FBI documents obtained through a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit have revealed previously undisclosed information about Thomas Matthew Crooks, the gunman who wounded former President Donald Trump during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024.

The records show that a Butler County Sheriff's deputy exchanged two emails with Crooks before the attack, although the contents of the emails remain redacted.The deputy did not personally know Crooks and only became aware of the communications after being contacted by a reporter.

Additionally, FBI records describe that a medic observed a SWAT officer remove a device from Crooks' pocket after he was killed on the roof of the AGR building, which was later examined by explosive ordnance disposal personnel.The records also note that a police canine indicated the presence of potential explosives in the building beneath the roof, prompting an evacuation.

Judicial Watch, which secured the release of 48 pages of FBI records, continues to demand full transparency regarding Crooks, his contacts, and the circumstances surrounding the attack, emphasizing that key details remain hidden nearly two years after the incident.