Staff Reports
In what sounds more like the plot of a twisted video game than reality, Pennsylvania has found itself at the center of a bizarre and tragic event. Thomas Matthew Crooks, who aimed at former President Donald Trump and other attendees at a rally, allegedly gave everyone a heads-up about his violent plans on the gaming platform Steam. Crooks, ever the dramatist, reportedly posted that “July 13 will be my premiere. Watch as it unfolds.” And unfold it did, just not in the way any sane person would want.
Police uncovered this digital breadcrumb on his laptop, which was a treasure trove of questionable queries, including searches for “Trump,” “Biden,” “when is the DNC convention,” and the “July 13 Trump rally.” This gleeful online antagonist had mapped out his itinerary. The Secret Service and FBI officials are now left with the unenviable task of briefing senators and figuring out how this flew under the radar.
Trump shooter posted on gaming platform Steam before act: ‘July 13 will be my premiere’ https://t.co/JQjMIHChch
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) July 18, 2024
Despite the shocking nature of the crime, no clear motive has been established. On the surface, there appears to be no strict ideological bent—although, considering his actions at a Trump rally, one has to wonder if that’s entirely true. What they did find, however, was that Crooks had a second cellphone packed with 27 contacts, all of which are now under scrutiny by the police. It’s worth noting that while he was a registered Republican who voted last in 2022, he also threw $15 toward a progressive group back in 2021. This raises some interesting questions about where his true loyalties lie, but those answers remain elusive.
Adding to the situation's absurdity, Crooks exhibited all the criminal finesse of a bungling cartoon villain. He apparently scouted the Trump rally while riding his bike, which he ditched in plain view of law enforcement. His trusty two-wheeler, along with a backpack, shoes, and shirt, was found yards away from the building where he fired shots at Trump. If only modern-day criminals would take notes from Agatha Christie novels instead of action video games.
In a twist straight out of a soap opera, Crooks’s parents contacted law enforcement hours before the shooting, worried that their son was missing and concerned for his welfare. What they knew or didn’t know remains a mystery, as tight-lipped police have yet to disclose any follow-up actions.
Meanwhile, multiple investigations are now in full swing—not just into Crooks’s night of infamy but also into the Secret Service’s response, or lack thereof. One would think the agency tasked with protecting a former President would have a better handle on such situations. The shooting has so far had an unexpected lack of impact on poll numbers, with Trump maintaining his lead over President Joe Biden. But as calls for Biden to step down grow louder, who knows? Perhaps Crooks’s misguided premiere might become a subplot in the 2024 election saga.
