Thomas Matthew Crooks, the 20-year-old man who attempted to assassinate former President Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania, died from a gunshot wound to the head, according to the Butler County Coroner's Office. His death was ruled a homicide.
Thomas Matthew Crooks, the 20-year-old man who attempted to assassinate former President Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania, died from a gunshot wound to the head, according to the Butler County Coroner's Office. His death was ruled a homicide.
Thomas Crooks, Would-Be Trump Assassin, Dies from Gunshot Wound to the Head
Crooks fired five rounds at Trump on July 13, and nicked the former president in the ear before he was "neutralized" 26 seconds later. He was pronounced dead in Butler County, where the rally was held.
A post-mortem examination was completed in neighboring Allegheny County, where Crooks lived in Bethel Park, the Butler County Coroner's Office said. It is unclear what happened to Crooks' body after the examination. Fox News Digital has been unable to reach his family for comment.
Thomas Crooks, Would-Be Trump Assassin, Dies from Gunshot Wound to the Head
Although investigators have not yet determined his motive, a picture of Crooks is becoming more clear as his former classmates come forward with their impressions.
Julianna Grooms, who graduated from Bethel Park High School one year after Crooks, told The Wall Street Journal, "People would say he was the student who would shoot up the school," that he was bullied, and that he was an "easy target."
Thomas Crooks, Would-Be Trump Assassin, Dies from Gunshot Wound to the Head
However, a classmate who rode the school bus with Crooks and whose sister was close with him told Fox News Digital that he had been mischaracterized by classmates who are "making up" the "most random information."
"He didn’t talk a lot, but when he was talked to, he would make good conversation," the former Bethel Park High School student, who graduated a year behind Crooks, said Friday night. "He was easy to talk to. He would make good conversation. He was very chill, very humble.
Thomas Crooks, Would-Be Trump Assassin, Dies from Gunshot Wound to the Head
"He had friends. He had friends on the bus, in class," the classmate said. "Not a lot of people knew him, but the ones that did never had a negative experience with him.
"You definitely have to be crazy to do what he did, but I was so surprised when I found out it was him."
Thomas Crooks, Would-Be Trump Assassin, Dies from Gunshot Wound to the Head
Crooks' death has raised questions about the security at the Trump rally. Some have argued that the Secret Service could have done more to prevent the attack. Others have defended the Secret Service, saying that it is impossible to prevent every potential attack.
The investigation into Crooks' death is ongoing.
