On July 13, 2024, at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, a tragic shooting incident left one person dead, two critically injured, and former President Donald Trump wounded. The shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, managed to position himself within range by scaling a nearby building, exploiting lapses in Secret Service protocols. Crooks fired eight rounds before being taken down by a SWAT officer. However, the case has drawn controversy not only for the attack itself but also for the handling of Crooks’ body afterward, which was returned to his family and cremated just 10 days later.
Louisiana Representative Clay Higgins voiced concern over the FBI’s handling of the body, claiming that he attempted to inspect Crooks’ remains on August 5 but discovered it had already been cremated on July 23. Higgins noted that the FBI’s action caught local officials by surprise, stating, “My effort to examine Crooks’ body on Monday, August 5, caused quite a stir and revealed a disturbing fact… the FBI released the body for cremation 10 days after [July 13].” He argued that this rapid release hindered the possibility of further forensic analysis, which he believes could have been valuable for ongoing investigations.
Higgins highlighted that on the day Crooks was cremated, both the Homeland Security Committee and the Oversight Committee had launched investigations into the July 13 attack. He also expressed concerns regarding the FBI’s decision to remove biological evidence from the crime scene, questioning if vital forensic data may have been lost. First responders reportedly expressed shock and disbelief at the FBI’s decision to clear the area only three days after the incident, with some speculating that Crooks had positioned himself on the rooftop to minimize the risk of counterfire from the ground and Secret Service agents.
The FBI’s actions fueled a wave of online conspiracy theories, with some social media users falsely suggesting the involvement of a second shooter. CBS News confirmed, however, that no evidence supported these claims, although Rep. Higgins has yet to rule out the possibility entirely.
In response, the FBI publicly refuted Higgins’ allegations, asserting that the body’s release followed standard protocols coordinated with the coroner’s office and local law enforcement. According to officials, the crime scene was carefully documented, and every investigative procedure was methodical, concluding with the return of the property to its owners. The FBI also clarified that cleanup efforts at the site were conducted according to established protocols, as reported by Fox News.
Despite the FBI’s reassurances, Higgins maintains that the hasty cremation raises concerns about transparency and accountability in handling a high-profile investigation, leaving many questions unanswered as investigations continue.