Investigation findings have revealed that Thomas Crooks, who attempted to assassinate former President Trump, had researched high school shooter Ethan Crumbley before the assassination attempt. Crumbley, now 18 years old, is currently serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole for killing four students and injuring seven others at Oxford High School in Michigan back in November 2021 when he was only 15 years old.
Crooks reportedly looked up information about Crumbley before carrying out the attempted assassination at Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania on July 13. Crooks’ online search history also included terms such as “depressive disorder,” Trump, Biden, and the Democratic National Convention, as reported by The New York Times.
Prosecutors in Crumbley’s case argued that his parents, James and Jennifer Crumbley, failed to properly secure their guns and home, and neglected to get their son the help he needed prior to the tragic school shooting. They even visited the school administrators on the same day of the shooting to discuss their son’s disturbing drawings.
After cracking Crooks’ phone, investigators discovered his search history, which included images of Trump and Biden, as well as details about his mental health. The FBI conducted 200 interviews and analyzed 14,000 images on Crooks’ phone to gather more information about the case.
During a congressional hearing, FBI Director Christopher Wray shared the findings of the investigation, revealing that federal officials are still working to determine the motive behind Crooks’ assassination attempt. The incident resulted in the death of Corey Comperatore, while two others, David “Jake” Dutch and James Copenhaver, were critically wounded but are now in stable condition.
It was also disclosed that Crooks had visited the rally site at least once before the shooting occurred. The investigation into this case is ongoing, with authorities trying to establish a clearer motive for Crooks’ actions.
The connection between Crooks and Crumbley sheds some light on the complexities of these tragic events and underscores the importance of understanding the factors that lead individuals to commit such heinous acts. The significance of thorough investigations and preventative measures in addressing these issues cannot be overstated, as they play a crucial role in safeguarding communities and preventing future tragedies.
