The FBI revealed on Monday that Thomas Matthew Crooks, the individual who attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump, had a strong interest in science and conducted experiments. Due to this, his family did not express concerns about the various packages he received at their residence. Crooks, who is 20 years old, made multiple gun-related purchases online and bought materials for explosives using aliases. Despite these actions, his family was not alarmed as they believed his focus was on harmless experimentation.
Special Agent Kevin Rojek stated that Crooks’ parents have been cooperative with the investigation and claimed they had no prior knowledge of his intentions. The FBI is currently conducting further inquiries to verify this information. Rojek also mentioned that Crooks’ social circle was mainly limited to his family, as he had few friends and minimal interactions on gaming platforms. The agency’s behavioral analysis experts described Crooks as highly intelligent, attending college and holding a steady job. However, he did not seek professional help or take any prescribed medication.
Crooks’ online activities included searches on power plants, mass shootings, improvised explosive devices, U.S. elected officials, and the attempted assassination of the Slovakian prime minister. The FBI is analyzing his social media accounts from various devices to gather more information. Despite the disturbing nature of his searches and purchases, his family remained unaware of his plans to harm others.
Matthew Crooks, Thomas’ father, was seen leaving a Pittsburgh office building containing two law firms but declined to comment on whether any warning signs were noticed before the assassination attempt. The FBI emphasized that they are not ruling out any possibilities regarding the investigation and are diligently examining all aspects of Crooks’ life. They continue to work on uncovering the motives behind his actions and determining if there were any overlooked indicators that could have prevented the tragic events that unfolded.
The case of Thomas Matthew Crooks serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and communication within families, especially when concerning potentially harmful behavior. It also highlights the challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in identifying and preventing such acts of violence before they occur. As the investigation progresses, more details may emerge that shed light on the circumstances leading up to the attempted assassination and provide insight into how similar incidents can be prevented in the future.
