The FBI is examining Crooks’ background and social media activities and working to access his phone. Discord, a social media platform, confirmed Crooks had an account but rarely used it and not in the last several months. There’s no evidence he promoted violence or discussed his political views on Discord.
Crooks’ political affiliations are unclear. He was registered as a Republican in Pennsylvania but also donated $15 to a progressive political action committee on January 20, 2021, the day Biden was inaugurated.
Crooks graduated from Bethel Park High School in 2022. In a video of the graduation ceremony, Crooks is seen receiving his diploma. The school district stated it will fully cooperate with investigators. Crooks was awarded for math and science in his senior year and tried out for the school’s rifle team but was turned away for poor shooting skills, according to Frederick Mach, a current team captain.
Jason Kohler, who attended the same high school, said Crooks was bullied and often sat alone at lunch. He wore hunting outfits, which led to mockery from other students. “He was bullied almost every day,” Kohler said. “He was just an outcast, and you know how kids are nowadays.”
Crooks worked as a dietary aide at a nursing home. Marcie Grimm, the administrator of Bethel Park Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation, expressed shock and sadness over his involvement, noting Crooks had a clean background check when hired.
A blockade was set up Sunday near Crooks’ house, located in an enclave of modest brick houses outside Pittsburgh. Police cars were stationed near the house, and officers were seen in the neighborhood.
Crooks used an AR-style rifle, believed to be purchased by his father. Kevin Rojek, FBI special agent in charge in Pittsburgh, said investigators do not yet know if Crooks took the gun without his father’s permission.
A video posted to social media shows Crooks wearing a gray T-shirt with a black American flag lying motionless on the roof of a manufacturing plant near the rally site. The roof was less than 150 meters from where Trump was speaking, a distance from which a decent marksman could reasonably hit a human-sized target.
Images reviewed by AP show Crooks wearing a T-shirt from Demolition Ranch, a YouTube channel featuring videos of the creator firing handguns and assault rifles. Matt Carriker, the creator of Demolition Ranch, did not respond to a message or email but posted a photo of Crooks’ body on social media with the comment “What the hell.”
