Trump shooting: Suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks was 'outcast,' loner who was bullied at school

From The AP:
A nursing-home worker aged 20 from suburban Pittsburgh attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump. He was a registered Republican who loaded explosives into the vehicle he drove to the campaign rally, which was an hour from his residence.

Officials are currently investigating Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, to uncover his motivations for shooting at the rally from a nearby rooftop, resulting in the death of one spectator before he was killed by the Secret Service.

As of Sunday, law enforcement authorities have not identified any specific ideology, threatening writings, or concerning social media posts from Crooks. Public court records indicate he graduated from high school two years ago and had no prior criminal history. The FBI believes he acted alone.

Following the incident, Trump reported on social media that he sustained an injury to his right ear during the shooting. Two other spectators were critically injured, while Corey Comperatore, 50, a former fire chief, was hailed as a hero for shielding his family during the attack.

Crooks' relatives have not responded to requests for comment from The Associated Press. His father, Matthew Crooks, told CNN he was trying to understand the situation and would cooperate with law enforcement. An FBI official confirmed that Crooks' family is assisting in the investigation.

Crooks graduated from Bethel Park High School in 2022. Video footage from the school’s graduation ceremony shows him receiving his diploma, depicting him as slight of build and wearing glasses. The school district has pledged full cooperation with investigators. During his senior year, Crooks received recognition for his achievements in math and science, as reported by the Tribune-Review.

Although Crooks attempted to join the school's rifle team, he was rejected due to poor marksmanship, according to Frederick Mach, a current team captain who was a classmate of Crooks.

Jason Kohler, who attended the same high school as Crooks, recalled that he was often bullied and frequently ate lunch alone. Kohler mentioned that Crooks was mocked for his clothing choices, including hunting attire.

Crooks worked as a dietary aide at a nursing home, where his involvement in the incident shocked Marcie Grimm, the facility's administrator. She confirmed that Crooks had passed a background check before his employment.

While Crooks' political affiliations remain unclear, records show he was registered as a Republican voter in Pennsylvania. However, he also made a $15 donation to a progressive political action committee on January 20, 2021, the day of President Joe Biden's inauguration.

Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger confirmed that Crooks was not previously known to investigators in his county and was not under surveillance. The ongoing investigation has not uncovered any evidence suggesting he had accomplices in the region.

Following the incident, authorities established a blockade around Crooks’ residence, located in a quiet neighborhood outside Pittsburgh. Police presence was heightened, with a bomb squad arriving at his home where bomb-making materials were reportedly found.

Crooks used an AR-style rifle during the attack, believed to have been purchased by his father. FBI Special Agent Kevin Rojek stated that it remains unclear whether Crooks obtained the firearm with or without his father's permission.

During the incident, Crooks engaged with a local police officer before firing at Trump, prompting Secret Service snipers to intervene and fatally shoot him.