On July 13, 2024, a shocking attempt to assassinate former President Trump unfolded at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
According to Fox News, classmates described Thomas Matthew Crooks, the would-be assassin of former President Trump, as an "outcast" and "loner" following his shooting by Secret Service agents on Saturday.
Thomas Crooks, a 2022 Bethel Park High School graduate in Pennsylvania, was hardly known for political activism, said his former classmates. His unexpected violent outburst has left the community and investigators searching for motives.
Described by peers from his high school days as a solitary figure, Crooks often faced bullying due to his demeanor and appearance. "If someone would say something to his face, he would just kind of stare at them," remembered Julianna Grooms, a former classmate.
According to Grooms, this treatment led many to label Crooks unfairly, and hurtful stereotypes about hygiene and social skills made him a frequent target.
Thomas Crooks' journey post-graduation saw him employed as a dietary aide at a local skilled nursing and rehabilitation center. Marcie Grimm, the center administrator, noted that he was a reliable worker who "performed his job without concern." Despite his quietness, Crooks' behavior at work did not suggest the violent path he would take.
Crooks also attempted to integrate into social groups like the school's rifle club, although he wasn't accepted. Nevertheless, he was a member of the Clairton Sportsmen's Club, indicating an ongoing interest in firearms.
Hobbies during his high school years included wearing camouflage or hunting attire, hinting at an outdoors inclination that was perhaps one of his few respites from social exclusion.
Crooks' disparate interests also led him to excel academically in specific areas, earning a National Math & Science Initiative Star Award in 2022. Yet, class memories do not suggest that he shared or discussed his conservative viewpoints actively.
As federal investigators probe deeper, they hope to uncover any clues that could piece together Crooks' motives. The investigation led officials back to sites like the Clairton Sportsmen’s Club, searching for any links or inspirations that might have triggered his drastic actions.
Max R. Smith, who recalled Crooks' conservative stance, expressed confusion over the targets chosen by Crooks, speculating on the paradox of his actions. "He was conservative. It makes me wonder why he would carry out an assassination attempt on the conservative candidate."
Jason Kohler, reflecting on Thomas Crooks, described him as an "outcast, always alone and bullied every day." As the community grapples with this tragic event, insights from those who knew Crooks paint a portrait of a young man deeply affected by isolation. Julianna Grooms elaborated on Crooks's challenges, stating:
People would say he was the student who would shoot up the school. They would tease him about his poor hygiene and his body odor. He was an easy target.
The life and actions of Thomas Matthew Crooks have left many unanswered questions. What triggered his violence? How did someone so reserve turn to such drastic action? These are the puzzles left behind from a day that shook the nation, pointing to a complex interplay of personal struggles and external influences.
