Thomas Matthew Crooks’ assassination attempt on former President Trump in western Pennsylvania was recently analyzed by criminal profiler Keith Howard, the chief deputy of the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office in Georgia. According to Howard, the shooting was likely not politically motivated and not a random act of violence. He shared that the behavioral science behind Thomas Matthew Crooks’ attempted assassination suggests an “organized thinker” rather than an impulsive individual.
Howard emphasized that such events are typically planned by individuals who are organized thinkers and not spontaneous actors. He pointed out that it’s unlikely that Crooks woke up one day and decided to attempt to kill a presidential candidate without any prior planning or thought process. Even if Crooks may have been considered a loner with few friends, it doesn’t negate his ability to think and plan out such a crime.
The FBI’s investigation into the incident may reveal that this was a crime of opportunity rather than a politically motivated act. Howard highlighted the importance of behavioral analysis in understanding the individual’s motives and actions leading up to the assassination attempt. He mentioned that the FBI would likely conduct an indirect personality assessment by interviewing people who knew Crooks and comparing their responses with the crime scene information to construct a behavioral profile of the offender.
Access to Crooks’ cellphone and laptop could provide crucial insights into his mindset and motivations leading up to the shooting. Howard emphasized the significance of these electronic devices in understanding offender behavior and potentially uncovering any plans or motives. The FBI’s ability to track geofencing data from Crooks’ electronic devices could also aid in the investigation.
Crooks, who was shot dead by snipers after firing shots at Trump’s rally, was described by his classmates as a quiet individual with a small circle of friends. He was known to be an avid gamer who enjoyed building computers. Despite being a registered Republican, Crooks came from a family with diverse political affiliations, with his father being a registered Libertarian and his mother a Democrat.
As investigators continue to work on uncovering a motive for the assassination attempt, analyzing Crooks’ digital footprint and behavioral patterns could provide valuable insights into understanding what led to this violent act. The FBI’s comprehensive approach to gathering information and conducting behavioral analysis will be crucial in piecing together the puzzle of Crooks’ motivations.
