The 20-year-old who attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, was part of a troubling descent into mental instability leading up to the incident last summer. Reports indicate that a range of evidence, including extensive school records and numerous interviews, highlighted how Thomas Matthew Crooks transformed from an unassuming engineering student critical of political division into someone who set out to commit a violent act.
Rep. Clay Higgins, who investigated the shooting on July 13, 2024, remarked on this dramatic psychological shift, describing it as almost supernatural. He recounted how Crooks was hallucinating, conversing with imaginary figures, which he learned about during an investigative trip to Pennsylvania.
According to the New York Times, Crooks had a troubled history, being taken into custody after causing disruptions at a middle school prior to the assassination attempt. The same report revealed he excelled academically, achieving a near-perfect score on the SAT and graduating from community college with aspirations to study aerospace and robotics.
However, his father witnessed alarming changes in Thomas’ behavior following his graduation in May 2024, including instances where he spoke to himself and danced alone in his room. This behavior seemed to reflect a family history of mental health issues, which investigators found concerning.
Former teachers described Crooks as a bright student. For instance, Trish Thompson, his engineering instructor, thought he had boundless potential. In an essay from April 2023, he expressed support for ranked voting in U.S. politics, emphasizing the need for unity over division as the country approached the 2024 election.
The day of the assassination attempt, Crooks was reportedly seen at the rally before the act. In the year leading up to it, he made over 25 purchases related to firearms online, and his activities reflected an increasing obsession with weapons. One notable purchase included nitromethane, a substance that can be used to create explosives. He even joined a local gun club and frequented various online forums that discussed past assassination attempts.
In a particularly troubling incident, the ATF agents who visited Crooks’ home found materials that suggested serious intent. Shortly before the shooting, they discovered a jug labeled with dangerous substances and ammunition hidden away.
As investigators spoke to Crooks’ parents, they noted his passion for building things and frequenting shooting ranges, even as his father insisted he had no insights into his son’s troubling thoughts or actions.
