On Sunday, federal law enforcement authorities delved into the background of Thomas Matthew Crooks, the 20-year-old identified by the FBI as the gunman who allegedly opened fire at a Trump campaign rally in western Pennsylvania. Crooks, who was shot and killed by the Secret Service moments after he reportedly aimed at the former U.S. President, caused the death of one rally attendee and critically injured two others. Trump sustained a gunshot wound to his right ear.
Crooks, a resident of Bethel Park located an hour from Butler, Pennsylvania, was a registered Republican poised to vote in his first presidential election this November. Records reveal his father is also a registered Republican, while his mother is a registered Democrat. Interestingly, Crooks made a small $15 donation to ActBlue, a political action committee supporting Democratic candidates, years ago.
Former classmates from Bethel Park High School describe Crooks as a bright, quiet individual with interests in building computers and gaming rather than politics. He was super smart. That’s what really kind of threw me off was, this was, like, a smart kid, as he excelled, one classmate remarked. Despite his academic prowess, Crooks never displayed a notable interest in politics during their interactions.
Crooks had also received recognition for his academic achievements, including a $500 “star award” from the National Math and Science Initiative. His former classmate had not been in contact with him since their graduation in 2022.
Federal Election Commission filings and public records are currently being reviewed to uncover any potential motivations behind this tragic incident.
