New details about Thomas Matthew Crooks exposed.
A full year has passed since the near-assassination of Donald Trump, and yet, the man who pulled the trigger—Thomas Matthew Crooks—remains as much a mystery as the day he died.
Shocking rally attack profiled.
The 20-year-old engineering student from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, opened fire at a Butler campaign rally, grazing Trump’s ear and killing firefighter Corey Comperatore.
Secret Service snipers dropped Crooks within moments, but the damage—both physical and political—was already done.
Trump, bleeding and defiant, thrust a clenched fist into the air and shouted “Fight! Fight! Fight!”—an image that instantly became campaign legend.
Supporters hailed the former president as unbreakable; critics raised questions. But almost no one got what they really wanted: answers about Crooks.
#1 What was his motive?
A year later, the most haunting question remains—why did 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks open fire at a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania?
Crooks left behind no manifesto, no farewell letter, and no viral rant explaining his decision to nearly assassinate a former U.S. president.
The FBI claims they are still reviewing evidence, conducting interviews, and chasing leads—but nothing has been shared since August 2024.
In a May 2025 interview, FBI Director Kash Patel admitted, “I don’t know that there’s more to know.”
Crooks had a spotless record, a high SAT score, and was studying engineering—nothing screamed “future assassin.”
His Google searches, though, painted a darker picture: “How far was Oswald from Kennedy?”
He even registered for the rally a week in advance—clear premeditation, but no clear reason.
#2 Did he act alone?
Officials insist Crooks acted alone, but members of Congress—and the public—aren’t convinced.
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna questioned two burner phones Crooks reportedly carried, asking bluntly, “Did he have a handler?”
Private investigator Doug Hagmann told the New York Post that geofencing data suggests Crooks wasn’t working alone.
“This took coordination,” Hagmann claimed. “More than one person was involved.”
#3 Was this just one part of a bigger attack plan?
CBS News reported that the Butler rally might’ve been a “target of opportunity,” not his only mission.
The discovery of worrying purchases raised a disturbing possibility: was Crooks planning something far more devastating?
So far, the FBI hasn’t confirmed whether any explosives were found or if further attacks were thwarted.
#4 What was his mental state?
Crooks’ parents—both licensed therapists—called police on the day of the shooting, worried about their son’s behavior.
His father told The New York Times that Crooks had been talking to himself, waving his arms, and dancing alone at night.
His search history included “major depressive disorder” and “depression crisis.”
#5 What happened to his phones?
The FBI recovered two phones from Crooks, both believed to contain politically charged searches and images.
But officials haven’t revealed what else was on them—photos, messages, contacts, nothing.
Lawmakers have blasted the lack of transparency, calling the silence “deliberate.”
#6 Why was he cremated so quickly?
Just 10 days after the shooting, Crooks was cremated—without notifying key local officials.
Rep. Clay Higgins revealed the county coroner had no idea it had even happened.
Higgins accused the FBI of skipping toxicology tests and pushing cremation to avoid scrutiny.
The FBI insists the process was routine and coordinated—but suspicions remain.
#7 One year later, why do we still know so little?
Since their last statement in August 2024, the FBI has gone virtually silent about Crooks, citing “ongoing proceedings.”
Deputy Director Dan Bongino insisted, “There’s no big reveal we’re hiding. If there was, we’d tell you.”
But for millions of Americans, the silence is deafening—and the truth behind Thomas Matthew Crooks remains disturbingly out of reach.