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4 clusters · 37 sources · 19 days · First seen about 2 months ago · Last updated 30 days ago

Investigation into Donald Trump assassination attempt

Overview

Investigations into the July 2024 assassination attempt on Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, have yielded new details regarding the shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, through newly released FBI documents and FOIA requests.

Recent findings reveal that Crooks engaged in discussions regarding 3D-printed firearm parts. In a February 2023 exchange, an unknown contact asked, “Did you 3D print the parts?”, to which Crooks reportedly replied, “Yes, except for the fan blades.” His father, Matthew Crooks, informed investigators that his son once constructed a Glock 19 using carbon fiber plastic, a dryer, and a toaster oven; Matthew Crooks noted he test-fired the weapon once but stopped due to fears the plastic frame might explode.

Digital evidence continues to expand, confirming Crooks used the encrypted email service Mailfence and maintained a Snapchat account under the username ‘tom_crooks19’. Previous reports established his use of the ‘Bob Dole’ pseudonym for purchasing rifle parts and his use of privacy tools like BraveNet and Cyber Ghost VPN. Additionally, records describe a heavily redacted chat thread between Crooks and an unidentified recipient occurring between May 2023 and January 2024, consisting largely of cryptic, one- or two-word messages.

Investigative files also include 40 drone photos taken by Crooks in early 2024 of various locations in Western Pennsylvania, including PNC Park and Acrisure Stadium. Other disclosures include a DHL shipment notification for a package sent from Hong Kong.

Regarding his personal history, Crooks’ father reportedly attempted to prevent his son from accessing firearms in May 2024. Witnesses also reported Crooks made hateful comments about Trump prior to the event. Controversy remains over the rapid cremation of Crooks, funded by an anonymous donor. Representative Clay Higgins has criticized the move as an ‘obstruction to any following investigative effort.’ Donald Trump continues to characterize the attempt as a ‘Democratic plot.’

Entities

Thomas Matthew Crooks · FBI · Donald Trump · Matthew Crooks · Secret Service

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 8 SOURCES] The FBI identified the newly released electronic communications as pertinent to the investigation of the July 13, 2024, assassination attempt on Donald Trump.
[● 7 SOURCES] Thomas Crooks was exceptionally quiet and showed little emotion from birth.
[● 7 SOURCES] Rep. Clay Higgins criticized the FBI for releasing Crooks' body for cremation only 10 days after the shooting.
[● 6 SOURCES] Thomas Crooks used the pseudonym ‘Bob Dole’ to purchase rifle components and tools online.
[● 6 SOURCES] An anonymous donor paid for the cremation of Thomas Matthew Crooks.
[● 4 SOURCES] The FBI has uncovered new information regarding the background and history of Thomas Matthew Crooks.
[● 4 SOURCES] Thomas Crooks exchanged messages with an unknown contact in February 2023 regarding 3D-printed parts.
[● 4 SOURCES] Crooks engaged in a chat thread with an unidentified recipient consisting of brief, cryptic messages between May 2023 and January 2024.
[● 3 SOURCES] Thomas Crooks occasionally misbehaved in elementary school due to boredom.
[● 3 SOURCES] Thomas Crooks scored between 1400 and 1500 on the SAT.
[● 3 SOURCES] Thomas Crooks used Cyber Ghost VPN and BraveNet Browser to obscure his online activity.
[● 3 SOURCES] Donald Trump claimed without evidence that the assassination attempt was a Democratic plot.

Timeline

30 days ago

[POLITICS] 14 sources
Thomas Crooks' FBI records reveal 3D-printed firearm texts and cryptic chats
FBI records released via Judicial Watch reveal Thomas Crooks exchanged cryptic texts about 3D-printed firearm parts and engaged in coded chats prior to the July 2024 assassination attempt on Donald Trump.
about 2 months ago

[POLITICS] 6 sources
FBI documents reveal new details on Thomas Crooks assassination attempt
New FBI documents and task force reports reveal details about Thomas Crooks, including his use of encrypted email, a secret Snapchat account, and his father's failed attempt to restrict his firearm access.
about 2 months ago

[POLITICS] 26 sources
Thomas Crooks: New FBI records reveal pseudonym use and anonymous cremation donor
New FBI records regarding the 2024 Trump assassination attempt reveal Thomas Crooks used the ‘Bob Dole’ alias for gun parts and that an anonymous donor paid for his rapid cremation.
about 2 months ago

[POLITICS] 2 sources
FBI documents reveal details on Trump shooter Thomas Matthew Crooks
Newly released FBI documents reveal details about the background of Thomas Matthew Crooks, including his father's descriptions of his stoic and dispassionate nature prior to the July 2024 assassination attempt.

Sources

100percentfedup.com · 24sata.hr · americanfaith.com · civildeadline.com · dailycaller.com · dailymail.co.uk · foxnews.com · freerepublic.com · ibtimes.co.uk · info.sk · insider.foxnews.com · internewscast.com · joemiller.us · justthenews.com · jutarnji.hr · legitgov.org · lifezette.com · matzav.com · megynkelly.com · mixvale.com.br · nap.ba · nbcnews.com · nemosnewsnetwork.com · newsbusters.org · nypost.com · patriotfetch.com · pjmedia.com · pulptastic.com · sgtreport.com · theblaze.com · thelibertydaily.com · thepatriotchronicles.com · timesnownews.com · trendingpoliticsnews.com · video.foxnews.com · wltreport.com · yourNEWS.com

This summary has been updated 6 times: see revision history