Trump assassination attempt brings flurry of attention, activity to Bethel Park
BETHEL PARK – At about 12:30 a.m. Sunday, Keith and Joann Holzer noticed flashing police sirens and law enforcement on the street in their Bethel Park neighborhood.
They went to bed without giving it too much thought, unaware that the man who attempted to assassinate former President Donald J. Trump had just been identified as a neighbor who lived down the street.
Federal investigators descended upon the Milford Drive home of Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, that night after he used an AR-style rifle to injure the former president, kill one person and critically injure two others Saturday evening while Trump was speaking at a rally in Butler.
The Holzers live nearby on Highland Road, which intersects with Milford. When they woke up, they realized the seriousness of the situation.
“I just never, in a million years, thought it was connected to the rally shooting,” Keith said.
Law enforcement had created a wide perimeter around the area and streets were closed off to traffic. While eyeballs from around the world were focused on their corner of Bethel Park, the Holzers described the police blockade as creating an eerie silence in the normally bustling neighborhood.
“It was an awfully quiet day. There were no cars speeding down the road,” Joann said.
Keith added that the airspace was shut down as well, meaning they did not hear the usual sounds of airplanes flying overhead.
On Monday, police had the road blocked at the intersection of Milford and Highland. A white tent could be seen down the road near Crooks’ home, where investigators continued to work to determine a motive for the rally shooting.
The Holzers did not know the family, other than to see Crooks’ father, Matthew, outside mowing the lawn from time to time.
“For the most part, everybody keeps to themselves,” Keith said.
A spokesperson for Allegheny Arms and Gun Works on Library Road in Bethel Park confirmed Monday that they were cooperating with law enforcement as investigators learned that Crooks purchased ammunition from the business the day of the rally.
“As a responsible member of our community it is our prerogative to cooperate with law enforcement in every way. We are thankful that President Trump was not assassinated and our hearts and prayers go out to all victims of this horrible incident. Out of respect for the ongoing investigation and that of those affected we will not make any further statements,” reads a statement from Allegheny Arms and Gun Works.
After Crooks made his way onto a rooftop near the Butler Farm Show grounds with a rifle, a local law enforcement officer climbed to the roof. Crooks pointed the rifle at the officer, Butler County Sheriff Michael Slupe told the Associated Press, and the officer climbed back down.
Using a rifle that investigators learned belonged to his father, Crooks quickly opened fire. Secret Service agents shot and killed him seconds later.
Corey Comperatore, 50, was killed in the shooting. Comperatore was a former fire chief of the Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Company in Butler County. Gov. Josh Shapiro said he “died a hero” as he dove on his family to shield them from bullets.
Bethel Park School District issued a statement confirming that Crooks graduated from Bethel Park High School in 2022.
“The school district wishes to express its sincere wishes for a speedy and complete recovery for Mr. Trump and those in attendance at the Saturday event who may have been physically harmed or emotionally impacted by these tragic events. We offer special condolences to the family of Mr. Corey Comperatore, who was killed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time,” reads the statement.
The school district provided Crooks’ sophomore yearbook photo. A review of high school yearbooks available at Bethel Park Public Library failed to yield much more information about the shooter. He was listed among the “camera shy” students during his senior year.
Crooks tried out for the school’s rifle team but was turned away because he was a bad shooter, Frederick Mach told the Associated Press. Mach is a current captain of the team who was a few years behind Crooks at the school.
Jason Kohler, who said he attended the same high school but did not have any classes with Crooks, told the AP that Crooks was bullied and sat alone at lunchtime. Other students mocked him for the clothes he wore, which included hunting outfits, Kohler said.
“He was bullied almost every day,” Kohler told reporters. “He was just an outcast, and you know how kids are nowadays.”
According to the AP, Crooks worked at Bethel Park Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation as a dietary aide, a job that generally involves food preparation. Marcie Grimm, the administrator of the nursing home, said in a statement she was “shocked and saddened to learn of his involvement.” Grimm added that Crooks had a clean background check when he was hired.
Crooks was also a member of the Clairton Sports Club on Coal Valley Road. Pittsburgh attorney Robert Bootay confirmed his membership and provided a statement on behalf of the club.
“Obviously, the club fully admonishes the senseless act of violence that occurred on Saturday. The club also offers its sincerest condolences to the Comperatore family and extends prayers to all of those injured, including the former President,” Bootay said.
Investigators found “rudimentary” bomb making materials in Crooks’ vehicle and at his home. Officials have not determined a possible motive in the assassination attempt.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.