What happened to the guy who attempted to shoot Donald Trump at an election rally in Butler, Pennsylvania?
WE hear very little about him, and nobody even references that event, seen both as Divine interference and the result of Joe Biden’s policies.
In interviews, Trump expressed astonishment at surviving the attack, attributing it to luck or divine intervention. He highlighted the gravity of the situation and the potential for a fatal outcome.
My mind immediately flipped back to videos of another man, blamed of killing a president on 22 November 1963 in Dallas. Lee Harvey Oswald’s final words before being shot by Jack Ruby, were “I’m just a patsy.”
I’m just a Patsy! A Perfect Set up
If this was a set up, it was almost perfect!
For those who don’t know that expression, a patsy is a person who is easily taken advantage of, especially by being manipulated or victimized. Oswald claimed he was being set up as a scapegoat, stating, “I’m just a patsy” to reporters after his arrest. In this context, “patsy” refers to someone who is easily blamed or deceived, often serving as a scapegoat for others.
Butler Farm Showgrounds, Pennsylvania – The Shooting
The Butler shooting incident solidified Republican unity around Donald Trump, with lawmakers and supporters viewing him as a symbol of resilience.
Images of a bloodied but defiant Trump raising his fist became a powerful rallying point, energizing both his base and swing-district Republicans
The event reinforced Trump’s narrative of being under constant attack, which resonated with his supporters and further galvanized their loyalty.
In summary, while the shooting on 13 July 2024 was a tragic and alarming event, it ultimately provided Republicans with a platform to rally around their candidate, energize their base, and dominate political discourse leading into a pivotal election season.
It worked so well, it almost looked staged and gave birth to hundreds of conspiracy theories.
Who was Thomas Matthew Crooks?
So, let us get to the young shooter. Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, became infamous for his attempted assassination of former U.S. President Donald Trump on July 13, 2024.
The incident occurred during a campaign rally near Butler, Pennsylvania, where Trump was addressing supporters as the presumptive Republican nominee for the 2024 presidential election.
Crooks fired shots from a rooftop using an AR-15-style rifle, injuring Trump and killing and injuring several others before being killed by a Secret Service sniper.
Today, Thomas Matthew Crooks’ attempted assassination of Donald Trump still remains shrouded in unanswered questions about his motives and mental state.
In a country full of internet sleuths and True Crime fanatics, nothing has emerged as a manifesto or even an indication of why?
Early Life and Background
Thomas Matthew Crooks was born on September 20, 2003, and grew up in Bethel Park. His parents were licensed professional counselors, and he had a quiet demeanor that often made him the target of bullying during high school.
Despite these challenges, he excelled academically, graduating with high honors and earning awards for his achievements in math and science.
He later obtained an associate degree in engineering science from the Community College of Allegheny County
Crooks struggled socially in high school, facing ridicule for wearing camouflage hunting outfits and surgical masks. He was rejected from the school’s rifle club due to poor shooting skills, and worked as a dietary aide at a nursing home before the shooting.
The New York Post reported Wednesday that Matthew Crooks, who is a registered Libertarian, had been profiled by the Trump campaign in 2016 as a potential backer, given his support for the Second Amendment.
And then suddenly he morphs from being a lonely geek to an assassin?
Appears to be new footage of sniper Thomas Matthew Crooks at the Butler rally before shooting President Trump pic.twitter.com/srmgVv81qr
— Jack Poso 🇺🇸 (@JackPosobiec) August 19, 2024
Preparations, Action and Timeline
Rally Announcement: On July 3, 2024, the Trump campaign announced a rally at the Butler Farm Show Grounds for July 13, 2024
Thomas Crooks’ Actions. Rally Registration
Crooks registered to attend the rally on July 6, 2024, and visited the site on July 7, 2024, spending about 20 minutes there.
Day of the Rally. Morning Activities: He returned to the rally site in the morning but did not undergo security screening as he remained outside the Secret Service’s perimeter.
Shooting Incident. Positioning: Crooks scaled an air-conditioning unit to reach the roof of a nearby building, positioning himself about 400-450 feet from the stage.
Purchases and Preparations: On July 13, 2024, he bought a ladder and 50 rounds of ammunition. He also had an explosive device in his car.
Drone Deployment: Around 3:50 p.m. he flew a drone near the rally site for about 11 minutes, possibly to survey the area
Trump’s Arrival: Donald Trump arrived onstage at about 6:03 p.m. and began speaking at 6:05 p.m.
Shots Fired: At 6:11 p.m., Crooks fired eight shots into the rally, striking Trump and several others. He was killed by a Secret Service sniper shortly after that.
Political and Psychological Profile
Crooks’ political views remain ambiguous. Although he registered as a Republican upon turning 18, he had previously donated $15 to ActBlue, a Democratic voter turnout group. His online activities included searches related to prominent figures like Trump and Biden but lacked clear evidence of political motives
Authorities noted signs of depression in the young man’s search history, including inquiries about major depressive disorder. Despite an amicable relationship with his parents, they were not deeply involved in his daily life. On the day of the incident, his parents reported him missing, expressing concerns about his mental state
Preparation for the Shooting
In the days leading up to the rally, Crooks conducted extensive online research on public appearances of Trump and other figures. He also searched for information on historical assassinations and mass shootings. Using encrypted accounts, he acquired firearm supplies and bomb-making materials. On July 12, he practiced shooting at a local range where he was a member
Assassination attempt on Donald Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
The bullet pierced his ear. He barely escaped. pic.twitter.com/D86izogEGY
— Incognito (@Incognito_qfs) July 14, 2024
Aftermath and Investigation
The FBI launched an extensive investigation into Thomas Crooks’ motives but has yet to identify any clear reason for his actions. His browsing history suggested an interest in influential figures rather than overt political ideology. Investigators speculated that Crooks may have intended to carry out a mass shooting rather than targeting Trump specifically
The incident raised concerns about security protocols at political events and led to scrutiny of the Secret Service’s handling of the situation. Despite the attack, Donald Trump recovered quickly and went on to win the 2024 presidential election less than four months later.
