Thomas Matthew Crooks may have been struggling with an undiagnosed mental health disorder — including some form of depression — before he shot up Donald Trump’s Pennsylvania rally, sources told The Post.
Although there are no explicit indications that Crooks, 20, ever sought professional mental health treatment, his digital footprint uncovered by investigators so far includes internet searches for major depressive disorder.
Thomas Matthew Crooks may have been struggling with his mental health, based on his web search history, which included searches for major depressive disorder, according to sources. Obtained by NY PostIt’s also believed Crooks fits the profile of a loner or outcast whose life has been characterized by isolation or rejection, with obsessive-compulsive tendencies and a knack for the mechanical or technical, including guns, sources said.
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’
The investigation so far has shown Crooks had virtually no online presence, so authorities are focusing on poring over his electronic devices for answers to why he nearly assassinated former President Donald Trump at a rally in Butler, Pa., on Saturday.
Sources said there are indications Crooks fit the profile of a loner or outcast whose life has been characterized by isolation or rejection. AFP via Getty ImagesBut the search has been slow due to the high volume of material authorities need to sift through — some 4.5 terabytes of data across a laptop, USB drives and two cellphones, sources said.
Searches of one of his phones haven’t revealed any clear motive for the young killer so far, but his web browser history revealed a broad interest in high-profile people, celebrities and politicians, regardless of their ideology.
In addition to doing searches about Trump and President Biden, Crooks researched FBI Director Christopher Wray, Attorney General Merrick Garland, and a member of the British royal family, the New York Times reported, without specifying which royal it was.
Investigators are sifting through around 4.5 terabytes of data from Crooks’ phones, laptop and USB devices as part of the search to determine his motive. Obtained by NY PostHe had pictures on his phone of both Biden and Trump, as well as Minority Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, sources said.
Would-be Trump assassin's timeline of terror
The Mayo Clinic defines major depressive disorder — more commonly known as depression — as “a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest” and “affects how you feel, think and behave, and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems.”
