The parents of Thomas Matthew Crooks, the man who attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump, have hired a prominent criminal defense firm as the FBI deepens its investigation into their potential involvement.
According to the Daily Mail, the Crooks family has retained Quinn Logue, a Pittsburgh-based law firm known for handling high-profile criminal and civil cases.
The FBI is reportedly still questioning how much Thomas Crooks' parents knew about their son's plans prior to the July 13 assassination attempt at a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. A family member, speaking anonymously to the Daily Mail, revealed that investigators are particularly interested in the father's history as a gun enthusiast who has previously sold firearms to relatives.
The choice of Quinn Logue as legal representation suggests that Matthew and Mary Crooks, both 53, may be preparing for possible criminal charges or civil lawsuits. The firm's founding attorneys, John Quinn, and Matthew Logue, are recognized among Pittsburgh's top 50 lawyers and have a track record of handling complex criminal defense and civil cases, including wrongful death suits.
This development comes as the investigation into the assassination attempt continues to unfold. Thomas Crooks, 20, opened fire at the Trump rally, grazing the former president's ear and killing one person while seriously injuring two others. The attack lasted just 26 seconds before Crooks was neutralized by a Secret Service sniper.
The FBI's investigation appears to be centered on determining the extent of the parents' knowledge and any potential involvement in their son's actions. Investigators have removed 14 firearms, explosives, electronic devices, and other evidence from the family's home in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania.
A family member shared with the Daily Mail that "the FBI still very much has questions about how much they knew and how he [Thomas] slipped through the net."
This statement underscores the ongoing nature of the investigation and the authorities' interest in uncovering any missed warning signs or possible assistance provided to the shooter.
As part of the investigation, authorities have been examining Thomas Crooks' online activity in the months leading up to the attack. Intriguingly, searches related to Michigan school shooter Ethan Crumbley and his parents' legal troubles were found on Crooks' primary cellphone.
The Crumbley case, which resulted in the parents being convicted of involuntary manslaughter for failing to prevent their son's actions, may have implications for how investigators view the Crooks' potential culpability.
Additionally, there are indications that Thomas Crooks may have been struggling with mental health issues. In April, he reportedly searched for information on major depressive disorder and treatment options. A family friend suggested that Crooks had shown signs of declining mental health in recent years, though it's unclear if he received any official diagnosis or treatment.
The assassination attempt is also being scrutinized by a House task force comprised of 12 lawmakers. Republican congressman Mike Waltz has expressed skepticism about the FBI's assertion that Crooks acted alone, citing unanswered questions about foreign encrypted messaging accounts and the shooter's ability to create multiple explosives with remote detonators.
The hiring of a high-profile legal team by the Crooks family marks a significant development in the ongoing investigation into the Trump assassination attempt. As the FBI continues to probe the parents' potential involvement and knowledge of their son's plans, the case raises questions about parental responsibility and the prevention of such attacks. The coming weeks and months may reveal more about the circumstances surrounding this shocking event and its broader implications for security and law enforcement.
