According to Fox News, Thomas Matthew Crooks' cause of death was a gunshot wound to the head, and it was ruled a homicide by the Butler County Coroner's Office.
Former President Donald Trump narrowly escaped serious injury after an attack during a political rally that resulted in his assailant, Thomas Matthew Crooks, being shot and killed by the Secret Service.
Following Crooks' attack, the FBI took quick action, delving into his past and interviewing several former classmates. These discussions have highlighted his quietly reserved nature and his disdain for politicians.
Thomas Matthew Crooks was a resident of Bethel Park in Allegheny County, where he graduated from Bethel Park High School in 2022. His post-mortem examination also took place critically in Allegheny County, providing essential information about the altercation's violent end.
The Butler County Coroner's Office officially disclosed, "Crooks died of a gunshot wound to the head. His manner of death was ruled a homicide." This formal statement confirms the lethal use of force during the critical moments of the incident.
The dramatic nature of the events and Crooks' background prompted diverse reactions from his former peers. In stark contrast to his violent act, his classmates described him as often quiet but personable when engaged, illustrating the complex nature of his persona.
Fox News provided a graphic depicting the precise layout of the Trump rally and the sequence of events that unfolded, allowing viewers to visualize the proximity and vantage points concerning Crooks' actions.
A former classmate shared, "People would say he was the student who would shoot up the school." This chilling premonition from his school years highlights the deep concerns some had about his stability and potential for violence.
An unnamed source close to the situation lauded the precision shot that ended Crooks’ rampage. They described it as a "one-in-a-million shot," indicating the high level of expertise and readiness by the Secret Service agents on site.
Following the incident, investigators continued to sift through Crooks' history, leading to police operations at his home in Bethel Park on July 15, 2022. They aimed to uncover motives and any indicators that might explain his drastic actions towards a former U.S. president.
Among his peers, Crooks was rarely the center of attention. Descriptions varied from him being unassuming and a good conversationalist when approached; others expressed complete surprise at his involvement. "You definitely have to be crazy to do what he did, but I was so surprised when I found out it was him," one of the classmates said.
Despite the volatile end, many who knew Thomas Matthew Crooks painted a picture of a young man who, to some extent, integrated well into social settings, striking a sharp contrast with his drastic final act.
Former classmates expressed mixed emotions about Crooks, from shock to an underlying fear previously discussed during his schooling years. Although the event was brief, its impact continues to resonate across Butler, shedding light on the need for vigilant security measures and the complexities underlying such violent acts against public figures.
