A 20-year-old from suburban Pittsburgh, Thomas Crooks, attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump, leaving investigators puzzled about his motives.
The New York Post reported that authorities have turned their attention to Crooks' laptop after finding no clear answers on his phone, despite gathering some details about his actions leading up to the attack.
This is a surprising development as in today's age of social media, someone like Crooks having no social media presence or information betraying a motive is a stretch. Many are already questioning if federal agencies are hiding something from the public.
The incident occurred at 6:11 p.m. on Saturday in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Earlier in the day, Thomas Crooks purchased 50 rounds of ammunition from Allegheny Arms & Gun Works and a metal ladder from Home Depot. The items he purchased played a crucial role in his assassination attempt.
Crooks used the ladder to climb to the roof of a factory that provided a clear sight-line to Trump's podium. The AR-style assault rifle he used in the attempt belonged to his father, Matthew Brian Crooks. Matthew, who is a licensed counselor and Libertarian voter, reported his son and the gun missing on the very same day.
The young assailant lived in a modest suburban home in Bethel Park, roughly 25 minutes south of Pittsburgh. Crooks had graduated from Bethel Park High School in 2022. Jim Knapp, who was the school counselor at Bethel Park High School until his retirement in 2022, described Crooks as "quiet as a churchmouse" and respectful. He added that Crooks kept to himself, though he had a few friends.
According to Knapp, Crooks wasn't needy and wasn’t subjected to bullying or name-calling. “Anybody could snap, anybody could have issues,” Knapp said. “Something triggered that young man and drove him to drive up to Butler yesterday and do what he did.”
Despite this, Crooks was not known to have any political leanings or disciplinary issues in school. This adds to the ongoing mystery surrounding his motives.
On Monday, investigators questioned Crooks’ parents and reached out to neighbors in Bethel Park. Neighbor Kelly Little mentioned Thomas had an older sister named Katherine, but there were no further details provided about her.
Authorities hoped that Crooks' phone would provide some insight into his motivations. However, the examination yielded no clear answers. As a result, investigators are now focusing on his laptop, hoping it will reveal more about his state of mind and potential influences leading up to the assassination attempt.
The authorities' decision to turn their attention to Crooks' laptop underscores the complexities and challenges they face in understanding his motives. While they have pieced together his activities on the day of the attempt, the rationale behind these actions remains elusive.
The neighborhood where Crooks lived is grappling with the tragic events. Bethel Park is known for its quiet suburban atmosphere, making the assassination attempt all the more shocking to its residents.
Crooks' former school counselor, Jim Knapp, expressed the sentiment of many who knew the young man. “Kids weren’t calling him names, kids weren’t bullying him. Anybody could snap, anybody could have issues,” he said. This suggests a level of disbelief and concern within the community.
Authorities remain puzzled by the motives of Thomas Crooks, the 20-year-old who attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump.
While his phone provided no clear answers, investigators are now examining his laptop for potential clues to understand what drove him to commit such a drastic act.
Crooks' actions on the day of the incident, the items he purchased, and his use of his father's gun are known, but the reasons behind these actions remain unclear. The focus on his laptop represents the ongoing effort to uncover the truth behind this disturbing event.
