Thomas Crooks, a 20-year-old engineering sciences graduate, worked at a suburban Pittsburgh nursing home for $16 an hour. A former co-worker described him as polite but distant, eating lunch alone and rarely engaging with others. However, in the lead-up to a rally for former President Donald J. Trump, Mr. Crooks asked for a day off, citing something important to attend.
A week later, Mr. Crooks opened fire at the rally and was killed by the Secret Service. His motives and ideology remain unclear to investigators and those who knew him.
Despite being described as an awkward, intelligent teenager who enjoyed computers and video games, Mr. Crooks shocked many by his violent actions at the rally, injuring Mr. Trump and others.
Investigators have found clues that suggest Mr. Crooks may have been planning the attack, such as reading news stories about previous school shootings, receiving hazardous material packages, and searching political figures online.
While some believe his actions were politically motivated, others think he was focused on perpetrating mass violence and happened to choose a political rally as his target.
Born and raised in Bethel Park, Mr. Crooks was a registered Republican but had donated to progressive causes. His family had a mix of political affiliations, reflecting the town’s divided political landscape.
Neighbors described the Crooks family as private and rarely interacting with others. Mr. Crooks’s parents worked from home as licensed professional counselors.
While Mr. Crooks was initially friendly as a child, he became more reserved in his teenage years, with few friends and minimal social interaction.
His interest in guns is unclear, but his father owned multiple firearms, including the one used in the attack. Despite some struggles in high school, he excelled academically and was well-regarded by teachers.
After graduation, Mr. Crooks planned to attend Robert Morris University but ultimately changed his plans. In the days leading up to the rally, he exhibited suspicious behavior, casing the event site and spending time at a gun range.
On the day of the rally, he left behind explosive devices and ammunition in his car before carrying out the attack. His actions shocked his workplace, where he had informed them of his return the next day.
The complex and conflicting nature of Mr. Crooks’s background and actions has left many puzzled as to his motivations and intentions. The aftermath of the rally shooting has raised questions about his mental state, influences, and the factors that led to such a tragic outcome.
