Thomas Crooks, who had once been described as "smug and arrogant" when it came to political discussions, attempted to assassinate former president Donald Trump during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
The New York Post reported that Vincent Taormina, Crooks's former classmate, recalled his disdain for politicians, including those in the 2016 presidential race: Trump, Clinton, and Sanders.
Taormina recounted how Crooks would mock him and imply he was "stupid" for supporting Trump. During an English class discussion, Crooks questioned why Taormina, being Hispanic, would support Trump. Crooks often displayed a condescending attitude, especially when discussing politics and math.
Taormina shared, "He just did not like politicians, especially with the choices that we had.” Crooks' reclusive nature and smug demeanor were well known among his classmates. Despite his withdrawn personality, Crooks had a friend group suspected of threatening a school shooting.
Crooks was absent from school for several days after one such threat, which people suspected he was behind. Upon returning to school, Crooks displayed a less confrontational attitude regarding politics.
Taormina mentioned that it should have been noticeable that Crooks was planning something drastic. "Everybody, anybody who knew him, should have seen something," Taormina remarked.
The investigation into why Crooks attempted to assassinate Trump and the motives behind striking him at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, yielded no results. The rally was a highly publicized event, and the attack shocked many attendees.
Crooks' disdain for politicians was a constant topic of his conversations. "He would just talk, talk and act like he knew everything, especially politics-related, and he would say it in a tone that was like, ‘I’m better than you,’ in a type of way," Taormina recalled.
The incident not only resulted in injuries to Trump but also tragically claimed the life of a bystander and injured two others. The community was left reeling from the unexpected violence.
Taormina reflected on the warning signs that were missed by those around Crooks. "They should have known something was up, and I know it’s kind of easy to hide, but people are going to get their affairs in order before they do something that’s bold and this drastic, and nobody saw it?"
The lack of prior intervention and the failure to notice Crooks' planning have raised concerns about the awareness and response to potential threats within communities.
Crooks' arrogance and condescending behavior had created an atmosphere of tension and unease among his classmates. This behavior and his reclusive nature painted a picture of someone deeply dissatisfied with the political landscape.
Thomas Crooks, known for his disdain for politicians and condescending attitude, attempted to assassinate former president Donald Trump at a rally, resulting in a fatal incident that shocked the community. His past behavior and missed warning signs highlight the importance of awareness and intervention in preventing such drastic actions.
