On July 13, a shocking incident unfolded at a rally for former US President Donald Trump when Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, opened fire with an AR-15 rifle. The attack resulted in Crooks being fatally shot by US Secret Service snipers.
A troubled youth
Thomas Crooks, described by former classmates as a math and science prodigy, had a quiet and reserved demeanor. “He was bullied, he was just bullied so much,” said Jason Kohler, a fellow student who attended the same school. An undated video circulating on social media platform X shows Crooks being harassed by classmates, one of whom is seen forcefully pulling his pants while Crooks attempts to fend him off.
AFP, quoting Kohler, reported that Crooks was often ridiculed for his attire, which sometimes included hunting outfits. He was characterized as “lonely” and “socially reserved.” Another classmate remarked, “He was super smart. That’s what really kind of threw me off was, this was, like, a smart kid, like he excelled. Nothing crazy ever came up in any conversation.”
Academic achievements and work-life
Crooks graduated from Bethel Park High School in 2022 and received a $500 “star award” from the National Math and Science Initiative. A video from his graduation ceremony, cited by the New York Times, shows Crooks receiving his diploma to some applause, wearing glasses and a black graduation gown. At the time of the shooting, Crooks was employed as a dietary aide at a nursing home. The home’s administrator confirmed his employment in a statement.
Investigations revealed that Crooks had visited a shooting range on July 12, the day before the attack. On the morning of the rally, he purchased a five-foot ladder from Home Depot and 50 rounds of ammunition from a gun store. Sources indicate that he used the ladder to climb a building from which he opened fire at the 78-year-old Republican nominee.
No clear motive
The FBI stated on July 14 that Crooks’ social media profiles did not contain any threatening language, nor did they find any history of mental health issues. Officials confirmed that he acted alone and have yet to identify a motive. This tragic incident highlights the need for increased awareness and intervention in cases of bullying and social isolation, as well as stringent measures to prevent such acts of violence.