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The 20-year-old gunman who attempted to assassinate President Donald Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, last summer exhibited a worrying decline in mental health prior to the incident, according to a recent report. This report reveals that he engaged in imaginary conversations, signaling a troubling descent into his mental state leading up to the assassination attempt.
The New York Times, utilizing extensive documentation including school records, internet activity logs, and interviews with individuals familiar with Thomas Matthew Crooks, provided a detailed examination of his transformation. Initially recognized as a reserved engineering student who expressed concern over political polarization, Crooks ultimately became a focused assailant attempting to construct explosives.
Representative Clay Higgins of Louisiana, who participated in a Congressional investigation into the shooting on July 13, 2024, characterized Crooks’ mental transformation as mysterious and alarming. During this investigation period, he learned that Crooks often seemed to communicate with perceived figures that did not exist.
Before the assassination attempt, Crooks had a record characterized by academic achievements rather than behavioral issues. The New York Times reported that he only faced disciplinary action once in middle school for chewing gum.
Academically, Crooks excelled, achieving a score of 1530 on the SAT and graduating from the Community College of Allegheny County, where he consistently made the dean’s list while pursuing an engineering degree. His ambition included transferring to Robert Morris University near Pittsburgh, with aspirations for a career in aerospace or robotics.
However, signs of Crooks’ mental instability began to surface, particularly after graduating in May 2024. His father reported observing Thomas talking to himself and exhibiting erratic behavior late at night, coinciding with a family history of mental health and addiction issues. Portions of the Pennsylvania State Police report highlighted these concerns regarding Crooks’ mental wellbeing.
A classmate recalled Crooks engaging in discussions about the economy and cryptocurrencies during high school. His creative side surfaced at community college when he designed a chessboard tailored for visually impaired individuals, including his mother.
Trish Thompson, an engineering instructor at the Community College of Allegheny County, expressed her astonishment at the drastic change in Crooks, noting that he once seemed capable of achieving anything.
Approximately a year before his graduation, Crooks penned an essay advocating for ranked-choice voting in American politics. He argued against divisive political campaigns that heightened societal tensions and expressed the need for an election system fostering unity rather than division.
As he approached the fateful day, Crooks’ online activity raised eyebrows. The FBI revealed that he made over 25 firearm-related purchases through online vendors using an alias. Among these transactions was an order containing gallons of nitromethane, which is commonly used in explosives, ordered to his home address.
During the summer of 2023, Crooks became a member of a local gun club. His internet searches prior to the attack included inquiries about American political history, specifically referencing the assassination of President Kennedy, as well as searches related to major depressive disorder—a reflection of his troubling mindset.
Despite these alarming signs, Crooks maintained his job as a dietary aide at a local nursing and rehabilitation center in the weeks leading up to the assassination attempt. This routine work life underscores the duality of his character—a seemingly normal young man hiding significant internal turmoil.
On the night of the assassination attempt, agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives visited Crooks’ home in Bethel Park. They had to evacuate when they discovered an ammunition can with a wire protruding and a gallon jug labeled nitromethane in his closet. Subsequent conversations with Crooks’ parents further revealed an alarming lack of awareness regarding his dangerous interests.
The unsettling narrative of Thomas Crooks illustrates the tragic intersection of mental health challenges and violent intent, raising profound questions about societal responses to individuals displaying concerning behaviors. This situation underscores the critical importance of vigilance, dialogue, and understanding in addressing mental health issues within communities.
Reflecting on a Troubling Journey
Encapsulating this harrowing story begs a broader discussion about mental health awareness and preventative measures. As communities grapple with the fallout of such incidents, proactive engagement with mental health resources becomes paramount. Initiatives fostering open dialogues and supportive environments could determine whether tragedies like the assassination attempt can be averted in the future.
