A gunman, Thomas Matthew Crooks, teased an attack online before opening fire at a campaign rally in Butler, PA, injuring several and killing one. Investigations reveal Crooks posted threats on the gaming platform Steam days before the incident.
BUTLER, PA (1-minute read) — Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, foreshadowed his attack online before climbing onto a roof and opening fire at a Pennsylvania campaign rally on July 13, killing one person and injuring others, including former President Donald Trump, Fox News reports.
Federal investigators disclosed to U.S. senators that Crooks posted a threatening message on the gaming platform “Steam” a few days before the incident.
The message read: “July 13 will be my premiere, watch as it unfolds.”
Steam, widely used by millions of gamers for purchasing and communicating about games, became a focal point as investigators reviewed Crooks’ technological devices, including his cell phones and laptop. Searches on his laptop in early July included terms like “Trump,” “Biden,” “when is the DNC convention,” and “July 13 Trump rally.” However, officials found no evidence of a specific ideology, and interviews did not reveal Crooks discussing politics.
The investigation uncovered that Crooks had two cell phones. The primary phone, recovered from the scene along with a remote transmitter, was supplemented by a secondary phone found at his home containing only 27 contacts. The FBI is currently tracking and interviewing these contacts.
Safety Tip: Always report any threatening or suspicious messages seen online to the appropriate authorities. Prompt reporting can prevent potential threats from escalating into real-world violence.
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