A 20-year-old shooter, identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, attempted to assassinate former President Trump on Saturday. Crooks, who worked as a dietary aide at a nursing home, was a member of the Clairton Sportsmen’s Club, a shooting club located in Clairton, Pennsylvania. The club’s attorney, Robert S. Bootay III, expressed condolences to the victims and their families, while emphasizing the club’s disapproval of the violent act.
The Clairton Sportsmen’s Club, known for its premier shooting facilities, boasts over 2,000 members and offers various shooting ranges, safety courses, and archery facilities. Crooks used an AR-style 556 rifle, legally purchased by his father, Matthew Crooks, in the assassination attempt. Matthew Crooks is a licensed counselor in Pennsylvania.
Authorities discovered a suspicious device in Thomas Matthew Crooks’ car, which was later rendered safe by bomb technicians. The FBI is currently analyzing the device as part of their ongoing investigation. While there are no indications of mental health issues at this time, law enforcement is examining Crooks’ social media accounts for any potential threatening language or clues about his ideology or motive.
Crooks, a recent graduate of Bethel Park High School, was described as a bright student who received an award for math and science during his senior year. However, fellow students reported that he was frequently bullied and often sat alone at lunch. He attempted to join the high school’s rifle team during his freshman year but did not make the cut.
In addition to his job as a dietary aide, Crooks was a registered Republican voter in Pennsylvania. However, federal campaign finance reports indicate that he donated $15 to a progressive political action committee on the day President Biden was inaugurated. Images of Crooks’ body wearing a T-shirt from the YouTube channel Demolition Ranch, known for its firearm-related content, have surfaced online.
The investigation is ongoing, and the Bethel Park School District has pledged full cooperation with law enforcement. The nursing home where Crooks worked expressed shock and sadness over his involvement, stating that he had passed a clean background check upon hiring.
