July 20th 2024.
After conducting over 200 interviews and carefully examining his phone and internet activity, federal investigators have been able to create an initial profile of Thomas Matthew Crooks, the man who attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump. From their findings, it appears that Crooks was a quiet and intelligent individual with an interest in firearms, but he did not openly express his political opinions.
Despite the extensive investigation, authorities are still puzzled by Crooks' motive for the attack. Some have speculated that it may not have been politically motivated, but rather a desire to target the most high-profile individual in his vicinity. However, the investigation is still in its early stages and no definitive conclusions have been made.
Through interviews with law enforcement and a review of briefing notes, it has been revealed that Crooks had few close friends and spent a lot of time at a local firing range. He also had photos on his phone of prominent figures from both political parties, and had searched for information on both former President Trump and current President Biden. It seems that Crooks was aware of Trump's upcoming rally, which was only an hour's drive from his home, and may have seen it as an opportunity for a high-profile shooting.
One federal official remarked that even though Crooks did not succeed in his attempt to kill Trump, he still achieved notoriety and came close to doing something that hasn't been done in decades – assassinating a presidential candidate. It is unclear if Crooks intended to carry out a larger attack and started with Trump as a way to gain attention.
In addition to searching for information on Trump's rally, Crooks had also looked into the Democratic National Convention and another recent mass shooter, Ethan Crumbley. It is common for mass shooters to research and emulate others as a way to form their own plans, but there are significant differences between Crooks' actions and those of a typical mass shooter.
Unlike many mass shooters who leave behind writings explaining their attacks, authorities have found little evidence in Crooks' bedroom or online that sheds light on his mindset. This is frustrating for experts who are trying to understand his motives and has drawn comparisons to the Las Vegas shooter, Stephen Paddock, whose reasons for the attack are still unknown.
According to a briefing for lawmakers, Crooks' family members reported that he did not openly discuss politics and no evidence of his political values or ideology was found in his home. Former FBI profiler Mary Ellen O'Toole believes that the rally may have been appealing to Crooks because it was in his backyard and would bring him attention.
However, former FBI analyst Kathleen Puckett cautions against jumping to conclusions and warns that lone offenders, who are largely invisible before their attacks, are a difficult problem for law enforcement to tackle. She emphasizes the need for a detailed understanding of Crooks' motives, as it is unlikely to be a simple answer. Ultimately, the goal is to fully understand the complexities of the situation and not settle for a simplistic explanation.
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