The confusion in Bethel Park, where the young man who tried to assassinate Donald Trump lived

In American history books, there was Lee Harvey Oswald, the prime suspect in the assassination of John Fitzgerald Kennedy. There will now probably be Thomas Matthew Crooks, who attempted to assassinate Donald Trump, killing one person and seriously injuring two others at a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday, July 13. The personality and motivations of the 20-year-old remain a mystery to FBI investigators. Franceinfo went to Bethel Park, in the suburbs of Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania)where Thomas Matthew Crooks lived.

The Crooks’ red-brick family home is located in a quiet, affluent residential neighborhood that has become the center of American and world news. Kelly lives across the street with her dog. She’s not sure how to talk about Thomas Matthew Crooks. “The little one… The shooter, often went around the neighborhoodshe says. He looked shy …“

“It’s hard to imagine that young people living in places like this would do this kind of thing. But that’s America, there are some really disturbed people in this country. And even if it’s hard to believe: here, it’s a 20-year-old who lives across the street from you.”

Kelly, neighbor of the Crooks family

to franceinfo

Our interview is interrupted by FBI agents who want to question Kelly. His former classmates explain to the investigators that this young man was harassed in high school, in particular because of the way he dressed. However, for the moment no political motivation has been identified. For example, he had not posted any message about this on social networks, as repeated by the dozens of American journalists present in front of this house to provide live coverage for their television or radio channel.

He didn’t seem to have any medical problems either. Tom, who lives a few blocks away, doubts that. “When everything is going well in your life, you don’t drive for 45 minutes with the idea of ​​going to put a bullet in someone’s head.he says. This is madness ! The level of The futility and stupidity of this kid to think that this is the right thing to do…”

“The problem is our politicians. They say horrible things about each other, accusing each other of being the reason America is going to collapse. If you’re young and naive, how do you react? But these are the people who spread the poison in the first place.”

Tom, neighbor of Thomas Matthew Crooks

franceinfo

One weapon, an automatic rifle, is at the center of the investigation. The one Thomas Matthew Crooks used was legally purchased by the shooter’s father. It is also a weapon that has been used in many mass shootings. Investigators do not know at this time whether or not the young man had permission to borrow this automatic rifle.