Thomas Matthew Crooks was largely unknown at the Gun Club, but visited his father

Thomas Matthew Crooks was a member of a local shooting club in Pennsylvania – and even spent a day there before he was sent to Donald Trump – but it hasn’t made a lasting impression on many people who go there regularly … TMZ has learned.

We called around and contacted a handful of current members of the Clairton Sportsmen’s Club – not far from Crooks’ home – and the response we got from almost all of them was the same…no one had ever heard of this guy before. Shooting on Saturday.

Bob Wolanin – a long-time member of Clairton – tells us that he didn’t recognize the name and face at all…and the same goes for another member and even a current employee of the club – who did not want their names known – who expressed a similar sentiment…namely, that Thomas was a ghost to them.

Another former Clairton member told TMZ that some who come to Clairton often — and actually remember seeing Thomas there — say he’s been seen stopping by with his father … but it’s unclear how often they were there or if Thomas ever came alone.

According to reports, Thomas actually arrived in Clairton on Friday – almost 24 hours before he tried to shoot a bullet through Trump’s head – and practiced shooting with his father’s AR-15.

Even though Thomas often went to the shooting range, his presence was not noticeable. Not only did the regular members hardly remember him, the club management also said they did not know him as an outstanding visitor to the shooting range.

Clairton’s President Bill Sellitt says TMZ: “We didn’t know him” – and his wife Debbiewho also works for Clairton, confirms this… and tells us that of the many members she has spoken to since then, she has not met anyone who knew or had any dealings with TMC.

Debbie says her club has over 2,000 members – and so far no one has come forward to say there were any warning signs. She says he was probably a loner in her facility… just as she says he was in his normal life.

Apparently Crooks was on a mission to kill that day – in addition to his rifle … he reportedly brought explosives and other equipment to carry out his task, although he told his employer he would I’ll be back on Sundayafter he asked for Saturday off.