The parents of Thomas Matthew Crooks, the man who attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump, have hired a team of prominent attorneys as the FBI intensifies its investigation into their potential involvement.
According to the Daily Mail, the Crooks family has retained Quinn Logue, a Pittsburgh-based law firm specializing in criminal defense and civil litigation, including wrongful death and personal injury cases.
The decision to hire legal representation comes as the FBI continues to probe the extent of the parents' knowledge before their son attacks Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024. A family member, speaking anonymously to the Daily Mail, revealed that the FBI "still very much has questions" about how much the parents knew and how Thomas Crooks "slipped through the net."
The Crooks family's choice of Quinn Logue, a firm known for its expertise in criminal and civil matters, suggests they may be preparing for possible criminal charges or civil lawsuits from other victims' families. Founded by John Quinn and Matthew Logue, the firm has received recognition, with both attorneys named among the "Top 50 Lawyers in Pittsburgh."
Matthew Crooks, 53, the shooter's father, was recently spotted outside his Bethel Park, Pennsylvania home, carrying a manila envelope. He did not respond to attempts by reporters to elicit comments about his son's motives or the events leading up to the shooting.
The family member who spoke to the Daily Mail also disclosed that Matthew Crooks is a gun enthusiast who has previously sold firearms to relatives. This information adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing investigation.
The FBI's continued interest in the parents' involvement has been further fueled by comments from Florida U.S. Representative Mike Waltz. In an exclusive interview with the Daily Mail, Waltz questioned whether Thomas Crooks acted alone, citing the shooter's possession of foreign encrypted messaging accounts and his ability to create multiple explosives with remote detonators.
Waltz expressed skepticism about the FBI's assertion that Crooks acted alone, stating:
You can't tell us his motive, but you could tell us he operated alone? You can't get into these encrypted overseas accounts, but you can tell us he acted alone? So, I don't buy that yet.
These statements from a high-ranking lawmaker have added weight to the ongoing investigation and raised questions about potential accomplices or influences in the assassination attempt.
In the weeks following the attack, investigators have focused on Thomas Crooks's online activity in the months and days leading up to the incident.
Notably, it was discovered that he had searched for information about Michigan mass shooter Ethan Crumbley and his parents, who were found guilty of involuntary manslaughter for failing to prevent their son's school shooting.
The family friend who spoke to the Daily Mail revealed concerns about Thomas Crooks's mental health in recent years, speculating that he might have been bipolar or schizophrenic. However, they were unsure if he had received any official diagnosis or treatment for his behavior, which they described as "off."
As the FBI continues its investigation into the attempted assassination of Donald Trump, the focus has expanded to include the potential involvement of Thomas Crooks's parents. The hiring of a high-profile legal team by the Crooks family suggests they are preparing for possible legal challenges. With questions still surrounding the shooter's motives, online activities, and potential accomplices, the case remains complex and ongoing. The FBI's probe and statements from lawmakers like Rep. Mike Waltz indicate that there may be more to uncover in this high-profile assassination attempt.
