Former Classmate of Trump Assassination Suspect: He Was a 'Loner' Who Was Bullied

A former classmate of Thomas Matthew Crooks, the suspect in the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, described him as a "loner" who was "bullied" in high school. Jason Kohler, 21, said Crooks was a "weird kid" who was often picked on by other students. Kohler said he was not surprised when he heard about the shooting, saying that Crooks had always been "a loner" who "never really fit in."

Former President Donald Trump narrowly escaped an assassination attempt at a campaign rally on Saturday, and a former classmate of the suspect has described him as a "loner" who was often bullied.

Jason Kohler, 21, told reporters he went to high school with Thomas Matthew Crooks, the 20-year-old suspect in the shooting. Kohler said Crooks was a "weird kid" who was often picked on by other students.

Former Classmate of Trump Assassination Suspect: He Was a 'Loner' Who Was Bullied

"He was a loner," Kohler said. "He never really fit in. He was always by himself, and he didn't have any friends."

Kohler said he was not surprised when he heard about the shooting, saying that Crooks had always been "a loner" who "never really fit in."

Former Classmate of Trump Assassination Suspect: He Was a 'Loner' Who Was Bullied

"I knew he was capable of something like this," Kohler said. "He was always talking about violence, and he always had a lot of anger inside of him."

Kohler said he hopes Crooks gets the help he needs.

Former Classmate of Trump Assassination Suspect: He Was a 'Loner' Who Was Bullied

"He's a troubled kid," Kohler said. "He needs help, and I hope he gets it."

Crooks is currently in custody and has been charged with attempted assassination of a former president. He is scheduled to appear in court on Monday.

Former Classmate of Trump Assassination Suspect: He Was a 'Loner' Who Was Bullied

The shooting has sent shockwaves through the country, and President Biden has called it "an assassination attempt contrary to everything we stand for as a nation."

Biden said he spoke with Trump after the attempt on his life and that Trump is "doing well and recovering."

Former Classmate of Trump Assassination Suspect: He Was a 'Loner' Who Was Bullied

"We had a short but good conversation," Biden said. "Jill and I are keeping him and his family in our prayers."

Biden also extended his condolences to the family of the victim who was killed in the shooting.

Former Classmate of Trump Assassination Suspect: He Was a 'Loner' Who Was Bullied

"He was a father," Biden said. "He was protecting his family from the bullets being fired. He lost his life. God love him."

Biden said the FBI is investigating the shooting as an assassination attempt and that the investigation is "still in its early stages."

Former Classmate of Trump Assassination Suspect: He Was a 'Loner' Who Was Bullied

"We don't yet have any information about the motive of the shooter," Biden said. "We know who he is."

Biden urged everyone to "please don't make assumptions about his motives or affiliations."

"Let the FBI do their job and their partner agencies do their job," Biden said. "I'm instructed that this investigation be thorough and swift, and the investigators will have every resource they need to get this done."

Biden said that Trump, a former president and nominee of the Republican Party, "already received the heightened level of security."

"And I've been consistent in, in my direction of the Secret Service to provide him with every resource, capability and protective measure necessary to ensure his continued safety," Biden said.

Biden also said he has "directed the head of the Secret Service to review all security measures for all security measures for the Republican National Convention, which is scheduled to start tomorrow."

Biden said he is "directing an independent review of the security at yesterday's rally to assess exactly what happened, and we'll share the results of that independent review with the American people as well."

The president said he will speak further Sunday night.

"We must unite as one nation," Biden said. "We must unite as one nation to demonstrate who we are."