(NewsNation) — Max Shrager, a former classmate of would-be Trump assassin Thomas Matthew Crooks, says Crooks didn’t make their school’s rifle team and was apparently “not a safe fit.”
Shrager spoke exclusively with NewsNation’s Rich McHugh regarding what he knows about Crooks.
“I do know he tried out for the rifle team,” Shrager said. “He didn’t make it onto the team. From what I’ve heard, he was not a good shot.”
Shrager couldn’t predict a motive behind Crooks’ actions but compared him to the man who “shot John Lennon,” Mark David Chapman, in 1980.
“I don’t like this word, but he was described as a nobody. Wanted to make a name for himself. Wanted some kind of publicity. I feel like Crooks, that might (also) have been the case,” Shrager said.
Shrager also said Crooks was “not an outspoken person when it came to politics,” but he did have a “conservative air.”
Crooks ‘typical high school’ teenager: Former guidance counselor
Jim Knapp, former guidance counselor to Crooks, told NewsNation he was a “typical high school” teenager who had a “handful of friends.”
Who is Thomas Matthew Crooks?
Crooks is from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, about 60 miles from where the rally was held in Butler, Pennsylvania. NewsNation has learned neighbors of the suspected shooter were evacuated from their homes after the shooting in Bethel Park.
The shooter’s parents have been cooperating with law enforcement. They told investigators the 20-year-old gunman didn’t appear to have friends or political leanings, a law enforcement official told CNN.
Per state records, he’s a registered Republican, but the Associated Press reports he donated $15 to a progressive PAC the day President Joe Biden was sworn in.
Crooks was a dietary aide at the Bethel Park Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, the organization said in a statement Sunday, The Hill reported.
The center also said workers were “shocked and saddened” to hear he was involved.
“This morning, Bethel Park Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center became aware that Thomas Matthew Crooks, a dietary aide at the Center, was the alleged shooter in the assassination attempt on Former President Trump,” Marcie Grimm, the administrator for the center, said in a statement.
“We are shocked and saddened to learn of his involvement as Thomas Matthew Crooks performed his job without concern and his background check was clean,” she continued. “We are fully cooperating with law enforcement officials at this time. Due to the ongoing investigation, we cannot comment further on any specifics. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Former President Trump and the victims impacted by this terrible tragedy. We condemn all acts of violence.”
The Secret Service said one rally attendee was killed and two were critically injured.
The deceased victim was identified Sunday as former Butler County Fire Chief Corey Comperatore. The 50-year-old father was protecting his family from the bullets when he was struck, according to his sister, Dawn, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said at a news conference Sunday.
The agency said Crooks fired from “an elevated position outside the rally venue.” All three victims were adult males.
NewsNation Digital contributed to this report.
