(News Nation) — Max Schrager, a former classmate of Thomas Matthew Crooks, the man who attempted to assassinate President Trump, says Crooks was not on the school’s rifle team and apparently “was not a safe team.”
Schrager spoke exclusively with NewsNation’s Rich McHugh about what he knows about Crooks.
“I know he tried out for the rifle team,” Schrager said, “and he didn’t make the team. From what I heard, he wasn’t a good shooter.”
While Schrager couldn’t predict what might have motivated Crooks’ actions, he did compare him to Mark David Chapman, who “shot John Lennon” in 1980.
“I don’t like the word, but he was described as a nobody. He wanted to make a name for himself. He wanted some publicity. I think that may have been the case with Crooks,” Schrager said.
Schrager also said Crooks was “not an outspoken politician on politics” but had a “conservative vibe.”
Crooks is a “typical high school” teenager: former guidance counselor
Crooks’ former guidance counselor, Jim Knapp, told NewsNation that Crooks was a “typical high school kid” who only had “a handful of friends.”
Who was Thomas Matthew Crookes?
Crooks is from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, about 60 miles from where the rally took place. Butler, Pennsylvania. NewsNation has learned that neighbors of the suspect evacuated their homes following the shooting in Bethel Park.
The gunman’s parents are cooperating with police and have told investigators that the 20-year-old gunman did not appear to have any friends or political leanings. a law enforcement official told CNN.
State records show he is registered as a Republican. The Associated Press reports that he donated $15 to a progressive PAC. The day President Joe Biden was sworn in.
Crooks was a dietitian at Bethel Park Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, the center said in a statement Sunday, The Hill reported.
The center also said staff were “shocked and saddened” to hear of his involvement.
“This morning, Bethel Park Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center became aware that Thomas Matthew Crooks, a dietitian at the center, is a suspect in the attempted assassination of former President Trump,” Marcy Grimm, the center’s administrator, said in a statement.
“Thomas Matthew Crooks performed his duties without any concerns and his background check was clean, so we are shocked and saddened to learn of his involvement,” she continued. “At this time, we are fully cooperating with law enforcement. Due to the ongoing investigation, we cannot comment further on the details. Our thoughts and prayers go out to former President Trump and the victims affected by this horrific tragedy. We condemn any acts of violence.”
According to the Secret Service, one rally attendee was killed. Two people were seriously injured.
of The deceased victim was identified Sunday. Former Butler County Fire Chief Corey Comperatore, 50, is a father. Protect your family from bullets That’s when he was shot, according to his sister, Dawn, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said at a press conference Sunday.
The department said Crooks fired shots from “an elevated location outside the rally venue.” All three victims were adult men.
News Nation Digital contributed to this report.
