Thomas Matthew Crooks, the individual who attempted to assassinate former US President Donald Trump, had a history of threatening behaviour dating back to his high school days. Five years prior to the assassination attempt, Crooks had allegedly threatened to “shoot up” Bethel Park High School, causing many students to stay home out of fear. Despite the severity of the threat, school officials reportedly dismissed the incident at the time, according to a report from NYP.
According to former classmates, Crooks and his friend group had posted anonymous threats on the school’s computer system, warning students not to come to school the following day and implying that bombs had been placed in the cafeteria bathrooms.While the threats were quickly traced back to Crooks, they were not taken seriously by the school administration.
The FBI is now focusing on these glossed-over threats as part of their investigation into Crooks, particularly due to the similarities between the high school threat and the recent attack at the Trump campaign rally.
During his high school years, Crooks was reportedly subjected to relentless bullying by his peers, who described him as a loner and referred to him as “the school shooter.” He was also excluded from joining extracurricular social clubs, including the school’s rifle team. Criminologist Dr John Cencich suggests that the endless teasing and isolation may have contributed to Crooks’ decision to open fire at the Pennsylvania rally.
Cencich in conversation with WXPI pointed out that Crooks’ experiences align with the “pathway to violence” often seen in threat assessment cases. The shooter’s reported struggles with major depressive disorder, daily bullying, social isolation, and rejection from the rifle team may have had a devastating impact on him. Despite being out of high school for two years and having been admitted to universities for the fall semester, Crooks may have still harboured resentment towards his former bullies.
In the months leading up to the attack, Crooks reportedly honed his shooting skills and targeted a high-profile figure to demonstrate his abilities to his classmates. While investigators continue to search for a motive by examining Crooks’ phones and devices, they have discovered that he researched the movements of both former President Trump and President Biden prior to the shooting.
According to former classmates, Crooks and his friend group had posted anonymous threats on the school’s computer system, warning students not to come to school the following day and implying that bombs had been placed in the cafeteria bathrooms.While the threats were quickly traced back to Crooks, they were not taken seriously by the school administration.
The FBI is now focusing on these glossed-over threats as part of their investigation into Crooks, particularly due to the similarities between the high school threat and the recent attack at the Trump campaign rally.
During his high school years, Crooks was reportedly subjected to relentless bullying by his peers, who described him as a loner and referred to him as “the school shooter.” He was also excluded from joining extracurricular social clubs, including the school’s rifle team. Criminologist Dr John Cencich suggests that the endless teasing and isolation may have contributed to Crooks’ decision to open fire at the Pennsylvania rally.
Cencich in conversation with WXPI pointed out that Crooks’ experiences align with the “pathway to violence” often seen in threat assessment cases. The shooter’s reported struggles with major depressive disorder, daily bullying, social isolation, and rejection from the rifle team may have had a devastating impact on him. Despite being out of high school for two years and having been admitted to universities for the fall semester, Crooks may have still harboured resentment towards his former bullies.
In the months leading up to the attack, Crooks reportedly honed his shooting skills and targeted a high-profile figure to demonstrate his abilities to his classmates. While investigators continue to search for a motive by examining Crooks’ phones and devices, they have discovered that he researched the movements of both former President Trump and President Biden prior to the shooting.