"He graduated from the Community College of Allegheny County in May with an associate in science degree in engineering science, a spokesperson for the college confirmed to CBS News. He was expected to enroll in Robert Morris University in the fall, a spokesperson for the private university in the Pittsburgh area confirmed Monday to CBS News, and had not yet attended classes there."
"Former classmate Jameson Myers, a member of the school's varsity rifle team, told CBS News that Crooks had tried out for the team freshman year but did not make the junior varsity roster and did not return to try out for the team in subsequent years."
He called Crooks a "nice kid who never talked poorly of anyone," and he said, "I never have thought him capable of anything I've seen him do in the last few days."
Fellow classmate Summer Barkley told CBS Pittsburgh reporter Megan Schiller that although Crooks wasn't popular, he still had a group of friends and was a good student beloved by teachers. She said she didn't see any red flags that would lead her to believe he would do something like this.
Mark Sigafoos, who graduated with Crooks and sat near him in class, told CBS News that while it was possible Crooks was bullied in school, he never personally saw it happen. Sigafoos described him as smart, friendly and frequently engaged during class, "definitely nerdy for sure," but said he "never gave off that he was creepy or like a school shooter."
"He seemed like he wouldn't hurt a fly," he said.
Another classmate, Jason Koehler, had a somewhat different view, telling Schiller that Crooks was a loner who was bullied relentlessly for his appearance and wore camo/hunting outfits in class. He said Crooks would often sit in the cafeteria alone before class. He also said Crooks was very COVID-conscious and wore a surgical mask long after they were required."
Crooks also worked at Bethel Park Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center as a dietary aide, according to the facility's administrator. The University of Pittsburgh confirmed Monday that Crooks had been admitted for the fall semester to study mechanical engineering, but according to a statement from the school, he informed the university in March he had decided not to attend.
Crooks also had a membership at a nearby gun club for at least a year. Bill Sellitto, the president of the Clairton Sportsmen's Club in Clairton, Pennsylvania, told CBS News that Crooks was a member.
"We can confirm that Mr. Crooks was a member of the 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," Sellitto said in a statement. "Obviously, the Club fully admonishes the senseless act of violence that occurred yesterday."
A law enforcement source noted that at the time of the shooting, the gunman was wearing a shirt that apparently read "DemolitionRanch," a popular gun-related YouTube channel with over 11 million subscribers."
www.cbsnews.com
So he was not exactly the disenfranchised poor achiever type some think he was. He had a future...if he wanted...and had a place secured in the University of Pittsburgh to study mechanical engineering...so why did he change his mind in March and decide not to go? That's probably something that needs looking into...
"Former classmate Jameson Myers, a member of the school's varsity rifle team, told CBS News that Crooks had tried out for the team freshman year but did not make the junior varsity roster and did not return to try out for the team in subsequent years."
He called Crooks a "nice kid who never talked poorly of anyone," and he said, "I never have thought him capable of anything I've seen him do in the last few days."
Fellow classmate Summer Barkley told CBS Pittsburgh reporter Megan Schiller that although Crooks wasn't popular, he still had a group of friends and was a good student beloved by teachers. She said she didn't see any red flags that would lead her to believe he would do something like this.
Mark Sigafoos, who graduated with Crooks and sat near him in class, told CBS News that while it was possible Crooks was bullied in school, he never personally saw it happen. Sigafoos described him as smart, friendly and frequently engaged during class, "definitely nerdy for sure," but said he "never gave off that he was creepy or like a school shooter."
"He seemed like he wouldn't hurt a fly," he said.
Another classmate, Jason Koehler, had a somewhat different view, telling Schiller that Crooks was a loner who was bullied relentlessly for his appearance and wore camo/hunting outfits in class. He said Crooks would often sit in the cafeteria alone before class. He also said Crooks was very COVID-conscious and wore a surgical mask long after they were required."
Crooks also worked at Bethel Park Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center as a dietary aide, according to the facility's administrator. The University of Pittsburgh confirmed Monday that Crooks had been admitted for the fall semester to study mechanical engineering, but according to a statement from the school, he informed the university in March he had decided not to attend.
Crooks also had a membership at a nearby gun club for at least a year. Bill Sellitto, the president of the Clairton Sportsmen's Club in Clairton, Pennsylvania, told CBS News that Crooks was a member.
"We can confirm that Mr. Crooks was a member of the 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," Sellitto said in a statement. "Obviously, the Club fully admonishes the senseless act of violence that occurred yesterday."
A law enforcement source noted that at the time of the shooting, the gunman was wearing a shirt that apparently read "DemolitionRanch," a popular gun-related YouTube channel with over 11 million subscribers."
Trump rally shooter identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20-year-old Pennsylvania man. Here's what we know so far.
Former President Trump was injured in a shooting at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The FBI has identified the gunman as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks.
www.cbsnews.com
So he was not exactly the disenfranchised poor achiever type some think he was. He had a future...if he wanted...and had a place secured in the University of Pittsburgh to study mechanical engineering...so why did he change his mind in March and decide not to go? That's probably something that needs looking into...
