Thomas Matthew Crooks: A Descent into Madness
Recent reports have shed light on 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, who made unsuccessful attempts to assassinate former President Donald Trump. According to the findings, his mental state deteriorated significantly leading up to the incident.
The investigation revealed that Crooks had begun to “converse with people who weren’t there,” suggesting a severe break from reality. A report documented a transformation from a quiet engineering student critical of political division to someone who attempted to construct bombs.
Sources for these claims include interviews with various individuals familiar with Crooks and a significant amount of documentation including school records and internet activity logs. Senator Clay Higgins (R-La.) noted that Crooks’ mental decline seemed almost mystical, particularly while discussing the case during a trip to Pennsylvania.
“Conversing with people who are not there” was mentioned by Higgins in light of Crooks’ mental health issues.
Interestingly, the only trouble Crooks faced in middle school revolved around something as trivial as chewing gum during lunch. On a more positive note, he had an impressive SAT score of 1530 out of a possible 1600 and was well-regarded at Allegheny County Community College, where he aimed for a career in aerospace and robotics.
However, in the year preceding the shooting, his father observed troubling changes in his behavior. After graduating in May 2024, the elder Crooks reported seeing Thomas dance alone in his bedroom, claiming he was “talking to him.”
The report also indicated a family history of mental health and substance abuse issues. Classmates remembered him as someone who enjoyed discussing complex topics like economics and cryptocurrency and even established a chess club for visually impaired individuals.
“He looked like a really smart kid. I thought he could do anything he wanted,” shared Trish Thompson, one of his engineering instructors.
In April 2023, Crooks wrote an essay advocating for ranked-choice voting, expressing concern over the polarization in American politics. He emphasized the need for an electoral system that fosters unity rather than division.
“As we approach the 2024 election, we should carefully consider measures to select authorities,” he stated.
However, as the investigation unveiled, Crooks used aliases to purchase firearms online and reportedly acquired nitromethane, a substance often used in explosives. He had also joined a local gun club by the summer of 2023.
Investigators discovered that Crooks had conducted online searches about previous assassinations and mental health issues. In the weeks leading up to the attempt, he was employed as a dietary aide at a rehabilitation center.
Following the assassination attempt, ATF agents visited Crooks’ home but were forced to retreat upon finding suspicious materials, including a gallon jug labeled “nitromethane.” It was reported that Crooks’ father seemed unaware of his son’s troubling activities.
