'Smug and arrogant' Thomas Matthew Crooks ridiculed classmate for backing Donald Trump in 2016

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BUTLER, PENNSYLVANIA: Thomas Crooks, the young man who attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump, was described as “smug and arrogant” by his former classmates, especially when discussions turned to politics.

The latest account of Crooks' behavior comes from Vincent Taormina, who went to high school with him during the 2016 presidential race.

Former classmate recalls Thomas Crooks' arrogance and association with troubling peers

In high school, Thomas Matthew Crooks was known for his disdain for politicians. Vincent Taormina recalls how Crooks would mock and insult Trump supporters.

"He just did not like politicians, especially with the choices that we had," Taormina said, referring to the 2016 presidential candidates, including Trump, Hillary Clinton, and Bernie Sanders.

Taormina recounted a specific incident in an English class where Crooks ridiculed him for supporting Trump.

“I brought up the fact that I’m Hispanic and, you know, I’m for Trump. And he said, ‘Well, you’re Hispanic, so shouldn’t you hate Trump?’” Taormina remembered.

"No. He’s great. He was a great president. He called me stupid – or insinuated that I was stupid,” Taormina added.

Crooks’ arrogance extended beyond political discussions. Taormina noted that Crooks exhibited the same attitude whenever topics he considered himself knowledgeable about, such as math, were discussed.

“He would just talk, talk and act like he knew everything, especially politics related, and he would say it in a tone that was like, ‘I’m better than you,’” said Taormina.

Despite his arrogance, Crooks often kept to himself. However, he did associate with a group of friends who were suspected of making threats about a school shooting.

“They were definitely the type — and they did — make threats to shoot up our school,” Taormina noted, adding that Crooks was absent for several days following a particular threat that many suspected he was involved in.

Upon his return, Crooks was noticeably quieter about politics and dialed back his arrogant attitude.

Reflecting on Crooks’ behavior, Taormina expressed disbelief that no one saw any warning signs.

“Everybody, anybody who knew him, should have seen something,” Taormina told Fox News. “They should have known something was up, and I know it’s kind of easy to hide, but people are going to get their affairs in order before they do something that’s bold and this drastic, and nobody saw it?”

Thomas Crooks' college success and quiet demeanor leave the community shocked

On the other hand, at the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC), where Crooks earned an associate’s degree in engineering, he appeared to have a bright future.

A college instructor, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed bewilderment upon learning about Crooks' actions.

Speaking to Reuters, she described him as a conscientious student who excelled in his assignments, often going “above and beyond.”

One notable project involved redesigning a toy for people with disabilities. “He did a chess set for the blind. He 3D-printed it. He put the Braille on it. He talked to experts in the field,” she recalled. “He really took a lot of care.”

Despite his impressive academic performance, Crooks did not make a significant impression on his college classmates. Samuel Strotman, a fellow engineering student, mentioned that Crooks never spoke during lectures and always kept his camera off during online classes.

A college employee described Crooks as quiet but pleasant. “It’s just very, very, very unexpected,” the employee said, noting that Crooks had expressed interest in pursuing a career in mechanical engineering.

Crooks had planned to continue his engineering education at Robert Morris University after CCAC’s engineering program closed on June 30.

Recently, Crooks worked as a dietary aide at a nursing home, where he was described as performing his job without any concerns.

The nursing home was situated near his residence in Bethel Park, a middle-class suburb of Pittsburgh. He lived in a modest brick house with his parents and older sister.

Motives behind Thomas Crooks' attack on Trump rally remain unclear

The investigation into Thomas Crooks’ motives for targeting Donald Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, remains inconclusive.

During the attack, Crooks struck Trump in the ear, killed one bystander, and wounded two others. He had no prior criminal record or documented mental illness. The AR-style rifle used in the attack belonged to his father, and the ammunition was purchased legally on the same day.

Crooks' family has remained silent, except to state that they are cooperating with investigators. The family, which includes his father, a registered Libertarian, and his mother, a former Democrat, had purportedly displayed MAGA signage in their yard at some point.

Crooks was killed by Secret Service snipers immediately after he opened fire at the rally, the New York Post reported.