Failed assassin Thomas Matthew Crooks researched Trump and Biden, and even a UK royal, before shooting
Would-be assassin Thomas Matthew Crooks had researched former President Donald Trump’s movements before he shot him, while also looking up President Biden — and even a member of the British royal family, FBI investigators said.
Investigators detailed Crooks’ search history to lawmakers on Wednesday, sharing how the 20-year-old searched for the dates of Trump’s appearances and the Democratic National Convention — and also looked up info to help his own “major depressive disorder,” people on the call told the New York Times.
The gunman also had images of Trump and Biden saved to his cellphone, law enforcement sources previously told The Post.
Crooks’ search history revealed a broad interest in high-profile people and celebrities, regardless of their political affiliation, FBI officials reportedly said — further hindering their hunt for a motive.
As well as researching Trump and Biden, Crooks searched for FBI Director Christopher Wray, Attorney General Merrick Garland, and a member of the British royal family, the Times reported, without specifying which royal it was.
The gunman may have also been struggling with his mental health, the officials added, highlighting a search he made on one of his two cellphones for “major depressive disorder,” sources confirmed to The Post.
Crooks, who was shot dead seconds after firing at the former president, also wrote a chilling online message that alluded to sinister plans at the Butler, Pa., rally over the weekend.
Here’s the latest on the assassination attempt against Donald Trump:
Would-be Trump assassin Thomas Crooks visited gun range dozens of times — including Christmas — for ‘intense preparation’- Newly surfaced texts show Trump rally gunman was on authorities’ radar more than 90 minutes before shooting: report
- FBI to conduct victim interview with Donald Trump after assassination attempt
- Ex-Trump doc says FBI’s Wray is ‘wrong’ to doubt ex-prez was struck by bullet: ‘Absolutely no evidence’
- Trump defends female Secret Service agent who was criticized after assassination attempt: ‘So brave’
Investigators are scouring through the shooter’s cellphones and computer in search of answers to the assassination attempt — but have not yet identified a motive.
Nothing in their investigation so far has indicated that Crooks, who was a registered Republican, had strong partisan political views in either direction, officials told lawmakers.
Officials have also not found any evidence of co-conspirators or connections to foreign actors, according to the report.
Details of Crooks’ search history were released as news broke that 20 minutes passed between the time Secret Service snipers first spotted Crooks perched on a roof with a rifle and the time he began firing at the former president.
The gunfire grazed Trump’s ear, killed a 50-year-old married dad of two girls in attendance and injured two other rally-goers.
