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The Quiet Unraveling of the Man Who Almost Killed Trump
{video clip}
In 2022, Thomas Crooks was a soft-spoken community college student who made speeches like this one for class.
Less than two years later, he mounted a roof and fired eight bullets toward Donald J. Trump.
{aerial view of rally site}
Photograph: Kristian Thacker for The New York Times.
The Quiet Unraveling of the Man Who Almost Killed Trump
Thomas Crooks was a nerdy engineering student on the dean’s list. He stockpiled explosive materials for months before his attack on Donald Trump, as his mental health eroded.
By Steve Eder and Tawnell D. Hobbs
June 8, 2025, 5:00 a.m. ET
Thomas Crooks was acting strangely. Sometimes he danced around his bedroom late into the night. Other times, he talked to himself with his hands waving around.
These unusual behaviors intensified last summer, after he graduated with high honors from a community college. He also visited a shooting range, grew out his thin brown hair and searched online for “major depressive disorder” and “depression crisis.” His father noticed the shift — mental health problems ran in the family.
On the afternoon of July 13, Mr. Crooks told his parents he was heading to the range and left home with a rifle. Hours later, he mounted a roof at a presidential campaign rally in western Pennsylvania and tried to assassinate Donald J. Trump.
That scene has been etched into American history. After a bullet grazed Mr. Trump’s ear, he lifted his blood-streaked face, pumped his fist and shouted the words: “Fight! Fight! Fight!” Mr. Trump has said that God saved him in order to save America, and the White House recently unveiled a statue in the Oval Office commemorating the moment.
{snip}
Mr. Crooks lived with his parents in the suburban town of Bethel Park, Pa. Kristian Thacker for The New York Times
{snip}
Reporting was contributed by Emily Cochrane, Adam Goldman, Steven Rich, Glenn Thrush and Aric Toler. Julie Tate contributed research. Produced by Gabriel Gianordoli, Jenni Lee and Rumsey Taylor.
Steve Eder has been an investigative reporter for The Times for more than a decade.
Tawnell D. Hobbs is an investigative reporter for The Times.
In 2022, Thomas Crooks was a soft-spoken community college student who made speeches like this one for class.
Less than two years later, he mounted a roof and fired eight bullets toward Donald J. Trump.
{aerial view of rally site}
Photograph: Kristian Thacker for The New York Times.
The Quiet Unraveling of the Man Who Almost Killed Trump
Thomas Crooks was a nerdy engineering student on the dean’s list. He stockpiled explosive materials for months before his attack on Donald Trump, as his mental health eroded.
By Steve Eder and Tawnell D. Hobbs
June 8, 2025, 5:00 a.m. ET
Thomas Crooks was acting strangely. Sometimes he danced around his bedroom late into the night. Other times, he talked to himself with his hands waving around.
These unusual behaviors intensified last summer, after he graduated with high honors from a community college. He also visited a shooting range, grew out his thin brown hair and searched online for “major depressive disorder” and “depression crisis.” His father noticed the shift — mental health problems ran in the family.
On the afternoon of July 13, Mr. Crooks told his parents he was heading to the range and left home with a rifle. Hours later, he mounted a roof at a presidential campaign rally in western Pennsylvania and tried to assassinate Donald J. Trump.
That scene has been etched into American history. After a bullet grazed Mr. Trump’s ear, he lifted his blood-streaked face, pumped his fist and shouted the words: “Fight! Fight! Fight!” Mr. Trump has said that God saved him in order to save America, and the White House recently unveiled a statue in the Oval Office commemorating the moment.
{snip}
Mr. Crooks lived with his parents in the suburban town of Bethel Park, Pa. Kristian Thacker for The New York Times
{snip}
Reporting was contributed by Emily Cochrane, Adam Goldman, Steven Rich, Glenn Thrush and Aric Toler. Julie Tate contributed research. Produced by Gabriel Gianordoli, Jenni Lee and Rumsey Taylor.
Steve Eder has been an investigative reporter for The Times for more than a decade.
Tawnell D. Hobbs is an investigative reporter for The Times.
3 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
= new reply since forum marked as read
Was a rival of my high school. A North Allegheny graduate wouldn't have missed. 