Trump Assassin Sent Coded Texts About 3D Printer Before Rally Attack
New FBI records reveal Thomas Matthew Crooks communicated cryptically about 3D printing and sent nonsensical messages to unknown contacts in the months leading up to the July 2024 assassination attempt.
Thomas Matthew Crooks, the individual who attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024, exchanged a series of coded text messages in the period before the attack, according to records obtained by Judicial Watch. The FBI provided these records, which detail unusual communications from Crooks.
In a text message on February 9, 2023, an individual identified by the FBI as an "unknown contact" asked Crooks, "Did you 3D print the parts?" Crooks replied, "Yes, except for the fan blades." The unknown contact responded, "Woah that looks cool," after Crooks had sent a message that was redacted by the FBI.
Further records show a series of one or two-word messages sent by Crooks to a second, redacted party between May 21, 2023, and January 3, 2024. These messages included phrases like "Hello red," "Hdudhdbdbbd," "7888ejdj," "Yolo," and repeated instances of "red." The FBI redacted any responses from the other individual in these exchanges.
The documents also indicate that Crooks received a package from Hong Kong via the shipping company DHL. Additionally, the FBI released 40 drone photographs taken by Crooks between February 6 and February 27, 2024. These images included aerial views of PNC Park, home of the MLB's Pittsburgh Pirates, and Acrisure Stadium, where the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers play.
Previous reports indicated Crooks' interest in 3D printing. His father, Matthew Crooks, informed investigators that his son had previously attempted to 3D print a Glock 19 handgun using carbon fiber plastic, a dryer, and a toaster oven. Matthew Crooks stated he forbade his son from using the weapon, fearing it might explode.
The assassination attempt on Trump resulted in the deaths of two civilians: Corey Comperatore, a 50-year-old fire chief, and James Copenhaver, a 76-year-old veteran. Copenhaver died on September 23, 2026, due to complications from injuries sustained during the shooting.
Judicial Watch president Tom Fitton commented on the release of the records, stating, "These latest records reveal more pieces of the puzzle surrounding Thomas Crooks. The FBI should stop the slow drip of heavily redacted records and immediately provide the full investigative record — especially since the death last week of James Copenhaver, who was severely injured from being shot during the assassination attempt on President Trump."