Something is fishy in the whole story.
FBI’s Focus: The FBI is examining whether Crooks’ parents were aware of their son’s intentions or if they had any involvement in his preparation for the assassination attempt. Reports suggest that the parents have hired a high-profile legal team, signaling their preparedness to defend against potential charges or implications from the investigation UNILAD andWSAU News/Talk
The parents of Thomas Crooks, who attempted to assassinate former President Trump, have recently hired a top legal team as the FBI continues its investigation into how much they may have known about their son’s actions beforehand.
The investigation remains active, with one family member revealing that the FBI still has many unanswered questions regarding what Crooks’s parents, Matthew and Mary Crooks, knew about their son’s plans. The same source disclosed that Matthew Crooks, a 53-year-old gun enthusiast, has previously sold firearms to family members, raising questions about potential complicity or knowledge of his son’s activities.
Thomas Matthew Crooks reportedly used encrypted messaging accounts on multiple platforms based in Belgium, New Zealand and Germany, according to a member of a congressional task force investigating J13. It’s very doubtful Crooks was communicating with himself.
BTW—who is this… pic.twitter.com/briYqBi4og
— Tony Seruga (@TonySeruga) August 22, 2024
Florida Congressman Mike Waltz recently reignited speculation about whether Thomas Crooks acted alone. Waltz expressed skepticism about the notion that Crooks was a lone operator, suggesting the possibility of additional involvement.
The hiring of Quinn Logue, a prominent Pittsburgh-based law firm specializing in both criminal defense and civil litigation, suggests that the Crooks family is preparing for potential legal consequences. The firm, recognized for its expertise in wrongful death and personal injury cases, could signal the family’s concern about possible criminal charges or civil suits arising from the shooting incident.
Photographs have surfaced showing Matthew Crooks for the first time since his son’s cremation, ten days post-incident. The images capture him holding a manila envelope, suggesting he may be dealing with ongoing legal or personal matters. The photos, taken outside his home in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, depict him wearing casual attire and avoiding media questions regarding his son’s motivations and actions.
Trump Assassin Thomas Crooks had Encrypted Messaging Accounts in Belgium, Germany, New Zealand
And trained at same gun range used by DHS agents
But no media coverage. No media on assassination attempt at all. The Trump assassination story disappeared faster than Jimmy Hoffa.… pic.twitter.com/bPgIZYzj44
— 🇺🇸 Pamela Geller 🇺🇸 🇮🇱 (@PamelaGeller) August 22, 2024
The shooting occurred six weeks ago, during a Trump rally at Butler Farm Show Grounds, where Crooks fired multiple shots. The attack, which nearly resulted in the death of former President Trump, also caused severe injuries to other attendees and led to the death of retired fire chief Corey Comperatore. A Secret Service sniper neutralized Crooks within seconds of the shooting spree.
In the aftermath, details have surfaced that point to a potentially more complex situation than initially believed. Congressman Waltz and others have questioned the FBI’s assertion that Crooks acted alone, citing his use of encrypted messaging apps and his capability to construct explosives. Waltz’s concerns highlight the difficulty in fully understanding Crooks’s motivations and whether he had any assistance.
Reports indicate that Crooks’s parents were unaware of his exact whereabouts on the day of the attack and had contacted law enforcement when they couldn’t locate him. However, it remains unclear whether they knew he was armed at the time.
Investigations are also focusing on Crooks’s online behavior prior to the attack, uncovering searches related to previous mass shootings and information about Ethan Crumbley, a teenager involved in a school shooting whose parents were prosecuted for their role in enabling his actions. This discovery could suggest a deeper premeditation or interest in similar violent events.
🚨 Congressional Task Force Concludes Trump Assassin Not Acting Alone.
The recent findings by the Congressional task force investigating the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump have concluded that the attacker, Thomas Crooks, did not act alone. This… pic.twitter.com/Y0ncxZ8A35
— Lumi Casanova (@ArgueAlone) August 22, 2024
Family members have described the Crooks household as one where firearms were commonplace, and some relatives have noted Matthew Crooks’s active involvement in selling guns to family members. The rifle used in the attack was an AR-15 style weapon, legally purchased by Matthew Crooks in 2013 and later transferred to his son.
Following the shooting, the FBI seized numerous weapons and explosive devices from the Crooks residence, along with electronic devices that could provide further insights into Thomas Crooks’s mindset and planning. Despite this, a clear motive remains elusive. Some speculate that Crooks may have been driven by a desire to commit a mass shooting, targeting Trump’s rally due to its proximity and timing.
Concerns about Crooks’s mental health have also been raised, with one family friend noting that he appeared to suffer from possible mental health issues in recent years. Despite these concerns, there was no clear diagnosis or evidence of treatment, leaving questions about whether more could have been done to prevent the tragedy.
More
- Conservative Reactions: Republican figures, including U.S. Senator Ron Johnson, have criticized the pace of the investigation, accusing the FBI and the Secret Service of “dragging their feet” and “stonewalling” efforts to uncover the full details of the case. This sentiment reflects a broader frustration among conservatives about what they perceive as a lack of transparency and urgency in the investigation WSAU News/Talk
- Potential Legal Precedents: There is speculation that the FBI might consider legal precedents where parents were held accountable for their children’s violent actions, as seen in the case of the Oxford High School shooting in Michigan. This raises the stakes for Crooks’ parents, who are under scrutiny for their potential knowledge or negligence regarding their son’s actions WSAU News/Talk
- Encryption and Communication: There has been discussion about whether Crooks used encrypted messaging platforms and whether this might suggest a larger conspiracy or network. However, experts note that encryption alone does not prove involvement in a criminal conspiracy, as it is commonly used by the general public for legitimate purposes PolitiFact
Major Points
- The FBI investigates Thomas Crooks’s parents for potential knowledge or involvement in his assassination attempt on former President Trump.
- Speculation arises about whether Crooks acted alone, with evidence pointing to a possible network or additional involvement.
- The Crooks family hires Quinn Logue, a top legal firm, signaling their preparation for potential criminal charges or civil suits.
- Crooks’s online behavior and household environment, including access to firearms, raise questions about his motivations and planning.
- The investigation remains active, with ongoing scrutiny of the parents’ role, Crooks’s mental health, and the possibility of further legal consequences.
Fallon Jacobson – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
