Chilling new footage has emerged showing would-be assassin Thomas Crooks, 20, dry-firing a handgun in his bedroom, just weeks before he targeted President Donald Trump during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
The short, disturbing clips reportedly originated online but were later removed following Crooks’ violent attempt, according to Candace Owens’ podcast.
The videos show Crooks in a tactical stance, pointing a handgun at imaginary targets on his bed.
His room is sparsely decorated, save for a Marvel poster, and the 20-year-old wears casual athletic gear.
In another clip, he aims at a sheet of target paper with blue circles, practicing firearm handling with unnerving focus and precision.
Investigators say Crooks’ online footprint revealed a twisted obsession with assassinations, mass shootings, and explosives.
FBI analysis of his laptop revealed Google searches conducted just one week before the attack, including queries like “How far away was Oswald from Kennedy?” and other mass shooting events, per the New York Post.
Crooks even researched Ethan Crumbley, the Oxford High School shooter who killed four students in 2021.
Despite the dangerous behavior, former FBI Director Chris Wray testified that Crooks was not on the radar of federal law enforcement before his attempt.
The incident left Trump grazed in the ear and fatally killed MAGA supporter Corey Comperatore.
Authorities note that Crooks’ digital history showed escalating fascination with violence.
Searches included “Deadliest Mass Shooting in World,” “Pulse nightclub police body camera,” “Fertilizer bomb,” and “How to make a Molotov cocktail.” He also left violent comments online, including one advocating decapitation of “Trump hating democrats” in 2019.
Video footage of Crooks dry-firing a handgun highlights the premeditation and practice that preceded the attack.
Observers describe his actions as eerily calm, with the 20-year-old taking careful aim as if preparing for a real confrontation.
Investigators believe these practices reflect the mindset of someone increasingly fixated on violent acts.
The FBI confirmed that Crooks conducted these searches and rehearsals mere days before the shooting.
After the attempt, law enforcement recovered firearms and other materials linked to his preparation. Officials remain concerned about the potential influence of violent media and online echo chambers in radicalizing young individuals like Crooks.
This case also underscores gaps in monitoring potential threats. Crooks’ obsession with assassination history and weapons, combined with his internet research, went largely unnoticed until his actions culminated in a deadly assault on a high-profile political figure.
The disturbing footage is now part of the broader investigation into his motives and planning.
Crooks’ behavior prior to the attack, including posting videos online, demonstrates the warning signs that can precede targeted violence. Law enforcement officials continue to analyze his digital footprint and connections to ensure no further threats exist.
Meanwhile, the nation grapples with the terrifying reality of politically motivated violence from individuals radicalized online.
This shocking revelation has reignited debates over online radicalization, mental health, and security measures for public figures.
