Newly unearthed FBI documents shed light on the upbringing of Thomas Matthew Crooks, the 20-year-old who attempted to assassinate President Trump, portraying him as an individual who was "emotionless since birth." Crooks died in a hail of Secret Service gunfire on July 13, 2024, moments after firing a shot that narrowly missed Trump's head during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
According to newly released documents reviewed by The Post, Crooks' father, Matthew, told federal investigators that his son "did not scream" when he was born and remained quiet thereafter. Matthew described a strained father-son relationship, noting he "never really had a father/son bond" with Thomas. He characterized his son as stoic, rarely laughing, and difficult to read.
A Troubled Childhood and Developing Interests
During elementary school, Thomas occasionally acted out due to boredom, once damaging school property in a bid for attention. By middle school, his parents considered he might have ADHD and worried he was associating with a "bad" group of peers. His father recalled an incident where Thomas, after an argument, dumped an entire container of fish food into his sister's betta tank. Matthew admitted to pushing his son to elicit an emotional response, which resulted in Thomas crying.
Between his freshman and sophomore years of high school, Crooks became more reserved and experienced difficulties communicating with teachers. He frequently talked to himself, a habit that became more noticeable over time. His father expressed regret about work schedules preventing him from fully engaging with his son's extracurricular activities, believing they could have provided a positive social outlet.
Despite perceived social shortcomings, Thomas was an academically capable student, scoring a 1400 on his first SAT attempt without studying and later achieving a 1500. He expressed vague, short-lived interests in professions, including a desire to work in nuclear submarines because he thought it would be "cool." He showed no romantic interest in girls and consistently denied being gay.
Growing Obsession with Firearms
As a teenager, Crooks developed an increasing interest in shooting and guns. His father recalled conversations about firearms, including Thomas questioning background checks for purchasing his father's Glock and inquiring about inheriting his grandfather's guns. He began attending a gun club around the time of the COVID-19 pandemic. Initially, he was a poor shot, struggling to hit a target, but improved significantly with practice over four to five years. He later became proficient, able to hit targets over 100 yards away, and developed expertise in using specialized sights and measuring distances.
Online Activity and Technological Pursuits
Crooks' interest in firearms extended to purchasing rifle parts and accessories online. He used the pseudonym "Bob Dole" for deliveries, a practice stemming from paranoia after his father's bank account was hacked. Despite his father explaining the security flaws in this method, Thomas continued to use pseudonyms for online purchases, believing it shielded his accounts. He also advised his father on using privacy software like VPNs and encrypted email services.
He acquired a 3D printer and attempted to build a functional Glock 19 using carbon fiber plastic, a dryer, and a toaster oven. The firearm, however, was deemed unsafe by his father after it discharged a single round.
Thomas also built a gaming PC and a security camera using a Raspberry Pi. His father suggested he might have emulated the Marvel character Iron Man.
Political Views and Social Behavior
An unnamed individual interviewed by the FBI described Crooks as a "big history buff" interested in politics, though he discussed these topics nonchalantly. He reportedly spoke about both Donald Trump and Joe Biden, as well as Marco Rubio. His father stated that Thomas identified as a Republican, opposing the "welfare state" and "woke" ideology, but did not strongly adhere to Republican principles, preferring to debate government policies generally. Thomas reportedly expressed shock over the January 6th Capitol riot and did not believe the 2020 presidential election was rigged.
Despite being a registered Republican, possibly influenced by his father's affiliation, Thomas donated $15 to the Progressive Turnout Project, a Democratic organizing group, in 2021. His father noted that he was more critical of Trump's policies than his son was. Crooks was an avid gamer in high school, playing strategy and first-person shooter games, but later regretted the time spent on the hobby. His film interests included "Saving Private Ryan," "Full Metal Jacket," and the "John Wick" series. He enjoyed rap and country music.
His father reiterated that Thomas never showed any outward signs of distress or concerning behavior that would indicate his intentions, leaving the family to question the motives behind his assassination attempt.