Trump assassination attempt: Newly released FBI documents detail 'red flags' in attacker's behavior

Newly released federal documents indicate that Thomas Crooks, the individual who attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump, was exhibiting concerning behavior in the weeks leading up to the attack, according to a former FBI agent. These documents, shared with the Senate, suggest Crooks was "spiraling into an almost manic state."

Jonathan Gilliam, a former FBI special agent, told Fox News Digital that the federal documents presented several "red flags" regarding Crooks' demeanor. "These are definitely examples of somebody who is mentally not stable and also somebody who was spiraling into almost a manic or delusional state," Gilliam stated. He added, "When you combine somebody who is delusional, somebody who's hearing voices and is having almost a manic type of episode... with potential influence either by persons that they're around or things that they see online... it's very possible that that is the large part of this equation that we just have not seen."

The documents describe an individual who confronted Crooks about a jug of liquid used for cleaning a 3D printer, which Crooks claimed was for cleaning. The unidentified individual did not believe Crooks, noting that his "ears would flame red when he lied." This same individual observed that Crooks became "more agitated" as he got older and "talked to himself a lot."

An FBI notepad detailed Crooks' nighttime activities, noting, "THOMAS would be in [redacted] at night and it sounded like he was dancing and whispering each night. About two to three times each week, he would pace through [redacted] When [redacted] confronted THOMAS about the pacing, THOMAS would say that he was bored and trying to entertain himself."

One of Crooks' coworkers informed law enforcement that in the weeks prior to the incident, Crooks "opened up a little more" and expressed increased enthusiasm about attending school. Crooks had planned to study mechanical engineering at Robert Morris University and had earned an associate degree in engineering science from the Community College of Allegheny County.

In the months preceding the assassination attempt, Crooks enrolled in several courses at the Keystone Shooting Center, including a Basic Carbine Course, a Basic Handgun Course, and an Intermediate Handgun Course. Around the same period, he was seen at Keystone Armory with two other males, where he purchased ammunition.

FBI Director Kash Patel testified before the Senate Oversight Committee that there is currently no evidence suggesting Crooks was connected to any other individuals. "We found no evidence that that individual was literally even speaking to any other human being other than his parents, who he resided with," Patel stated.

The investigation into the assassination attempt involved contact with at least one foreign government, though the documents do not specify the reason for this outreach.