On Saturday, July 13, Thomas Matthew Crooks opened fire with a semiautomatic rifle during a Trump campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, wounding the former president and two others and leaving a spectator dead.

The FBI is now investigating the motives and potential connections of Crooks, speaking to some of his former classmates to secure their recollections of his demeanor and patterns, as Fox News reports.

Vincent Taormina, a former classmate of Crooks, says he has been contacted by the FBI in light of the event. Taormina revealed that Crooks confronted him years ago regarding his support for Donald Trump.

During this confrontation, Crooks expressed a clear disdain for politicians, including Trump, Sen. Bernie Sanders, and Hillary Clinton.

Former Classmate Provides Insights

Taormina described Crooks' attitude towards politicians as "smug." He shared that Crooks had a general dislike for many figures in the political sphere. The FBI's focus on Taormina included inquiries about Crooks' social circle and his aversion to various political candidates.

Despite this interaction, Taormina believed himself to be a dead end for the FBI’s investigation, stating that he had not maintained contact with Crooks for several years. He remarked, “They called me… honestly just asked me for names and if I could give [them] much else.”

Past Threats Surface During Investigation

The investigation also brought up past threats linked to Crooks' group of friends involving school shootings. Taormina noted that Crooks and his associates were the type to make such threats, although no concrete evidence pinpointed specific individuals involved. After a specific threat, Crooks disappeared from school for several days.

Another classmate, Jason Kohler, recalled that Crooks was bullied in school but disputed Crooks' involvement in any school shooting threats.

Kohler was clear in his response when questioned about Crooks' association with the threats. On the other hand, Sarah D'Angelo, another classmate, mentioned that such threats occurred when they were in middle school.

Unfolding of the July 13 Attack

On the day of the attack, Crooks targeted a Trump rally, resulting in the death of 50-year-old Corey Comperatore. The incident left David Dutch and James Copenhaver critically wounded. Crooks’ attack also managed to injure Trump, hitting him in the right ear.

Secret Service counter-snipers responded promptly, neutralizing Crooks less than 150 yards away from Trump. The swift action of the Secret Service prevented further casualties and concluded the immediate threat.

FBI's Ongoing Investigation Efforts

The FBI continues its investigation, examining Crooks' laptop, cellphone, and rifle. They are also interviewing dozens of witnesses to piece together Crooks' motivations and any potential connections he might have had. Taormina expressed frustration that no one had noticed any warning signs before the attack.

In Taormina’s words: "Everybody, anybody who knew him-knew him, should have seen something. They should have known something was up, and I know it's kind of easy to hide, but people are going to get their affairs in order before they do something that's bold and this drastic, and nobody saw it? And why?"

Reflection on the Wider Impact

This incident has raised concerns about the warning signs and the community’s ability to detect and prevent such violent acts in the future. The discussion around Crooks' behavior and the missed opportunities to intervene highlights the complexity of preempting such tragedies.

The community of Butler, Pennsylvania, is grappling not only with the immediate aftermath of the event but also with the questions of how such an incident could have been prevented. The FBI's extensive investigation efforts aim to uncover more details that can shed light on Crooks' motives and any overlooked indicators.

Conclusion

In summary, Thomas Matthew Crooks carried out a fatal attack during a Trump rally, causing one death and wounding several individuals, including former President Trump.

The FBI is investigating his motives, involving past acquaintances like Vincent Taormina, to understand Crooks' disdain for politicians and his background. Despite some classmates recalling threats from Crooks’ group in the past, concrete evidence is still being sought.

The investigation remains active as authorities analyze electronic devices and interview witnesses to piece together the full narrative.