Thomas Matthew Crooks: 5 Unanswered Questions About Would-Be Trump Assassin

On July 13 of last year, a moment that could have rewritten American political history unfolded at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Then-presidential candidate Donald Trump was speaking to a crowd of supporters when a bullet grazed his ear. Bloodied but defiant, Trump raised his fist and shouted “Fight! Fight! Fight!”—a dramatic scene that went viral and immediately galvanized support across his political base.

Within minutes, the shooter—20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks—was shot and killed by Secret Service agents. He had already killed one bystander and wounded two others. Despite a swift response, the incident exposed deep vulnerabilities in the U.S. Secret Service, ultimately leading to the resignation of its then-director, Kimberly Cheatle. A year later, many details about Crooks, his motives, and how he nearly succeeded in carrying out a presidential assassination remain murky.

🧠 Who Was Thomas Matthew Crooks—and Why Did He Do It?

Crooks wasn’t a known political radical or criminal. In fact, he had an impressive academic record and no prior run-ins with law enforcement. An engineering student with top SAT scores, Crooks didn’t fit the profile of someone poised to commit a politically motivated act of violence. He had a minimal digital footprint, no manifesto, and left behind no explanation for his actions.

Investigators combed through his devices, searched his home and car, and reviewed his internet activity. What they found only deepened the mystery. According to reports, Crooks registered as a Republican when he turned 18—but had previously donated a small amount to a Democratic PAC. He spent weeks researching both Trump and Joe Biden online, including a chilling search about President John F. Kennedy’s assassination:

“How far was Oswald from Kennedy?”

Despite thorough investigation, the FBI has not determined a clear motive.

🕵️‍♂️ Did Crooks Have Help?

Though federal investigators insist that Crooks acted alone, speculation persists that he may have been aided—or manipulated—by others.

Private investigator Doug Hagmann, hired independently, claimed his team uncovered electronic devices associated with Crooks that did not belong to him. These devices were allegedly found at locations he frequented, including his high school. Hagmann believes the plot may have involved “handlers,” telling the New York Post:

“This took a lot of coordination. In my view, Crooks was handled by more than one individual and was used for this.”

While the FBI continues to maintain there’s no evidence of accomplices, no formal report has ruled out deeper involvement.

💣 Was a Larger Attack Being Planned?

Evidence from Crooks’ home and car raised alarms about the potential for a broader attack. A crude homemade bomb was discovered in his bedroom, alongside bomb-making materials and additional explosive devices in his vehicle. Investigators also found that Crooks attempted to purchase more than two gallons of nitromethane, a chemical with explosive capabilities.

If his assassination attempt had been part of a larger plan, it was foiled—but no official timeline of Crooks’ intentions has been made public.

⚰️ Why Was Crooks Cremated So Quickly?

Adding fuel to conspiracy theories is the fact that Crooks’ body was cremated just 10 days after the shooting. Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) criticized the FBI, calling the early cremation an act of “obstruction” that may have prevented further forensic analysis.

The FBI dismissed those accusations, saying the body was released in accordance with procedures and in cooperation with the local coroner and law enforcement. Still, the decision left many questioning whether proper investigative protocol was followed.

👪 What Do We Know About His Family?

Very little. Crooks’ parents have avoided all media contact since the incident and are reportedly living in seclusion. Their silence has left investigators and journalists alike with a void of background information about Crooks' upbringing, influences, or mental health history.

What is known is that Crooks lived in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, and attended local schools. He had never shown outward signs of extremism or behavioral red flags, at least not publicly.

🔍 Security Failures and Secret Service Shake-Up

One of the most damning takeaways from the incident was the failure of the Secret Service to detect and neutralize the threat in time. Spectators had reportedly noticed Crooks behaving strangely before the event, yet he managed to reach a rooftop with a rifle and fire on the president—a staggering breach of security.

Following the attack, pressure mounted on the agency. The resignation of Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle was announced amid bipartisan criticism and calls for sweeping reform. An independent panel reviewing the case said the agency was in urgent need of “fundamental restructuring.”

🇺🇸 Legacy of the Attempted Assassination

In the aftermath of the attack, Trump credited divine intervention for his survival, stating publicly, “God alone stopped the bullet.” The moment solidified his image as a fighter among his base, and it arguably helped galvanize a political resurgence that carried him to victory in the November election.

But for many Americans, the shooting remains a disturbing reminder of growing political extremism, unresolved mental health concerns, and troubling security lapses at the highest level of U.S. politics.