A BlackRock ad, a “bad shot” and loaded for bear were just some of the details that emerged about the former president’s “loner” would-be assassin who’d once been rejected from his school’s rifle club.
Along with answers and accountability for the abject failure that resulted in the murder of rally-goer Corey Comperatore and a brush with death for former President Donald Trump, the public has clamored since Saturday for a better understanding of who the suspect was.
While it wasn’t long before the identity of 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks was made known, a broader picture of who the Bethel Park High School graduate was, including an unexpected connection to a global investment management firm, took more time to coalesce.
In a commercial from BlackRock titled “‘AP and Honors Economics,” the suspect was spotted multiple times as a teacher’s retirement plan was featured.
A statement from the firm expressed, “The assassination attempt on former President Trump is abhorrent. We’re thankful former President Trump wasn’t seriously injured, and thinking about all the innocent bystanders and victims of this awful act, especially the person who was killed.”
They also informed Bloomberg that the ad would be removed from circulation.
Between Sunday night and Monday morning, reports from fellow classmates revealed that the deceased suspect, described as a “loner,” had attempted to earn a spot on his school’s rifle team, but was “such a comically bad shot” he couldn’t cut it.
Frederick Mach, the current captain, told the Daily Mail as much while Jameson Murphy informed the New York Post, “He tried out…and was such a comically bad shot he was unable to make the team and left after the first day.”
Similarly, Jonathan Myers, a member at the time Crooks applied like Murphy, told ABC News, “He didn’t just not make the team, he was asked not to come back because how bad of a shot he was, it was considered like, dangerous.”
In speaking with the Post, Murphy recalled one instance where his classmate had been in the far right lane when he missed his target by around 20 feet and instead hit the left wall.
Another classmate told the Post, “We noticed a few things Thomas said and how he interacted with other people…He said some things that were kind of concerning.”
“He made some crass jokes that weren’t appropriate when there are firearms in the school setting,” the individual added.
His inability to make the cut didn’t stop him from joining an area club though and attorney Robert S. Bootay III, who represents the Clairton Sportsmen’s Club, told ABC News, “I can confirm that Mr. Crooks was a member of Clairton Sportsmen’s Club. Beyond that, the Club is unable to make any additional commentary in relation to this matter in light of pending law enforcement investigations.”
“Obviously, the Club fully admonishes the senseless act of violence that occurred yesterday. The Club also offers its sincerest condolences to the Comperatore family and extends prayers to all of those injured including the former President,” he added.
Meanwhile, the suspect, who rally-goers contended they had tried to warn security about, was said to have procured 50 rounds of ammunition hours before the tragedy, according to a report from CNN via a law enforcement source. It was further revealed that explosive material was found in his home and his car.
Footage shows Trump shooter opening fire, getting killed by sniper team https://t.co/DyNjzzvzH1 via @BIZPACReview
— BPR based (@DumpstrFireNews) July 14, 2024
Further, as questions about his online activity were raised, the gaming chat app Discord confirmed that Crooks had an account, but informed Fox News Digital that it was inactive and hadn’t been used to share any political opinions.
“It was rarely utilized, has not been used in months, and we have found no evidence that it was used to plan this incident, promote violence, or discuss his political views,” a spokesperson said. “Discord strongly condemns violence of any kind, including political violence, and we will continue to coordinate closely with law enforcement.”
Native of Brooklyn, NY, Kevin Haggerty is a graduate of Hunter College where he studied Cultural Anthropology and Geography. An avid reader and truth seeker, he currently resides in Texas with his wife and their dog and, when he isn't researching current events and their impacts, you'll find him spending time with friends and family or working on his next novel.
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