Thomas Matthew Crooks, the man who plotted to assassinate former President Donald Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on Saturday, had only graduated from a local community college two months earlier.
“We can confirm that Thomas Matthew Crooks graduated from Allegheny County Community College (CCAC) in May 2024 with an Associate’s Degree in Engineering Science,” the college told Fox News.
“Like all Americans, we are shocked and saddened by the horrific events that occurred in Butler, Pennsylvania on Saturday,” CCAC said in a statement. “We are grateful that former President Trump is safe and recovering, and our thoughts and prayers go out to all those affected by this tragedy.”
Classmates of Trump shooter Thomas Crooks say he was a quiet student as investigators search for motive
Undated photograph of Thomas Matthew Crookes. (Courtesy of AFP)
“As the investigation into this weekend’s incident continues, CCAC will cooperate fully with law enforcement,” the statement continued. “The university will provide information in accordance with university policy and law enforcement regulations and practices.”
Signage for the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) Allegheny Campus can be seen outside a building on the Allegheny Campus. (Photo by Paul Weaver/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
After graduation, Crooks applied to the University of Pittsburgh and was accepted as a transfer student this fall, university spokesman Jared Stonesifer said. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
He was planning to attend Robert Morris University instead, school spokesman Brian Edwards confirmed to the outlet.
FBI accesses Thomas Matthew Crooks’ phone in Trump assassination attempt
An undated file photo of Thomas Matthew Crooks. Crooks is the alleged gunman behind the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump on Saturday, July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pennsylvania. (Fox News Digital Law Enforcement Source)
Crooks is a 2022 graduate of Bethel Park High School.
Corey Comperatore, 50, died Saturday night while trying to shield his wife and family from gunfire after Crooks crawled onto a roof and opened fire on Trump as he was speaking at a rally.
FBI investigating assassination attempt on former President Trump
Former Buffalo Township Fire Chief Corey Comperatore is pictured with his daughters in an undated family photo after Thomas Matthew Crooks, a suspected assassin of former President Donald Trump, shot and killed Comperatore during a gunfight at a rally in Butler County, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, authorities said. Secret Service agents returned fire, killing Crooks. (Helen Comperatore/Facebook)
Trump was wounded in the shooting, along with two other rally attendees, David Duch, 57, and James Copenhaver, 74.
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Fox News’ Chris Pandolfo contributed to this report.
