Trump gunman's high school says it has "no record" of him trying out for rifle team
A former classmate told CBS News that Thomas Matthew Crooks, the man who shot former President Donald Trump, tried out for Bethel Park High School's varsity rifle team.
The high school attended by Thomas Matthew Crooks, the man who attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump at a rally on July 13, has stated that it has "no record" of him trying to join the school's rifle team. Jameson Myers, a former classmate and member of Bethel Park High School's varsity rifle team, told CBS News that Crooks had tried out for the team in his freshman year but did not make the junior varsity roster and did not return for further tryouts in subsequent years. However, the Pennsylvania school disputed this claim in a fact sheet posted online.
“It has been reported that Thomas Crooks was a member of the Bethel Park High School rifle team or tried out for it but was dismissed due to poor performance or concerns about his character,” the school stated. “Thomas Crooks was never a member of the rifle team, and we have no record of him ever trying out. The coach does not recall meeting him, although it’s possible he informally attended a practice, took a shot, and never returned. We have no record of that occurring.”
In addition, the school addressed claims that Crooks had been bullied while attending high school. Some classmates described him as an outcast, but Myers, who recounted the rifle team story, described Crooks as a "nice kid who never spoke poorly of anyone" and said he was not bullied. “According to our records, Mr. Crooks excelled academically, attended school regularly, and had no disciplinary incidents related to bullying or threats,” the school noted. “He was known as a quiet, bright young man who generally got along with teachers and classmates.”
An investigation into the assailant has revealed little regarding his political beliefs, with federal investigators informing Congress members last week. Analysis of his devices indicated that he had searched for information on both Trump and President Biden, as well as the location of Trump's rally. He also looked up information about the Democratic National Convention. On the day of the attack, he searched for images of the farm where the rally was held and for a nearby gun shop, which is cooperating with investigators, according to CBS News affiliate KDKA.
Investigators have conducted over 200 interviews, including those with family members, neighbors, and coworkers. All family members interviewed stated that the gunman never discussed politics or ideologies.
“It has been reported that Thomas Crooks was a member of the Bethel Park High School rifle team or tried out for it but was dismissed due to poor performance or concerns about his character,” the school stated. “Thomas Crooks was never a member of the rifle team, and we have no record of him ever trying out. The coach does not recall meeting him, although it’s possible he informally attended a practice, took a shot, and never returned. We have no record of that occurring.”
In addition, the school addressed claims that Crooks had been bullied while attending high school. Some classmates described him as an outcast, but Myers, who recounted the rifle team story, described Crooks as a "nice kid who never spoke poorly of anyone" and said he was not bullied. “According to our records, Mr. Crooks excelled academically, attended school regularly, and had no disciplinary incidents related to bullying or threats,” the school noted. “He was known as a quiet, bright young man who generally got along with teachers and classmates.”
An investigation into the assailant has revealed little regarding his political beliefs, with federal investigators informing Congress members last week. Analysis of his devices indicated that he had searched for information on both Trump and President Biden, as well as the location of Trump's rally. He also looked up information about the Democratic National Convention. On the day of the attack, he searched for images of the farm where the rally was held and for a nearby gun shop, which is cooperating with investigators, according to CBS News affiliate KDKA.
Investigators have conducted over 200 interviews, including those with family members, neighbors, and coworkers. All family members interviewed stated that the gunman never discussed politics or ideologies.