The Mysterious Life of Thomas Matthew Crooks: From High School Outcast to Trump Assassin
On July 14, 2024, the nation was shaken when 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania. As the FBI and media scrambled to uncover the motives behind this shocking act, a portrait of a troubled young man began to emerge.
Crooks, a 2022 graduate of Bethel Park High School in Pennsylvania, was described by former classmates as a “loner” who was “relentlessly bullied” during his school years. One classmate recalled that Crooks was “bullied almost every day” and was “just an outcast.” Another classmate noted that Crooks wore “hunting” outfits to school and was a “bad shooter” who was rejected from the school’s rifle team.
Despite his difficult high school experience, Crooks managed to graduate with honors and was accepted as a transfer student to the University of Pittsburgh for the fall 2024 semester. He also had a membership at the Clairton Sportsmen’s Club, a local shooting club.
On the day of the rally, Crooks purchased a box of ammunition containing 50 rounds. He then drove to the rally site, scaled the roof of a nearby building, and opened fire on the crowd, injuring Trump and killing one rally-goer.
Investigators found a “rudimentary” explosive device in Crooks’ car and discovered that the AR-style rifle used in the shooting was purchased by his father. A review of Crooks’ online activity, including his social media accounts, did not turn up any obvious red flags or evidence of a clear motive for the attack.
The FBI has identified Crooks as the shooter, and the investigation into his motives is ongoing. Meanwhile, the nation is left to grapple with the tragic consequences of this senseless act of violence.
