Federal Records Released
Newly released federal records detail Trump shooter's cremation and use of an alias.
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Key Points
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Crooks’ father told investigators that his son “never identified anyone as a friend throughout middle school and high school,” despite socializing with classmates; the family said his actions came as a surprise.
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Matthew Crooks described his son as emotionally reserved and said he “never really had a father/son bond”; he reportedly rarely showed strong emotions and hardly laughed.
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According to the reported records, Crooks’ father said his son was born unusually quiet—“When Thomas was born, he did not scream, and he was always quiet from that point on.”
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Crooks reportedly obtained the rifle from his father by saying he was going to a shooting range, according to reporting cited by Breitbart.
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Crooks typically collected packages addressed to the “Dole” alias before his father returned home from work, a detail included in the FBI-related records reviewed by Fox News.
Newly released federal records show that an anonymous donor paid for Thomas Matthew Crooks' cremation about 10 days after Secret Service agents killed him following his July 2024 attack at Donald Trump's rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, according to News18. The records, provided to Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, suggest Crooks' parents may have lacked funds for funeral expenses.
Investigators also discovered that Crooks used the alias "Bob Dole" to receive packages containing rifle parts, tools, and other items that could increase his weapon's capacity, Fox News reported. The attack killed rally attendee Corey Comperatore and wounded two others, while grazing Trump's ear.
A Socially Isolated Teenager Obsessed With Guns
Crooks' father told investigators that his son "never identified anyone as a friend throughout middle school and high school," despite socializing with classmates, according to Daily Caller. He described Thomas as emotionally reserved and said he "never really had a father/son bond." The father also recalled that when Thomas was born, "he did not scream, and he was always quiet from that point on."
Despite this isolation, Crooks showed intense interest in firearms. He reportedly obtained the rifle from his father by claiming he was going to a shooting range. Crooks typically collected packages addressed to the "Dole" alias before his father returned home from work, Fox 23 reported.
Unanswered Questions About Body Release and Motive
The rapid cremation of Crooks' body has raised questions among investigators and lawmakers. An attorney representing Crooks' family provided the information about the cremation to federal authorities. The timing and circumstances surrounding the decision remain unclear.
Interviews with Crooks' family offered few clear clues to his motive for the attack. He rarely showed strong emotions and hardly laughed, according to his father's account. The disconnect between his isolated personality and the dramatic nature of his actions has left investigators searching for answers.
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