Newly released bodycam footage and FBI interviews reveal the confusion and complexities surrounding the attempted assassination of former President Trump by Thomas Matthew Crooks. Investigators continue to piece together Crooks' motive and mental state as questions remain about the security lapse that allowed him to armed himself and reach the rooftop of the building where Trump was speaking.
In the aftermath of the chilling attempted assassination of former President Trump at a Butler, Pennsylvania rally, authorities are struggling to unravel the complexities of the gunman, Thomas Matthew Crooks. Bodycam footage from Butler Township Police has sparked questions about why the roof of the AGR building, where Crooks fired upon Trump, was left unmanned, highlighting a potential security breach that could have catastrophic consequences.
Federal officials, including FBI agents, have met with Trump to share their findings on Crooks, painting a disturbing portrait of a young man with a troubled past and an undiagnosed mental disorder. Despite scoring remarkably high on his SAT exam, indicating intelligence, Crooks exhibited peculiar behaviors, such as swaying back and forth at bus stops, which were never formally attributed to a particular diagnosis.
Thomas Crooks: A Troubled Mind Behind the Attempted Assassination of Trump
The FBI's investigation has revealed that Crooks' motive remains unclear. Searches on his computer and foreign email accounts have uncovered information about weapons and ammunition purchases but have not shed light on what drove him to target the former president. The Trump campaign has not yet commented on the ongoing investigation.
Former classmates and peers have described Crooks as a loner and an outcast, bullied for his unusual behavior and camouflage clothing. Julianna Grooms, who graduated a year after Crooks, recalled his awkward interactions and his habit of wearing hunting attire.
Thomas Crooks: A Troubled Mind Behind the Attempted Assassination of Trump
Sources close to the investigation have disclosed that Trump asked numerous questions during his meeting with the FBI, inquiring about Crooks' motivation, potential foreign connections, and the security lapse that allowed him to access the building's roof. Authorities have accessed Crooks' foreign email accounts but have found no evidence of external involvement in the attack.
The timeline of Crooks' actions leading up to the assassination attempt raises questions about how he evaded security. He reportedly used a fire escape to access the roof, eluding Secret Service agents and local police officers. The bodycam footage from Butler Township Police shows officers expressing confusion and frustration over the lack of security on the rooftop.
Thomas Crooks: A Troubled Mind Behind the Attempted Assassination of Trump
Investigators continue to piece together the events that led to the attempted assassination, aiming to determine what drove Crooks to carry out such a heinous act. The complex portrait of Crooks, described as both intelligent and disturbed, highlights the need for a thorough investigation into his mental health, background, and the security measures that failed to prevent the attack.
