Thomas Crooks posted cryptic warning on Steam before shooting Donald Trump

Thomas Crooks, the gunman who shot Donald Trump, posted an ominous warning on a gaming platform days before the shooting rampage that left one man dead and authorities scrambling to determine the motive.

Secret Service and FBI officials informed U.S. senators during a briefing on Wednesday that Crooks had posted on Steam, “July 13 will be my premiere, watch as it unfolds,” as reported by Fox News and the Daily Mail. Steam, a widely-used platform with millions of gamers, was one of the places Crooks frequented. Despite also spending time on Discord, the company reported no evidence that Crooks used it to plan the attack or promote violence.

On July 13, Trump was addressing supporters at the Butler Farm Show grounds in Pennsylvania when Crooks opened fire from a nearby rooftop. Trump, with a bloodied face, was swiftly taken off the stage by Secret Service. Corey Comperatore, a 50-year-old Trump supporter, was killed, and two others were critically wounded before a sniper fatally shot Crooks.

An FBI review of Crooks’ phone revealed searches for images of President Joe Biden, Trump, and other prominent figures days before the shooting, according to the New York Times. Other search targets included FBI Director Christopher Wray, Attorney General Merrick Garland, and a member of the British royal family.

Fox News reported that Crooks’ laptop showed searches for Trump, Biden, DNC convention dates, and the July 13 Trump rally. Additionally, Crooks searched for "major depressive disorder," according to the Times.