Federal investigators said the phone belonging to suspect Thomas Crooks, a 20-year-old from suburban Pittsburgh, did not provide a clear explanation for why he plotted to assassinate former President Donald Trump, law enforcement sources told The Washington Post.
Investigators are now turning to the attacker’s laptop for clues about his motive, a question that remains unanswered two days after the shooting that shocked the nation.
Investigators have developed several clues about Crooks’ actions before the shooting, which happened at 6:11 p.m. Saturday in Butler, Pennsylvania.
That same day, Trump purchased 50 rounds of ammunition from Allegheny Arms and Gun Works and a metal ladder from Home Depot, which he used to climb to the factory rooftop, within clear view of Trump’s speaking podium, according to the sources.
Sources said the AR-style assault rifle used by Crooks belonged to his father, Matthew Brian Crooks, a licensed counselor and registered to vote as a Liberal Party member.
Read the latest Washington Post article about the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.
The father reported his son missing to police sometime Saturday, according to sources, along with one of about 20 guns he kept in their modest suburban home in Bethel Park, about 25 minutes south of Pittsburgh.
Meanwhile, Jim Knapp, a school counselor at Bethel Park High School who retired in 2022, said that although Crooks had a few friends, he was always “quiet,” “polite” and shy away from social interactions.
Knapp said she rarely saw Crooks because “he wasn’t a very caring kid.” Crooks was content to occasionally eat lunch alone in the school cafeteria, she said. Knapp said she would talk to students who did to see if Crooks wanted company.
“The kids didn’t taunt him or bully him,” Knapp said.
Knapp said he didn’t know Crooks had any political stances, even though other children sometimes wore Trump or Biden clothing, and added that Crooks had never been disciplined at school.
“Anyone can lose their temper, anyone can have problems,” he said. “Something triggered this young man to drive to Butler yesterday and do what he did.”
Investigators were seen questioning Crooks’ parents on Monday and also speaking to neighbours on the quiet street.
Neighbor Kelly Little, 38, told The Washington Post she didn’t have much information to give investigators, but she did learn Crooks had an older sister named Katherine.
Crooks, a 2022 graduate of Bethel Park High School, showed no political leanings while at the school, said school counselor Jim Knapp, who described Crooks as “quiet as a church mouse.”
“Kids didn’t taunt him or bully him,” Knapp said, recalling him as someone who was content to be alone.
“Anyone can lose their temper, anyone can have problems,” the counselor said, adding that he was confused as to what was causing it.
“Something prompted that young man to drive to Butler yesterday and take that action.”
— With post wire
