In a shocking turn of events, Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old who attempted to assassinate former US President Donald Trump during a rally in Pennsylvania, has been revealed to have a troubled past marked by bullying and isolation. According to a classmate who spoke to US media, Crooks was a "loner" who faced relentless bullying throughout his school years.
Crooks, known for his unique style of wearing hunting outfits and his passion for video games, often became the target of mockery due to his attire. "He liked to wear hunting outfits even in class," shared Jason Kohler, a classmate from Bethel Park High School, with KDKA TV, a CBS News affiliate in Pennsylvania.
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Reports indicate that Crooks graduated from Bethel Park High School in 2022, and images of him accepting his high school diploma have begun to surface. Interestingly, in January 2021, when current US President Joe Biden took office, Crooks made a $25 donation to ActBlue, a liberal political action committee. However, by September of the same year, upon turning 18, Crooks registered with the Republican Party. "He didn’t seem like really weird or anything. I would have pegged him as a Republican," an unnamed classmate told the New York Post.
Despite the gravity of his actions, the motive behind Crooks' attempt on Trump's life remains unclear. Law enforcement authorities have yet to uncover any manifesto or written explanation that might shed light on his anger towards Trump. The gun used in the assassination attempt was legally purchased and belonged to Crooks' father, who has declined to comment publicly.
The incident occurred while Trump was addressing his supporters in Butler, Pennsylvania. The moment, captured on live TV, showed Trump narrowly escaping harm as a bullet grazed his right ear. The former president quickly took cover behind the podium as Secret Service personnel shielded him from further danger. Snipers stationed on a nearby building swiftly neutralized Crooks.
