In the two days leading up to his assault on former President Donald Trump, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks carried out a series of activities in his suburban Pittsburgh hometown that have left investigators piecing together his motives and timeline.
On Friday, Crooks visited a local shooting range, where he was a member, to practice firing. The following morning, he stopped by Home Depot to purchase a five-foot ladder and then visited a gun store, where he bought 50 rounds of ammunition. That day, Crooks drove his Hyundai Sonata to Butler, Pennsylvania, joining thousands at Trump’s rally. He parked his car near the event, with an improvised explosive device hidden in the trunk, wired to a transmitter he carried. Investigators believe he used the ladder to scale a nearby building, where he opened fire on Trump.
As authorities investigate the attempted assassination, they remain perplexed by the lack of clear motives. Despite accessing Crooks’ phone, computer, and search history, and interviewing his family and friends, they have found no evidence suggesting a political or ideological motive. Instead, Crooks’ online activities indicated an interest in computer coding and gaming, raising more questions.
Crooks was found with a remote-control detonator, and his car contained a metal box of explosives connected to a receiver, suggesting he might have planned to set off an explosion remotely, possibly as a distraction during the shooting. However, investigators have not found any indication that he researched homemade explosives online.
The AR-style rifle Crooks used was legally purchased by his father, Matthew Crooks, and was among over 20 firearms registered to him, all legally obtained. Both father and son were members of the Clairton Sportsmen’s Club, where they frequently went shooting together. The club, which features a rifle range longer than the distance from which Crooks fired at Trump, condemned the violence.
Crooks bought the ammunition at Allegheny Arms and Gun Works, a local store in Bethel Park. The store owner expressed relief that Trump was not assassinated and extended condolences to the victims. Home Depot, where Crooks bought the ladder, also condemned the violence and offered thoughts to the victims and their families.
Matthew Crooks did not respond to requests for comment. Before his son’s involvement was confirmed, he expressed confusion and indicated he would wait to speak with law enforcement. The FBI, having accessed Thomas Crooks’ cell phone, still struggles to understand his motivations. His parents, cooperating with authorities, indicated Crooks had no friends or apparent political leanings, adding to the mystery surrounding his actions.