The father of Thomas Matthew Crooks, the 20-year-old who attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump, has hired a team of powerhouse attorneys as the FBI intensifies its investigation into his role in the assassination attempt.

According to the Daily Mail, Matthew Crooks, 53, has retained Quinn Logue, a Pittsburgh-based law firm that specializes in criminal defense and civil suits.

The move comes as the FBI continues to probe just how much Matthew Crooks knew ahead of his son's assassination attempt on July 13 at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

Thomas Crooks was "neutralized" by a Secret Service sniper 26 seconds after he first shot, but not before he had fired eight bullets, hitting Trump in a grazing shot to his right ear, killing retired fire chief Corey Comperatore, 50, and grievously wounding audience members James Copenhaver, 74, and David Dutch, 57.

Investigation Into Father's Role

The FBI is investigating whether Matthew Crooks had any knowledge of his son's plans to assassinate Trump.

According to a family member, the FBI "still very much has questions" regarding how much the killer's parents knew. The family member also revealed that Matthew Crooks is a gun enthusiast who has sold firearms to relatives in the past.

On Wednesday, Matthew Crooks was spotted outside his home, clutching a mystery manila kraft clasp envelope. He did not respond to attempts to elicit any comment on his son's possible motives or the events leading up to the shooting.

The family's bungalow home in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, has been the subject of much scrutiny since the assassination attempt.

The FBI removed 14 firearms from the small family home, as well as explosives, a second cellphone, a laptop, and a hard drive. Investigators also recovered rudimentary explosive devices from Crooks's car, a bullet-proof vest, additional magazines, and a drone.

Troubling Details Emerge

Troubling details have emerged since the attempted assassination, including the fact that Thomas Crooks searched online for information on Michigan mass shooter Ethan Crumbley and his parents.

Jennifer and James Crumbley were both found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in a landmark case that saw them deemed culpable for failing to act on clear signs that their 15-year-old son was plotting the 2021 High School shooting in which he killed four classmates.

According to a relative, guns were very much a part of the Crooks household. The family "didn't really take part in family holidays or gatherings," but Matthew Crooks's enthusiasm for guns was well-known.

Thomas Crooks left home on the day of the rally armed with an AR-15 style rifle that was bought legally by his father in 2013 and transferred to him in 2023.

Questions Over Motive

Despite the ongoing investigation, no clear motive for the shooting has emerged.

FBI profilers have speculated that Thomas Crooks may simply have wanted to commit a mass shooting and found a convenient target in the timing and geographical proximity of Trump's rally. The rally was held just 40 miles from where Thomas Crooks lived with his parents.

In April, Thomas Crooks searched websites for information on major depressive disorder and depressive crisis treatment. A family friend told the Daily Mail that they had been aware of a decline in Thomas Crooks's mental health in recent years and assumed he was either bipolar or schizophrenic.

Why This Story Matters

This tragic event is a stark reminder of the fragility of public safety and the devastating impact of gun violence. It compels us to confront uncomfortable realities about mental health and social responsibility. Encouraging ongoing dialogues and proactive community engagement can lead to stronger, safer communities.

Conclusion

The father of Thomas Matthew Crooks has hired a team of powerhouse attorneys as the FBI intensifies its investigation into his role in the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. The FBI is probing just how much Matthew Crooks knew ahead of his son's assassination attempt, which left one man dead and several others injured. The investigation has uncovered troubling details, including Thomas Crooks's online searches and his access to firearms. As the investigation continues, questions remain over the motive behind the shooting.