Tragic Shooting at Trump Rally in Butler, Pennsylvania
Thomas Crooks met a tragic end when he was shot to death by a Secret Service sniper after firing eight shots at former President Donald Trump during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on July 13, 2024.
Investigations by the New York Times revealed that Crooks was once a star student in high school, achieving an impressive SAT score of 1530 out of 1600.
After graduating from Allegheny County Community College with multiple semesters on the dean’s list, he had plans to transfer to Robert Morris University near Pittsburgh to pursue a career in aerospace or robotics.
However, a tragic turn of events occurred when Crooks’ father noticed a decline in his son’s mental health in the year leading up to the shooting. He reported witnessing Thomas engaging in erratic behavior, such as talking to himself and dancing in his room late at night.
The New York Times highlighted that Crooks’ behavior was consistent with a family history of mental health and substance abuse issues, as outlined in a Pennsylvania State Police report.
