Por Renan Filho · 2026-10-03**Lead**
In the days preceding the July 13 assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, the gunman, Thomas Matthew Crooks, sent a series of enigmatic text messages concerning a 3D printer, according to a new report from a major news outlet. The communications, which have been obtained by investigators, are now a central focus of the ongoing federal probe into the deadliest security breach targeting a U.S. presidential candidate in decades. The messages, sent to an unidentified recipient, reportedly inquired about the capabilities and acquisition of a 3D printer, a device that can be used to manufacture firearm components, including lower receivers for rifles.
**Context**
The revelation adds a new layer of complexity to the investigation into the 20-year-old nursing home aide who managed to fire multiple rounds from a rooftop approximately 130 yards from the stage where Trump was speaking. Crooks was fatally shot by a Secret Service counter-sniper team moments after opening fire, but not before he killed one rally attendee, Corey Comperatore, and critically injured two others, David Dutch and James Copenhaver. The attack sent shockwaves through the nation, prompting immediate calls for a review of security protocols for high-profile political events.
According to the report, which cites unnamed law enforcement sources familiar with the investigation, the texts about the 3D printer were sent within a week of the rally. The messages were not overtly threatening but were described as “technically curious” and “specific” regarding the printer’s ability to produce parts from polymer materials. Investigators are now working to determine whether Crooks actually acquired a 3D printer and, if so, whether he used it to manufacture any components of the AR-15-style rifle recovered at the scene. The weapon, a DPMS-brand AR-15 chambered in 5.56mm, was purchased legally by Crooks’ father in 2013, according to the FBI. However, the presence of a 3D printer could indicate an attempt to modify the weapon or produce untraceable parts, a growing concern for law enforcement agencies nationwide.
The FBI has confirmed that Crooks conducted extensive online searches in the months leading up to the attack, including queries about the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, the location of Trump’s rallies, and the layout of the Butler Farm Show grounds. The 3D printer texts, however, represent a more concrete, interactive step in his planning. They were discovered during a forensic examination of Crooks’ cellphone, which was recovered from his body. The recipient of the texts has been interviewed by authorities and is not considered a suspect, according to the report.
**Analise**
The significance of the 3D printer angle cannot be overstated in the context of modern security threats. The proliferation of affordable desktop 3D printers has created a new frontier for homemade firearms, often referred to as “ghost guns.” These weapons lack serial numbers and are virtually untraceable, making them a favorite among individuals who wish to evade background checks and law enforcement scrutiny. While the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has implemented new regulations to curb the sale of untraceable firearm kits, the technology continues to evolve faster than the legal framework can adapt.
If it is confirmed that Crooks used a 3D printer to manufacture a critical component of his rifle, it would mark a disturbing escalation in the methodology of political assassins. Previous attackers, such as the gunman who targeted Representative Gabby Giffords in 2011 or the man who shot at Republican lawmakers during a baseball practice in 2017, used commercially available firearms. The introduction of 3D-printed parts into a high-profile assassination attempt would signal a new, more technically sophisticated threat vector that security agencies must now account for.
Furthermore, the texts raise questions about the effectiveness of current threat assessment protocols. Crooks had been flagged by the Secret Service as a “person of interest” on the day of the rally due to his suspicious behavior, including the use of a rangefinder. Yet, he was allowed to remain in the security perimeter. The 3D printer messages, sent days earlier, were not intercepted in real time, highlighting the immense challenge of monitoring the vast digital footprint of a lone wolf actor who does not communicate with known extremist networks. The case underscores the need for enhanced data-sharing between social media platforms, telecommunications companies, and federal law enforcement, a debate that is likely to intensify in the coming weeks.
**Fontes**
This report is based on information published by a major U.S. news organization, which cited unnamed law enforcement sources familiar with the investigation into the July 13 assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania. Additional context was drawn from official statements released by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the United States Secret Service, and the Butler County District Attorney’s Office. Details regarding the victims, the weapon used, and Crooks’ background have been previously confirmed by federal authorities in press conferences and public filings.