Thomas Crooks trained with long rifle up to the day before he shot at Trump: docs

( NewsNation ) — Newly released documents from the investigation into Thomas Matthew Crooks, who attempted to assassinate President Trump in 2024, provide new details about his firearms training before the attack and how people around him said he appeared nonviolent, even as his interest in shooting became more intense.

The docs were part of a large records request filed by various media outlets and included details surrounding how authorities were able to piece together Crooks’ whereabouts.

The records also detail the sprawling investigation, which involved thousands of tips and hundreds of interviews as authorities worked to reconstruct the gunman’s movements and determine a motive .

Authorities spoke to several people who said they either saw or encountered Crooks the day of the shooting. According to the documents, he registered for Trump’s July 13, 2024, rally in Butler, Pa., on July 6 and requested one ticket.

Federal authorities said during the campaign event, he fired several shots at Trump, one of which grazed the top of the then-GOP presidential candidate’s ear.

Crooks killed Pennsylvania firefighter Corey Comperatore and injured two people at that rally before he was taken out by a U.S. Secret Service sniper.

The FBI said its investigation did not establish a definitive motive or uncover credible evidence that Crooks conspired with anyone else.

Investigators also previously disclosed that in the 30 days before the attack, Crooks conducted more than 60 searches related to both Trump and then-President Biden.

Crooks spent significant time at shooting ranges

Records show that Crooks took three paid firearms-training courses in the seven weeks before the assassination attempt , providing new details about the extent of his formal training leading up to the shooting.

The 2024 courses included a basic carbine Course on May 25, a basic handgun course on June 13 and an intermediate handgun course on June 22.

Crooks regularly went to the Clairton Sportsmen’s Club, about once a week, where he would take a rifle and shotgun. Shooting was described as his “new hobby.”

Witnesses told investigators he regularly practiced on targets as far as 100 yards away, and one training course classmate said they were “very impressed” with his marksmanship.

One of his shooting instructors described Crooks as “quiet, stayed to himself, loner, and non-aggressive.”

The records also show his interest becoming more advanced.

Crooks bought ammunition and gun accessories online, including a chest rig and ceramic plates. Additionally, he became interested in rapid-action range-transition shooting, according to the documents.

Crooks described as ‘quiet’ and ‘pleasant’

Despite Crooks’ increasing involvement with firearms, people who knew him described no obvious warning signs, while witnesses offered differing accounts of his political views.

A friend said he “liked to shoot rifles” but had never expressed a desire to harm anyone and was not known to have mental health or substance-abuse problems.

Another person close to Crooks told investigators he “never expressed political views or an interest in explosives” and said his behavior in the days leading up to the shooting did not appear out of the ordinary.

Several names were redacted in the public records.

Someone who worked with Crooks described him as “a pleasant individual” and remembered him as “excelling in the course.”

For a final project, the gunman designed and 3D-printed a Rubik’s Cube with Braille so it could be used by people who are blind. The witness said he “never had any negative interaction with Crooks,” though their contact was limited to the classroom and lab.

He was repeatedly described as an exceptional student with high SAT scores, straight As and perfect attendance.

One person said Crooks was “quiet,” “helpful and friendly,” and said he had never done anything to make them believe “there was an ounce of violence in him.”

He was also described as an isolated student who was bullied and had few disciplinary issues.

The newly released interviews also provide more detail about conflicting recollections of his politics.

One witness said Crooks called himself a Republican and opposed “woke” ideology but did not believe the 2020 election was rigged. A relative also told investigators that the shooter did not believe the 2020 election fraud claims.

Another recalled him removing signs that said, “Keep Trump out of office” and referring to “commies.”

Though none of the accounts describe him as intensely political.