20-year-old Thomas Crooks attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump with an AR-style rifle, causing a bullet to graze Trump’s ear and prompting his appearance at the Republican National Convention with a bandaged ear.
Crooks, described as reclusive during his high school days by former classmates and guidance counselor Jim Knapp, displayed a quiet demeanor and faced bullying for his appearance and reserved nature.
“He just wanted to stay by himself,” former guidance counselor Jim Knapp said.
“He didn’t want attention, good or negative,” 19-year-old Julianna Grooms said.
“Those other kids would always say, ‘Hey, look at the school shooter over there!’ They would tease him about his poor hygiene, his body odor. He was an easy target,” she said.
Video footage from his school days captured instances of harassment towards Crooks, who graduated in 2022, with classmates bothering him in class.
Despite being perceived as intelligent and private about his political views, Crooks’ actions have left his former community shocked and introspective about the impacts of isolation and bullying in schools.
“I would’ve never known who he was voting for,” 20-year-old Anna Dusch said. “He seemed to be really intelligent. If there was a fact to be said, he knew it.”
“He was a little bit odd, but I never would’ve suspected this,” Dusch added. “I don’t think any of us knew who he was.”
“Their class was so traumatized from it. All of these kids were really isolated,” mother Jill Bortz said. “Those are the prime years. That’s not going to work for every kid, you know?”
