FROM PATRIOT TO KILLER
Trump rally sniper Thomas Crooks was ‘loner’ rejected from rifle club for ‘bad shot’ as pic shows him in patriotic shirt
He'd been asked not to come back to the rifle club
THE gunman who opened fire on Donald Trump was a loner who was rejected from a school rifle club because he was such a bad shot, classmates say.
Thomas Crooks, 20, killed a rally attendee and wounded former president Trump and two others on Saturday as he unleashed a barrage of bullets at a rally in Pennsylvania.
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An image of Crooks from his 2020 Bethel High School yearbook showed him beaming in a patriotic T-shirt years before he launched his sick attack on Trump and his supporters.
He had a smile on his face and was wearing a faded gray shirt with the American flag and Mount Rushmore on it.
While at school, he received a "star award" of $500 from the National Math and Science Initiative.
Pictures from his 2022 high school graduation show the then-18-year-old gunman smiling in his black cap and gown as he accepted his diploma on stage.
Crooks was killed by a police sniper after he shot Trump in the ear at the rally.
He was reportedly registered as a Republican voter but made a $15 donation on President Joe Biden’s Inauguration Day in 2021 to the liberal ActBlue political action committee.
On Sunday, explosive devices were found in Crook's car, according to investigating officials.
He did not have his ID on him at the time and was identified by DNA.
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Pictures showed armed cops standing over his body on the roof and an AR-15 was reportedly recovered nearby.
Crooks appeared in a for BlackRock that was filmed at his high school.
Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, named as Trump rally shooter who killed supporter as he tried to assassinate ex-president
In the brief clip, the gunman sat at a table in a classroom with other students.
On Sunday, Blackrock removed any future airing of the company commercial, per a on X.
The gunman's father, Matthew Crooks, said he was trying to figure out "what the hell is going on," according to .
He added he would wait until he "speaks to law enforcement" before making any comments about his son.
Police officials told that investigators believe the gun was purchased by Crooks's father at least six months ago.
Donald Trump Rally Shooting Timeline
Donald Trump was shot at his Pennsylvania rally on July 13.
1pm: Doors open at the Butler Farm Show grounds where Trump was expected to speak at 5pm.
4:11pm: Sean Parnell gave the opening speech.
4:35pm: David McCormick rallied the crowd.
5:30pm: Crowds were still waiting for Trump.
6:03pm: Trump takes the stage.
6:11pm: Gunshots were fired as Trump delivered remarks.
6:12pm: Trump was ushered off stage by Secret Service agents.
6:42pm: Secret Service confirmed Trump is safe.
7:24pm: The shooter and one rally attendee are confirmed dead by law enforcement officials.
8:42pm: Trump confirms he was shot in the ear, sharing a statement on Truth Social.
8:49pm: The Secret Service confirms the shooter and a rally attendee are dead. Two others remain critically injured.
PEER REACTION
On Sunday, Crooks' former classmates revealed he had been bullied in school, according to .
They said he often wore "hunting" clothing to class.
Jason Kohler, 21, described Crooks as a loner, according to
Another student, 20-year-old Michael Dudjack said his former classmate was "on his own a lot."
However, Bethel Park High School alumni couldn't recall if he was vocal about his political beliefs.
Dudjak that he and other classmates were shocked to learn the news.
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"It's definitely terrifying for someone you went to school with to commit such a heinous act ... that's the craziest thing about it when it entered my brain," Dudjak told NBC News.
"You were in the same class as this person two years ago."
Sarah D'Angelo, another Bethel Park High student, told the that she also didn't remember Crooks "outwardly" speaking about politics.
"He never outwardly spoke about his political views or how much he hated Trump or anything," she told the outlet.
She also said he had a few friends but wasn't part of a "whole friend group.
D'Angelo recalled how he would play games on his computer before class began.
NEVER MADE THE TEAM
Jameson Myers, another classmate, said he was close with Crooks in elementary school, but not high school, reported
Myers said Crooks had tried out for the rifle team freshman year but didn't make the junior varsity roster.
After failing to make the team, Crooks didn't try out again for the rest of high school.
Myers said Crooks was a "nice kid who never talked poorly of anyone."
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He added: "I never have thought him capable of anything I've seen him do in the last few days."
"When I did speak with him, he just seemed like a normal boy who was not particularly popular but never got picked on or anything," Myers said.
Myer's said his try-out was "dangerous."
"He didn't just not make the team, he was asked not to come back because how bad of a shot he was, it was considered like, dangerous," he said.
HORRIFIC EVENTS
Trump was shot by Crooks on Saturday at around 6 pm.
He was speaking to his supporters when he clutched his ear and dropped to the ground.
His Secret Service team sprang into action, throwing their bodies onto the former president.
People could be heard screaming "Get down!" as shots were fired and they ducked for cover.
Once the former president stood up from the ground, he held his fist high in the air.
With blood pouring from his ear and splattered on his face, he mouthed "Fight, fight, fight" before he was quickly ushered to his car.
CONDEMNING VIOLENCE
After the shooting, Trump shared his experience on his social media platform, Truth Social.
"I want to thank The United States Secret Service, and all of Law Enforcement for their rapid response on the shooting that just took place in Butler, Pennsylvania," Trump wrote after the shooting.
"Most importantly, I want to extend my condolences to the family of the person at the Rally who was killed, and also to the family of another person that was badly injured.
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"It is incredible that such an act can take place in our Country. Nothing is known at this time about the shooter, who is now dead.
"I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear. I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin.
"Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening. GOD BLESS AMERICA!"
Other family members and supporters wished Trump well and gave their sympathies to the victim's family.
Joe Biden held a press conference after the events, calling the act "sick."
"Look, there's no place in America for this kind of violence. It's sick. We cannot condone this," he said.
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Former president Obama said in part, "There is absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy."
Trump's son, Donald Trump Jr shared one of the pictures of his father with his fist raised writing, "He'll never stop fighting to Save America."
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