Three days after attempted assassination, Trump shooter remains an elusive enigma

By MICHAEL BIESECKER, MARTHA BELLISLE, JIM MUSTIAN and PETER SMITH, MICHAEL BIESECKER, MARTHA BELLISLE, JIM MUSTIAN and PETER SMITH, Associated Press

Published: July 17, 2024, 9:21am

2 Photos

This June 3, 2022 still image taken from video provided by the Bethel Park School District shows student Thomas Matthew Crooks in the 2022 Bethel Park High School Commencement in Bethel Park, Pa. (The Bethel Park School District via AP) Photo Gallery

BETHEL PARK, Pa. (AP) — After three days, an enigmatic portrait emerged of the 20-year-old man who came close to killing former President Donald Trump with a high-velocity bullet: He was an intelligent loner with few friends, an apparently thin social media footprint and no hints of strong political beliefs that would suggest a motive for an attempted assassination.

Thank you for reading The Columbian.

Subscribe for only $99/year to get unlimited access.

Subscribe Now

Already a subscriber?

Support local journalism

Your tax-deductible donation to The Columbian’s Community Funded Journalism program will contribute to better local reporting on key issues, including homelessness, housing, transportation and the environment. Reporters will focus on narrative, investigative and data-driven storytelling.

Local journalism needs your help. It’s an essential part of a healthy community and a healthy democracy.

Featured Realtor

Columbian Homes featured real estate agent

View Listings

Support local journalism

Related Stories