Trump Shooter Thomas Crooks's Cremation Funded By 'Anonymous Donor', New FBI Files Reveal

The cremation of Thomas Matthew Crooks, the 20-year-old gunman who opened fire at Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, was reportedly funded by an unidentified donor, according to newly released federal records.

The revelation is part of documents handed over to Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley amid a congressional inquiry into the July 13, 2024, assassination attempt. The records provide additional information about Crooks’ background, family, firearms interest and the handling of his remains after he was killed.

A summary of an FBI interview with Crooks’ father, Matthew, contains a note stating: “Anonymous donor paid for cremation.” The information was reportedly provided by a lawyer representing the Crooks family.

The documents also indicate that Matthew was unemployed at the time, while Crooks’ mother was on leave from her job.

Crooks’ body was cremated just 10 days after the shooting, a decision that had earlier drawn scrutiny from Republican Representative Clay Higgins, who wanted to examine the remains as part of his investigation into security failures surrounding the attack.

Crooks Used The Alias ‘Bob Dole’ While Receiving Packages

The newly released records also offer details about Crooks’ behaviour before the shooting. Investigators have found that Crooks used the alias “Bob Dole” while receiving packages and had ordered parts and tools that could increase the capacity of his rifle, Fox News reported.

Crooks reportedly became increasingly interested in firearms during the Covid-19 pandemic and began practising at a gun club. His father said he initially was a “terrible” shooter but improved with practice.

Investigators have also found few clear clues about his motive. His father said Crooks identified as a Republican and opposed the welfare state and “woke” ideology, but did not appear deeply engaged in Republican politics.

Crooks killed one person and wounded two others before being shot dead by Secret Service agents. Despite the latest disclosures, his motive for targeting Trump remains unclear.