Staff Reports
In a shocking revelation, it has come to light that Thomas Crooks, the disturbed individual who attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump, was previously linked to a school shooting plot. A former classmate, Vincent Taormina, revealed that Crooks’ name had circulated among school officials in connection to a supposed plan to commit a mass shooting during their freshman year at Bethel Park High School.
According to Taormina, everyone in the school was talking about it. Rumors were swirling, and the name “Thomas” kept popping up in discussions. It seems that Crooks was part of a friend group that was being blamed for the alleged threat. While details are scarce, Taormina mentioned that Crooks was absent from school for a few days following the incident, although it wasn’t a formal suspension.
Shooter’s Classmate Claims Crooks Was ‘Linked’ To ‘School Shooting Plot’ Years Ago https://t.co/PtdOeiVsnO #politics #news
— King Robbo (@realkingrobbo) July 19, 2024
While Taormina’s account has not been corroborated by other former classmates or school officials, it does provide another piece of the puzzle as to why Crooks went unnoticed by authorities before his disturbing attack on the former president. It is worth noting that Crooks was critical of both Republicans and Democrats, as evidenced by the discovery of photos of both Trump and President Joe Biden on his phone. It appears that Crooks held a disdain for politicians across the board, including figures like Hillary Clinton and Senator Bernie Sanders.
Additionally, Taormina shared an encounter where Crooks expressed his disgust towards him for being a Hispanic Trump supporter. When Taormina defended his support for the former president, Crooks responded disrespectfully, insinuating that Taormina was ignorant. It is clear that Crooks had a confrontational attitude and a know-it-all demeanor.
In a bizarre turn of events, Crooks’ parents had reported him missing and informed local police that he may have taken his father’s AR-15 rifle, who is registered as a libertarian. Just hours before the rally where the assassination attempt occurred, Crooks was spotted near the venue, crawling on the ground with a rangefinder commonly used by hunters and shooters. His intention was clear.
The consequences of Crooks’ actions were devastating. While he only managed to nick the ear of President Trump, innocent lives were lost and others were seriously injured. This incident raises important questions about our society’s ability to identify and address the warning signs of individuals who pose a threat to public safety.
It is crucial that we remain vigilant and proactive in identifying potential dangers within our communities. We must ensure that our law enforcement agencies have the necessary tools and resources to address these threats effectively. Only through such measures can we hope to prevent future acts of violence and protect the public from individuals like Thomas Crooks.
