Newly released federal records provide additional details about Thomas Matthew Crooks, who opened fire at a 2024 campaign rally involving Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania. The documents say Crooks used the alias “Bob Dole” when receiving packages and had not identified anyone as a friend during middle or high school. They also state that an anonymous donor paid for his cremation after he was killed by law enforcement.
The records, compiled during the investigation into the shooting, do not establish a motive. Crooks killed one bystander and seriously wounded two others before he was shot and killed after firing toward the rally stage.
Interviews with Crooks’ parents describe a private young man whose behavior changed during high school, but they do not indicate that his family knew of a plan to attack the rally.
| 1) | The shooting and investigation |
| 2) | Use of the Bob Dole alias |
| 3) | Accounts of isolation and changing behavior |
| 4) | Family response and cremation arrangements |
| 5) | Motive remains unresolved |
The shooting and investigation
Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, attempted to assassinate Donald Trump during a campaign rally in Butler on July 13, 2024. The shooting killed a bystander and seriously injured two other people. Donald Trump was grazed by a bullet and was moved from the stage by U.S. Secret Service personnel.
Crooks was shot and killed after opening fire. The records reviewed by investigators and later turned over to the Senate were compiled to examine his conduct, background and the circumstances surrounding the attack. They add information about his personal life and actions before the rally, but do not provide a confirmed explanation for why he targeted the event.
Use of the Bob Dole alias
According to the documents, Crooks used “Bob Dole” as an alias when ordering packages. He generally collected packages addressed to that name before his father returned home from work. The records connect his use of the pseudonym to an earlier incident involving his father’s checking account.
Matthew Crooks told investigators that the account had been hacked and that fraudulent gambling charges appeared. The documents do not say that the alias itself demonstrated a criminal motive, nor do they establish that the packages were connected to the later attack. They identify the activity as part of the investigative timeline before the shooting.
Accounts of isolation and changing behavior
In an interview conducted the day after the shooting, Crooks’ father told FBI agents that his son never identified anyone as a friend throughout middle school and high school. Although Crooks socialized with classmates, he reportedly told his father that those students were not his friends.
His father described him as a straight-A student who scored 1,400 on his first SAT attempt without studying and later scored more than 1,500 after preparing. The records say Crooks became quieter between his freshman and sophomore years and had difficulty speaking with teachers. His father also observed him talking to himself in the months before the attack, but said he saw no other signs of a potential mental illness.
Family response and cremation arrangements
The records portray the shooting as a surprise to Crooks’ family. After his death, his father took early retirement, while his mother, Mary Crooks, went on leave from work to process the situation. The family later worked with an attorney during interviews with investigators.
A family attorney told investigators that Crooks had been cremated shortly after the shooting. The documents state that an anonymous donor paid for the cremation. They do not identify the donor or explain the person’s relationship to the family, and they do not provide further details about the arrangements.
Motive remains unresolved
The federal records do not establish why Crooks carried out the attack or why he selected the rally. His father said Crooks had feared he might not get into college despite strong academic performance. Crooks also discussed joining the military and working on nuclear submarines, although it was unclear how seriously he considered that plan.
Investigators’ accounts of his isolation, academic concerns and behavioral changes provide background but do not amount to a confirmed motive. The documents therefore leave the central question of intent unresolved while adding detail about the events and personal circumstances that preceded the July 2024 shooting.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | Crooks attacked a 2024 rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, killing one person and seriously injuring two others. |
| 2 | Federal records say he used the alias “Bob Dole” for packages. |
| 3 | His father described him as socially isolated and increasingly quiet during high school. |
| 4 | An anonymous donor reportedly paid for his cremation after his death. |
| 5 | The records do not identify a motive for the attack. |
Summary
The newly disclosed records expand the public account of Thomas Matthew Crooks by documenting his use of an alias, his reported lack of close friendships, changes in his behavior and the circumstances of his cremation. They also confirm that investigators have not identified a clear motive for the attack at the Butler rally. The information offers additional context, but does not resolve why Crooks targeted the event.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Thomas Crooks?
Thomas Matthew Crooks was a 20-year-old from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, who opened fire at a campaign rally involving Donald Trump in Butler in July 2024.
What alias did Crooks use?
The records say Crooks used the alias “Bob Dole” when ordering packages, which he typically collected before his father returned from work.
Who paid for Crooks’ cremation?
The documents say an anonymous donor paid for the cremation. They do not identify the donor or explain the person’s connection to the family.
Has investigators’ motive been established?
No. The records describe Crooks’ background and behavior but do not establish why he carried out the attack.
