United States: After three days of investigation, authorities are still baffled by the 20-year-old man who nearly killed former President Donald Trump at a rally on Saturday.
Thomas Matthew Crooks, a quiet and intelligent individual with few friends and no strong political beliefs, has left investigators with no clear motive for his attack.
Investigation Yields No Clear Motive
Despite the FBI’s extensive efforts—including examining Crooks’ cell phone, computer, home, and car, as well as interviewing more than 100 people—the reason for his violent act remains unknown.
As reported by AP news, “He sat by himself, didn’t talk to anyone, didn’t even try to make conversation,” said 17-year-old Liam Campbell, echoing the comments of classmates who remembered the shooter in this quiet community outside of Pittsburgh.
“He was an odd kid,” but nothing about him seemed dangerous, he added. “Just a normal person who seemed like he didn’t like talking to people.”
The description of Mathew doesn’t show any clues about him being a shooter. Also, the information about him collected by the neighbours and his friends in the school is not enough to make any valid evidence.
Political Leanings and Past Activities
Crooks’ political leanings were also hazy. Crooks was registered as a Republican in Pennsylvania, but federal campaign finance reports also show he gave $15 to a progressive political action committee on Jan. 20, 2021, the day Democratic President Joe Biden was sworn into office.
No Clear Answers, Comparing Past Investigations
In the absence of a satisfactory explanation that has led to the homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to recount the lengthy federal investigation into the 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas and the deadliest such attack in the nation’s history.
As a freshman, Crooks had tried out for his high school rifle team but was rejected for poor marksmanship, the AP previously reported. Through his family, he was a member of the Clairton Sportsmen’s Club, a shooting range about 11 miles (17 kilometres) east of Bethel Park.
“We know very little about him,” club president Bill Sellitto told the AP. “That was a terrible thing that happened Saturday — that’s not what we’re about by any means.”
The club has an outdoor range for high-powered rifles with targets set at distances of up to 170 meters (187 yards).
Some of the Republicans have pointed out at the Democrats for labelling Trump a threat to democracy Democrats in turn, pointed to Crooks GOP registration and to the Trump’s ow long history provocative rhetoric including his continued praise of the Jan. 6 rioters.
