A former classmate of Donald Trump’s rally shooter has claimed that the shooter had a general dislike for popular politicians. Thomas Matthew Crooks was identified on Saturday, July 13, 2024, after he attempted to assassinate the Republican presidential candidate. Crooks’ former classmate has stated that the 20-year-old shooter made fun of him after realizing he was a supporter of Trump. 

Thomas Matthew Crooks and Vincent Taormina’s Conversation

On Tuesday, July 16, 2024, Vincent Taormina, a former classmate of Crooks, gave an interview to Fox News. According to the interview, Taormina told Crooks that he was a Trump supporter despite his Hispanic background and origins. However, Crooks was rather shocked by Taormina’s statement, asking if he doesn’t hate Trump, given the former president’s rocky history with Hispanics.

Taormina had responded Crooks that. “No. He’s great. He was a great president. He called me stupid – or insinuated that I was stupid.” According to Taormina, this conversation occurred sometime in 2016 while they were both present for an English class. Additionally, Taormina said, “He just did not like politicians, especially with the choices that we had, he did not like our politicians.”

In 2016, Trump was campaigning for the office of the president for the first time through the republican platform. At the time the statement was made, Trump was campaigning against former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Senator Bernie Sanders.

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Vincent Taormina Describes Thomas Matthew Crooks

According to Taormina, Crooks was a very quiet individual, who hardly voiced his opinion except on topics that he was overly passionate about. Taormina claimed that Crooks was very passionate about maths and politics and that he could be very smug and arrogant when he talked about them.

Additionally, Taormina stated that Crooks always acted like he knew everything when he talked about politics and that he didn’t like politicians. Taormina said, “He would just talk, talk and act like he knew everything, especially politics-related things, and he would say it in a tone that was like, ‘I’m better than you,’ in a type of way.”

However, Taormina claimed that the reports of Crooks being a complete loner and having no social interaction without anybody were untrue. Taormina stated that Crooks had a friend group that was both small and concerning. He claimed that Crooks and friends were the type of people who threatened to shoot up their school.

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Although Taormina stated that he had no concrete evidence, Crooks was allegedly the source of the threat. Taormina stated that Crooks’ behavior changed once the rumors began circulating as he became more reserved, never sharing his political opinions with others.

Taormina however noted that Crooks had enough friends, so someone should have seen a warning sign along the way. He declared that everyone who knew him should have noticed something was off. Taormina continued that before people do something of the sort, their are often tell-tale signs.

Who is Trump’s Rally Shooter?

Thomas Matthew Crooks has been named by the FBI as the suspect in the attempted assassination of President Trump. The 20-year-old Crooks resided in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, which was an hour’s drive from the rally’s location. Crooks’ assassination attempt resulted in the injuries of three people and the death of one.

Crooks obtained his diploma from Bethel Park High School in 2022, winning a $500 cash prize for the National Math and Science Initiative’s Star Award. A video that has been making the rounds on the internet shows Crooks at his high school graduation in 2022. A school official snapped a photo of Crooks holding glasses and a customary black graduation robe.

In the November 2024 election, Crooks registered as a Republican, based on data from Pennsylvania voter records. The presidential election would be Crooks’ first election he was legally allowed vote in since he turned eighteen in 2022. On the other hand, Crooks, who is 17 years old, donated $15 to ActBlue in 2021, regardless of his political allegiance.

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What Happened to Trump’s Rally Shooter?

Crooks’ attempted assassination attempt resulted in the death of Corey Comperatore, a  50-year-old father of two. Additionally, the gunfire resulted in critically injuring 57-year-old David Dutch and 74-year-old James Copenhaver. Crooks’ had missed Trump, hitting him just above his right ear.

Authorities reported that Crooks was “neutralized” at the scene by Secret Service counter-snipers. Pictures appear to show him dead on a rooftop not far from Trump’s speech location—less than 150 yards away.

Crooks had no history of mental illness or criminal activity, according to the authorities. His father lawfully purchased the murder weapon, an AR-15-style rifle, in 2013. The FBI is questioning numerous witnesses and examining his laptop, smartphone, and weapon as part of an ongoing federal investigation into his intentions and possible assistance.

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