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Former classmates of Thomas Matthew Crooks are coming forward to share more information about the deceased gunman. As The Shade Room previously reported, Crooks was killed after allegedly attempting to assassinate Donald Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, July 13.
On Sunday, July 14, NBC News published an interview with Crooks’s former high school classmate, a young male later identified by CBS News as Jason Koehler. The National Desk reports that Crooks graduated from Bethel Park High School in 2022.
“He was bullied almost every day… I mean, he would sit alone at lunch. I mean, he was just an outcast, and you know how kids are nowadays — so they’re gon see someone like that, and they’re gonna target him because they think it’s funny or whatever… and it’s honestly kind of sad,” Koehler explained. “I don’t want to say this is what provoked it, but you never know.”
The classmate identified Crooks as a “loner” and explained that the 20-year-old was “quiet.” Additionally, the young man emphasized that Crooks was “bullied so much.”
“He was just made fun of for the way he dressed — his appearance,” Koehler went on to explain.
According to the outlet, the classmate explained that Crooks would wear military-style or hunting clothing to school.
Watch the classmate’s sentiments below.
According to CBS News, the outlet also spoke with a former friend of Crooks’, Jameson Myers. Myers reportedly noted that the pair were “close” in elementary school before starting high school. Additionally, the ex-classmate explained that Crooks was a “nice kid who never talked poorly of anyone.”
“I never have thought him capable of anything I’ve seen him do in the last few days,” Myers reportedly told the outlet.
Furthermore, the ex-classmate noted that Crooks had been a part of his high school’s rifle team during his freshman year.
Another former classmate of Crooks, Summer Barkley, explained that he was beloved by his teachers.
“So, you know, that was what was shocking for me — was seeing someone who had been seen as such a good person in class have this outcome, it was just a shock to me,” she told reporters.
As The Shade Room previously reported, Crooks’ identity was released to the public on Sunday, July 14. Initially, it was reported that the 20-year-old was a registered Republican via his voting records. However, he allegedly donated money to a progressive political campaign, and it was unclear whether he still aligned with the right-wing party.
According to CBS News, Crooks’ parents reside in Pittsburgh and are cooperating with the FBI and Secret Service investigators. However, no motive for Crooks’ actions has yet been determined.
The National Desk adds that Crooks had no prior criminal record and likely acted alone in the shooting. Additionally, the outlet noted that “bomb-making materials” have been found inside of the deceased gunman’s vehicle.
According to the outlet, Crooks utilized an “AR-style rifle,” which was allegedly purchased by his father. It is believed that the 20-year-old targeted Trump at his rally from a rooftop 150 meters away from the former president’s podium.
CBS News notes that two individuals remain critically injured from Saturday’s shooting. Furthermore, on Sunday, July 14, the identity of a 50-year-old father who lost his life at the rally was released, per The Shade Room.
Corey Comperatore was a firefighter who “shielded” his family from bullets at the event.
“The PA Trump Rally claimed the life of my brother, Corey Comperatore. The hatred for one man took the life of the one man we loved the most. He was a hero that shielded his daughters. His wife and girls just lived through the unthinkable and unimaginable,” Comperatore’s sister, Dawn Comperatore Schafer, reportedly wrote via Facebook, per PEOPLE.
A GoFundMe campaign has since been set up to assist Comperatore’s family. Over $900,000 has been raised thus far, exceeding a goal of $7,000.
