FBI Documents Uncover Warning Signs Before Trump Assassination Attempt
WHO:
NBC News - Thomas Matthew Crooks was described by an employee at Keystone Shooting Center as “an odd duck” and “not someone they would want their daughter to spend time with.”
NBC News - Crooks' father, Matthew Crooks, stated that his son perfected his aim over five years but showed no interest in outdoorsmanship.
Fox News - Thomas Crooks was identified as the would-be assassin of President Trump.
NBC News - Crooks was a 20-year-old engineering student.
NBC News - Crooks' father is named Matthew Crooks.
NBC News - One attendee at the rally was killed, and two others were injured during the gunfire.
WHAT:
NBC News - Witnesses reported that Thomas Crooks was making "hateful comments" about Trump before the assassination attempt.
Fox News - Crooks had a Snapchat account with the username "tom_crooks19," which may contain recoverable evidence according to a retired FBI agent.
Fox News - An Amazon account and a Mailfence account were also linked to Crooks, with the latter being logged into multiple times between April 15, 2024, and July 8, 2024.
NBC News - Crooks was last spotted at Bethel Park Nursing and Rehab on July 12, the day before the assassination attempt, where he asked for the next day off and volunteered to work on July 14 instead.
NBC News - Crooks was described by colleagues as an “‘odd, young kid’ who was sweet and ‘down to earth.’”
NBC News - Crooks attempted to assassinate President Trump during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
NBC News - Crooks fired eight shots from an AR-15-style rifle at Trump.
NBC News - Trump was struck in the ear during the attack.
NBC News - Crooks practiced a 100-yard shot the day before the assassination attempt.
NBC News - The FBI documents comprise 600 pages of interviews and reports related to Crooks.
WHERE:
NBC News - The assassination attempt occurred at the Butler Farm Show grounds in Butler, Pennsylvania.
NBC News - Crooks practiced shooting at the Clairton Sportsmen’s Club and Keystone Shooting Center outside Pittsburgh.
WHEN:
NBC News - The assassination attempt occurred on July 13, 2024.
NBC News - Crooks had been practicing shooting on average once a week leading up to the attack.
WHY:
NBC News - Crooks became increasingly withdrawn from his family and showed no interest in outdoorsmanship, according to his father.
NBC News - Crooks was critical of both political parties despite being a registered Republican and donated $15 to the Democrat-run Progressive Turnout Project in 2021.
NBC News - Crooks developed an obsession with firearms during the Covid pandemic.
NBC News - Crooks expressed a critical view of both political parties despite being a registered Republican.
HOW:
NBC News - Crooks was described as having an inconsistent sleep schedule and sometimes pacing in the middle of the night, according to a former roommate.
NBC News - Crooks created a home security camera using a Raspberry Pi, which was originally used to teach computer science.
NBC News - Crooks used an AR-15-style rifle to carry out the assassination attempt.
NBC News - Crooks ordered gun parts online using the pseudonym Bob Dole.
NBC News - Crooks was described as a "terrible shot" initially but improved through practice.
(UPDATED September 16, 2026 22:01 UTC)
Witnesses have reported that Thomas Crooks was making hateful comments about Trump before an assassination attempt, raising serious concerns about his state of mind. According to a retired FBI agent, Crooks had a Snapchat account with the username "tom_crooks19," which may contain recoverable evidence, along with links to an Amazon account and a Mailfence account that showed activity between April 15, 2024, and July 8, 2024. His father noted that Crooks had become increasingly withdrawn from family life and lost interest in outdoor activities, while a former roommate described him as having an inconsistent sleep schedule and sometimes pacing during the night.
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(UPDATED September 16, 2026 14:59 UTC)
Thomas Matthew Crooks, described by an employee at Keystone Shooting Center as “an odd duck,” was last seen at Bethel Park Nursing and Rehab on July 12, where he requested a day off for July 13 and volunteered to work on July 14 instead. His father noted that Crooks honed his shooting skills over five years but had little interest in outdoor activities, while colleagues referred to him as a sweet and down-to-earth young man. Despite being a registered Republican, Crooks was critical of both political parties and made a $15 donation to the Democrat-run Progressive Turnout Project in 2021.
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(UPDATED September 16, 2026 11:58 UTC)
Thomas Crooks, a 20-year-old engineering student, has been identified as the would-be assassin of President Trump, who was shot at during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Crooks fired eight shots from an AR-15-style rifle, striking Trump in the ear, while one attendee was killed and two others were injured in the chaos. The FBI has compiled 600 pages of documents detailing Crooks' obsession with firearms, which developed during the Covid pandemic, and his practice sessions leading up to the attack.