Exclusive: BETHEL PARK, Pennsylvania — The FBI contacted a former classmate of would-be assassin Thomas Matthew Crooks after the former classmate publicly revealed that he had confronted Crooks several years ago over his support for former President Donald Trump and expressed a “self-righteous” dislike of politicians, according to a release.
“They called me…to be honest with you, they asked my name; [them] “There’s not much else,” Vincent Taormina, 20, told Fox News Digital.
Investigators reportedly asked about the shooter’s social connections and his dislike of candidates such as Trump, Sen. Bernie Sanders and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
But he also called himself a “dead end” for the FBI and said he hasn’t spoken to the shooter in years.
Former classmate recalls how Trump shooter grilled him over support for former president: ‘I didn’t like politicians’
Thomas Matthew Crooks is the alleged gunman behind the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania on Saturday, July 13, 2024. This photo appears to have been taken on the day of the shooting. (Source: Fox News Digital)
He said he hadn’t heard much from Crooks since the school shooting threat, but he believes the threat came from the gunman’s close group of friends.
“They were definitely the type of people who would threaten to shoot up our school,” he said.
Former US political science classmate of Trump shooter describes conversation with would-be assassin Thomas Crooks
Republican presidential candidate and former president Donald Trump is surrounded by U.S. Secret Service agents during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, Saturday, July 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
However, Taormina told Fox News Digital that while rumors were circulating, there was no concrete evidence of who specifically made the threats.
But he had doubts: Crooks then disappeared from the school for several days, he said.
VIDEO: Classmate recalls Trump shooter questioning him over support for former president: ‘He called me stupid’
That was echoed by Jason Kohler, who told reporters earlier this week that Crooks had been relentlessly bullied at school.
Asked if Crooks was behind the threats, he said: “No, I’ve never heard of that.”
Another classmate, Sarah D’Angelo, told Fox News Digital she didn’t believe he was involved in the threats, which happened at the high school when they were all in middle school.
Secret Service sources say Thomas Matthew Crooks hid a rifle before Trump rally sniper attack
WATCH: Former classmate of attempted Trump assassin claims Thomas Matthew Crooks had ‘no public political views’
But the high school math genius turned murderer on Saturday, July 13, when gunmen climbed a building during a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, and opened fire with semi-automatic rifles, authorities said.
He murdered a 50-year-old father of two. Corey ComperatoreAuthorities said the man seriously injured David Duch, 57, and James Copenhaver, 74. Copenhaver struck the former president in the right ear.
Authorities said a Secret Service counter-sniper “neutralized” Crooks at the scene, and images showed him dead on a rooftop less than 150 yards from where Trump was speaking.
A blurry cellphone video shows, from a rally-goer’s perspective, Thomas Matthew Crooks crawling across a rooftop moments before attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump. (DJ Lafley)
Former Secret Service officer warns agency is “stretched thin” with new responsibilities and staffing shortages
Taormina said he believes someone in Crooks’ group of friends must have known something about what prompted him to launch the violent attack.
“Anyone who knew him should have noticed something,” he said. “They should have realized something was going on. I know it’s easy to hide, but people will clean up their act before doing something bold and drastic. Did nobody notice it? Why?”
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Federal investigation The FBI is continuing its investigation into the suspect’s motive and possible cooperation, and is analyzing the suspect’s laptop, cell phone and rifle, as well as interviewing dozens of witnesses.
If you have any information about this incident, http://tips.fbi.gov or call 1-800-CALL-FBI.
