. He had few close friends, frequently visited a local firing range, and did not outwardly express strong political views that might suggest a politically motivated assassination attempt, according to CNN interviews and a review of briefing notes to Congress. In addition to Trump, Crooks had searched online for President Joe Biden and had photos of prominent figures from both parties on his phone. He also searched for the locations of Trump's rally and the upcoming Democratic National Convention, suggesting he may have been planning a high-profile shooting and seized the opportunity presented by the nearby Trump event.
Federal officials speculate that Crooks may have sought infamy through a high-profile attack, and Trump's proximity made him the most accessible target. The fact that Crooks did not successfully reach his primary target, Trump, does not diminish the seriousness of the threat, as highlighted by a federal official who noted the rarity of successfully assassinating a presidential candidate in recent decades. The investigation also revealed that Crooks searched for information about another mass shooter, Ethan Crumbley, who killed four classmates in Michigan in 2021, a pattern consistent with mass shooters seeking to emulate previous attackers.
However, Crooks' behavior also diverges from the typical mass shooter profile in several ways. On the day of the attack, he appeared to specifically target Trump rather than aiming to kill as many people as possible. While he had an improvised explosive in his car, its intended purpose remains unclear. Former FBI behavioral analyst Kathleen Puckett noted that Crooks seemed less prepared for an assault compared to other mass shooters, carrying less firepower and appearing more focused on exploiting a perceived window of vulnerability.
The lack of explanatory writings or obvious political ideology makes Crooks' case particularly challenging to understand, drawing comparisons to Stephen Paddock, the Las Vegas gunman whose motive remains unknown years after the deadliest mass shooting in modern US history. Investigators are left searching for clues to piece together Crooks' mindset, underscoring the complex nature of lone offender cases, where individuals often remain invisible to authorities until they carry out their attacks. As experts caution against simplistic explanations, the investigation continues to unravel the complex motivations behind Crooks' attempted assassination.
The investigation is still in its early stages, but Crooks shares some similarities with other young men who have carried out devastating attacks in recent years. He had few close friends, frequently visited a local firing range, and did not outwardly express strong political views that might suggest a politically motivated assassination attempt, according to CNN interviews and a review of briefing notes to Congress. In addition to Trump, Crooks had searched online for President Joe Biden and had photos of prominent figures from both parties on his phone. He also searched for the locations of Trump's rally and the upcoming Democratic National Convention, suggesting he may have been planning a high-profile shooting and seized the opportunity presented by the nearby Trump event.
Federal officials speculate that Crooks may have sought infamy through a high-profile attack, and Trump's proximity made him the most accessible target. The fact that Crooks did not successfully reach his primary target, Trump, does not diminish the seriousness of the threat, as highlighted by a federal official who noted the rarity of successfully assassinating a presidential candidate in recent decades. The investigation also revealed that Crooks searched for information about another mass shooter, Ethan Crumbley, who killed four classmates in Michigan in 2021, a pattern consistent with mass shooters seeking to emulate previous attackers.
However, Crooks' behavior also diverges from the typical mass shooter profile in several ways. On the day of the attack, he appeared to specifically target Trump rather than aiming to kill as many people as possible. While he had an improvised explosive in his car, its intended purpose remains unclear. Former FBI behavioral analyst Kathleen Puckett noted that Crooks seemed less prepared for an assault compared to other mass shooters, carrying less firepower and appearing more focused on exploiting a perceived window of vulnerability.
The lack of explanatory writings or obvious political ideology makes Crooks' case particularly challenging to understand, drawing comparisons to Stephen Paddock, the Las Vegas gunman whose motive remains unknown years after the deadliest mass shooting in modern US history. Investigators are left searching for clues to piece together Crooks' mindset, underscoring the complex nature of lone offender cases, where individuals often remain invisible to authorities until they carry out their attacks. As experts caution against simplistic explanations, the investigation continues to unravel the complex motivations behind Crooks' attempted assassination.