Newly disclosed federal records shed light on the developing interest in firearms held by Thomas Matthew Crooks, the individual who attempted to assassinate President Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024. These documents, reviewed by the New York Post and provided to Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), detail Crooks' behavior and his father's observations in the months leading up to the attack.
"He had ulterior motives, which became apparent the minute he pulled that trigger." Matthew Crooks, Father of Thomas Crooks.
According to the federal records, Crooks' father, Matthew Crooks, frequently changed the combination to his gun safe. He took this precaution after noticing his son observing him as he entered the code. Despite these efforts, on the morning of the attack, Matthew Crooks personally retrieved a Panther Arms A-15 rifle from the safe and gave it to his son. He reportedly believed Thomas intended to visit a shooting range, a common activity for the younger Crooks. Hours later, the 20-year-old used that same rifle to fire eight rounds toward President Trump from the roof of a building outside the rally's security perimeter.
The records indicate that Matthew Crooks had witnessed concerning behavior from his son shortly before the incident. On July 7, just six days prior to the attack, Matthew observed Thomas through a home surveillance camera. The younger Crooks was seen cleaning a firearm in the family's garage, pacing, moving his arms "up and down," and speaking frantically, making little sense. Matthew also recalled an "odd" conversation in which Thomas inquired about the necessity of a background check to purchase his father's Glock pistol.
Investigators learned that firearms had become a frequent topic in the limited conversations between father and son. Matthew told federal agents that his son's interest in guns began during the COVID-19 pandemic. Initially, Thomas was described as a "terrible" shooter, struggling to hit paper targets. An FBI summary of Matthew’s interview stated, "He could not hit the paper." The father estimated that Thomas practiced for four or five years, eventually becoming capable of reliably hitting a target. Federal records also noted Crooks' developing interest in long-range shooting.
Beyond the immediate family observations, the federal investigation uncovered other facets of Crooks' activities. Investigators determined that the Panther Arms A-15 rifle used in the attack was legally purchased by Crooks' father. The FBI had stated early in its investigation that Crooks appeared to have acted alone and was not known to the bureau prior to the incident. Other federal documents revealed that Crooks used the alias "Bob Dole" when purchasing firearm-related products online. Investigators identified at least 35 digital accounts associated with him, including foreign email addresses, although the FBI found no evidence of foreign direction or involvement. Additionally, Crooks reportedly attempted to produce a Glock-style handgun using a 3D printer.
The day before the assassination attempt, Crooks practiced at a shooting range. On the morning of July 13, he purchased 50 rounds of ammunition and drove alone to the Butler Farm Show grounds, according to an intelligence briefing obtained by the Associated Press. Federal investigators later recovered explosive devices from Crooks' vehicle and residence. However, these devices were found to be incapable of detonating in their assembled state.
The assassination attempt resulted in significant casualties. One bullet struck President Trump in the right ear, causing injury. Rally attendee Corey Comperatore was killed, and David Dutch and James Copenhaver sustained serious injuries. A Secret Service counter-sniper swiftly neutralized Crooks seconds after he opened fire. Despite the extensive investigation, federal authorities have not publicly identified a definitive motive for Crooks' actions. Matthew Crooks told investigators that his son had shown little apparent political interest and had never expressed any plans to attack President Trump. Records indicate Crooks was registered as a Republican but had made a small donation to a progressive voter-turnout organization. The ongoing investigation by Sen. Grassley and federal agencies continues to seek a comprehensive understanding of the events and the motivations behind the attack.
