Chilling footage has surfaced depicting Thomas Crooks, a 20-year-old man, dry-firing a handgun in his bedroom mere weeks before he launched an attack on former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The videos, which have since been removed from online platforms following the incident, were initially brought to public attention on Candace Owens' podcast.
The footage shows Crooks in a tactical stance, aiming at imaginary targets on his bed and practicing firearm handling. His room, with minimal decoration except for a Marvel poster, forms the backdrop as he wears casual athletic attire. Another clip captures him taking aim at a sheet of target paper with blue circles, displaying a concerning level of focus and precision.
Investigators have uncovered a dark digital trail revealing Crooks' obsession with assassinations, mass shootings, and explosives. A week prior to the attack, Crooks conducted Google searches about historical assassination distances, such as "How far away was Oswald from Kennedy?", and delved into other mass shooting events, as reported by the New York Post. His research included Ethan Crumbley, responsible for the tragic Oxford High School shooting in 2021.
Despite these alarming signs, Chris Wray, the former FBI Director, testified that Crooks was not previously on the radar of federal law enforcement. The attack resulted in President Trump sustaining a minor ear injury and the death of MAGA supporter Corey Comperatore.
Crooks' digital history paints a picture of an escalating fascination with violence. His searches ranged from "Deadliest Mass Shooting in World" to detailed inquiries about the Pulse nightclub shooting and instructions for making explosives and Molotov cocktails. In 2019, he left a violent comment online advocating for the decapitation of "Trump-hating democrats."
The premeditation and practice evident in the video footage of Crooks dry-firing a handgun are chilling. Observers noted his eerily calm demeanor, as he took careful aim in a manner suggesting preparation for real-life confrontation. The FBI confirmed these activities took place days before the shooting.
Post-attack, investigators recovered firearms and materials indicative of Crooks' preparation. The influence of violent media and online echo chambers in potentially radicalizing young individuals like Crooks has become a significant concern. This case highlights the difficulty in monitoring potential threats, as Crooks' concerning behaviors went largely unnoticed until the catastrophic outcome.
The disturbing videos are now integral to the investigation into Crooks' motives and pre-attack planning. Law enforcement is thoroughly examining his digital footprint and connections to preclude any further threats.
As the nation confronts the grim prospect of politically motivated violence by individuals radicalized online, debates over online radicalization, mental health, and security measures for public figures have been reignited.
