History of Thomas Crooks in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: November 18, 2025

Thomas Matthew Crooks is an American man known for attempting to assassinate Donald Trump, who was a former U.S. president and the presumptive Republican Party nominee for the 2024 presidential election at the time of the attempt. This action places Crooks within the context of American politics and history, though further details about his motivations and background are not specified.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education

1986: Challenger disaster

In April 2023, Crooks criticized how NASA handled the 1986 Challenger disaster. He blamed NASA's administrators for the incident, claiming they were "trying to live up to the lofty promises they made to Congress which they were never going to be able to fulfill".

September 20, 2003: Thomas Crooks Born

On September 20, 2003, Thomas Matthew Crooks was born.

Others born on this day/year

2013: Father Purchased AR-15

In 2013, Thomas Crooks' father legally purchased an AR-15 style rifle, which was later legally transferred to Thomas in 2023.

2020: Social media activity of Thomas Crooks

Between 2019 and 2020, Thomas Crooks made about 700 comments on a social media account that appeared to reflect antisemitic and anti-immigration themes and espouse political violence. Deputy director Paul Abbate noted that the findings were preliminary.

January 20, 2021: Donation to Progressive Turnout Project

On January 20, 2021, Thomas Crooks, aged 17, donated $15 to the Progressive Turnout Project through ActBlue, coinciding with President Biden's inauguration.

September 2021: Registered to Vote as Republican

In September 2021, Thomas Crooks registered to vote as a Republican after turning 18.

2021: Joined National Technical Honor Society

In 2021, as a junior in high school, Thomas Crooks joined the National Technical Honor Society.

2022: Graduated High School with Honors

In 2022, Thomas Crooks graduated from Bethel Park High School with high honors and won a $500 "star award" from the National Math and Science Initiative.

2022: Unsubscribed from Mailing List

In 2022, Thomas Crooks unsubscribed from the Progressive Turnout Project's mailing list.

2022: Voted in Midterm Elections and wrote about 'Shooting an Elephant'

In 2022, Thomas Crooks voted in the midterm elections and wrote about George Orwell's essay "Shooting an Elephant".

April 2023: Expressed Frustration with American Politics in Essay

In April 2023, Thomas Crooks expressed his frustration with American politics and criticized NASA's handling of the 1986 Challenger disaster in school essays.

December 6, 2023: Online Activity Before Shooting

On December 6, 2023, Thomas Crooks cycled through news websites and visited gun websites, including one focused on the AR-15, before visiting his local shooting range.

2023: Received AR-15

In 2023, Thomas Crooks' father legally transferred an AR-15 style rifle, initially purchased in 2013, to Thomas.

January 2024: Ordered Nitromethane Online

In January 2024, Thomas Crooks placed an online order for more than two gallons of nitromethane, a fuel additive that can be used in explosives. He inquired about the package's delayed arrival on January 31.

July 6, 2024: Searched Assassination and Power Plant Information

On July 6, 2024, Thomas Crooks searched "how far was Oswald from Kennedy", along with information on power plants and the attempted assassination of Slovakian prime minister Robert Fico. He used aliases to buy firearm supplies and bomb-making material.

July 12, 2024: Practiced Firing at Shooting Range

On July 12, 2024, Thomas Crooks practiced firing at a shooting range where he was a member.

July 13, 2024: Thomas Crooks' Assassination Attempt and Death

On July 13, 2024, Thomas Crooks attempted to assassinate former U.S. president Donald Trump, injuring Trump and three audience members before being killed by the Secret Service.