Highlights

"He was quiet but he was just bullied. He was bullied so much," a student who attended school with Crooks said.

Latest news

US launches Christmas Day strikes on IS targets in Nigeria

US launches Christmas Day strikes on IS targets in Nigeria

Nitin Gadkari reveals how he met Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh hours before assassination in Tehran

Nitin Gadkari reveals how he met Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh hours before assassination in Tehran

BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman returns to Dhaka after 17 years in exile

BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman returns to Dhaka after 17 years in exile

India revamps tax regime in 2025, new I-T Act to take effect from April 1

India revamps tax regime in 2025, new I-T Act to take effect from April 1

BNP's acting chief Tarique Rahman set to return to Bangladesh after 17-year exile

BNP's acting chief Tarique Rahman set to return to Bangladesh after 17-year exile

Navi Mumbai International Airport starts commercial flight operations

Navi Mumbai International Airport starts commercial flight operations

PM Modi attends Christmas service at Delhi church, greets citizens

PM Modi attends Christmas service at Delhi church, greets citizens

Gujarat AAP MLA Chaitar Vasava refutes Rs 75 lakh extortion claims by BJP MP

Gujarat AAP MLA Chaitar Vasava refutes Rs 75 lakh extortion claims by BJP MP

Who was Thomas Matthew Crooks, the suspected Trump shooter?

The shooter was believed to be working alone, according to the FBI, and officials said they have not identified an ideology associated with him.

Who was Thomas Matthew Crooks, the suspected Trump shooter?

A 20-year-old Pennsylvania man, Thomas Matthew Crooks, has been identified as the suspected shooter who tried to assassinate former president Donald Trump at a campaign rally this weekend.

Secret Service snipers killed Crooks on Saturday after he fired multiple shots at the rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, from a nearby rooftop.

As authorities seek to understand his motivations, here is what we know of the alleged gunman:

'Quiet'

Crooks' former schoolmates described him as a "quiet" student who often came across as "lonely," ABC News reported.

He seemed "socially reserved," but a former schoolmate did not recall hearing him discuss politics or Trump.

Trump, 78, was hit in the ear at the rally. A bystander was killed and two spectators critically injured.

Jason Kohler, who said he attended school with Crooks, recalled that the alleged shooter had often been bullied.

"He was quiet but he was just bullied. He was bullied so much," Kohler told reporters.

He said Crooks had been made fun of for the way he dressed, noting that he would sometimes wear hunting outfits.

Dan Grzybek, a county council representative in the area where Crooks grew up, said the neighborhood was "pretty firmly middle class, maybe upper-middle class," according to The New York Times.

The Times added that Crooks had been working at a nursing home, and the organization was shocked to hear of his involvement in the shooting.

No military ties

Following the incident, investigators found a "suspicious device" in Crooks' car, which was inspected by bomb technicians and is being analyzed.

They noted that suspected explosive devices have been collected as evidence.

Authorities are now in the process of searching Crooks' phone.

Kevin Rojek, special agent in charge of the FBI's Pittsburgh field office, told reporters Sunday that the gun used in the shooting was an AR-style semi-automatic rifle which was purchased legally.

Investigators believe the weapon was purchased by Crooks' father.

Rojek added that there were no indications so far of any mental health issues.

Crooks also did not have military affiliations, according to Pentagon spokesman Major General Pat Ryder.

The FBI told reporters that they are investigating the incident as an assassination attempt and also a potential domestic terrorism act.

Acted alone

The shooter was believed to be working alone, according to the FBI, and officials said they have not identified an ideology associated with him.

His political leanings were not instantly clear.

News reports indicated he was a registered Republican, but also noted that he previously gave money to a Democratic-aligned progressive political action committee.

While social media platform Discordetha said it had identified an account that appeared linked to the suspect, this was "rarely utilized."

A spokesperson added that "we have found no evidence that it was used to plan this incident, promote violence, or discuss his political views."

The suspect's father Matthew Crooks on Saturday told CNN that he was trying to establish "what the hell is going on" before speaking about his son.

ADVERTISEMENT

Up Next

Who was Thomas Matthew Crooks, the suspected Trump shooter?

Who was Thomas Matthew Crooks, the suspected Trump shooter?

BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman returns to Dhaka after 17 years in exile

BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman returns to Dhaka after 17 years in exile

BNP's acting chief Tarique Rahman set to return to Bangladesh after 17-year exile

BNP's acting chief Tarique Rahman set to return to Bangladesh after 17-year exile

Flash floods occur across southern California as powerful Christmas storm hits

Flash floods occur across southern California as powerful Christmas storm hits

Pakistan sells national carrier PIA for Rs 4,300 crore after competitive bidding

Pakistan sells national carrier PIA for Rs 4,300 crore after competitive bidding

Yunus is working to improve ties with India, says Bangladesh's finance adviser

Yunus is working to improve ties with India, says Bangladesh's finance adviser

ADVERTISEMENT

editorji-whatsApp

More videos

US lawmakers express concern over total ban of Bangladesh's Awami League party

US lawmakers express concern over total ban of Bangladesh's Awami League party

Bangladesh govt to take responsibility of slain Hindu worker's family: Adviser

Bangladesh govt to take responsibility of slain Hindu worker's family: Adviser

Oxford Union debate: Indian law student calls out Pakistan's terror politics, video goes viral

Oxford Union debate: Indian law student calls out Pakistan's terror politics, video goes viral

Trump administration moves to overhaul how H-1B visas are granted, ending lottery system

Trump administration moves to overhaul how H-1B visas are granted, ending lottery system

Libya's top military chief killed in plane crash in Turkey

Libya's top military chief killed in plane crash in Turkey

New Epstein files reference Trump, justice department calls some claims untrue

New Epstein files reference Trump, justice department calls some claims untrue

Bangladesh summons Indian envoy over security concerns for missions

Bangladesh summons Indian envoy over security concerns for missions

US lawmakers condemn killing of Hindu man in Bangladesh

US lawmakers condemn killing of Hindu man in Bangladesh

Trump repeats claim he stopped potential nuclear war between India and Pakistan

Trump repeats claim he stopped potential nuclear war between India and Pakistan

Bangladeshi journalists say right to life at stake as mobs target media

Bangladeshi journalists say right to life at stake as mobs target media

Editorji Technologies Pvt. Ltd. © 2022 All Rights Reserved.