WASHINGTON — Newly disclosed FBI interview records released on Monday, Sept. 14, provide a detailed look into the life of Thomas Matthew Crooks, the 20-year-old who opened fire at President Donald Trump’s campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, in July 2024.
The documents—procured as part of Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley’s ongoing probe—include extensive interviews with Crooks’ father, Matthew. They describe a deeply private, emotionless young man whose family struggled to understand his growing fixation on firearms, surveillance technology, and privacy tools.
Childhood and Early Life
Crooks was born on Sept. 20, 2003. His father told investigators that his son “did not scream” when he was born and remained unusually quiet throughout childhood. Matthew admitted he never built a strong father-son bond with Thomas, describing him as difficult to read, rarely laughing, and increasingly reserved during high school.
By middle school, his parents suspected he had ADHD. As he grew older, he developed a habit of talking to himself and struggled to communicate with teachers.
Academically, Crooks demonstrated significant capability, scoring 1,400 on his first SAT without studying and later raising it to 1,500. He placed immense pressure on himself regarding college admissions and briefly expressed interest in military sub-careers like working on nuclear submarines, though his father viewed it as a passing phase. Socially, Crooks was isolated and never showed romantic interest.
Growing Fixation on Firearms
Crooks developed an interest in guns as a teenager. While he briefly explored hunting, he seemed uncomfortable with the idea of killing animals. Instead, his conversations with his father centered on firearms.
He joined a gun club around the COVID-19 pandemic. Though initially a poor shot, years of practice turned him into a skilled marksman who experimented with long-range shooting and prism sights.
He also began purchasing large volumes of gun parts and tools online, attempting to build a Glock 19 using carbon-fiber plastic and household tools. To conceal his online purchases, Crooks used the alias “Bob Dole,” believing it would protect his transactions.
Political Views Offer No Clear Motive
The FBI documents yielded no definitive political motive. Witnesses described Crooks as a history enthusiast who discussed politics with detachment.
Although registered as a Republican who opposed welfare programs and “woke” ideology, he did not strongly align with conventional party politics and frequently mocked politicians from both sides. He did not believe the 2020 election was rigged and was shocked by the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. Records also showed he made a single $15 donation to the Democratic-aligned Progressive Turnout Project in 2021.
Anonymous Donor Covered Cremation Costs for Trump Shooter, Records Show
An unidentified individual paid for the cremation of Thomas Matthew Crooks shortly after the July 2024 Butler rally shooting, according to newly disclosed federal records accessed by the New York Post.
The detail was revealed in documents submitted to Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley as part of an inquiry into the assassination attempt on President Donald Trump.
A note appended to an FBI interview summary with Crooks’ father, Matthew, states that an “anonymous donor paid for cremation,” with the detail reportedly provided through the family’s attorney.
The records also highlight the family’s financial state at the time of the incident. Matthew told investigators he was unemployed and retired, while his wife was on medical leave, raising further questions regarding how the arrangements were financed.