Thomas Matthew Crooks’ recent attempt at taking the life of Donald Trump has shed light on his history of poor marksmanship. According to sources familiar with Crooks’ time at Bethel Park High School, he made a disastrous attempt at joining the rifle team between 2018 and 2019. Reportedly, during a practice session that served as tryouts, Crooks struggled to hit his target from 107 feet away. In fact, he missed so badly that he ended up hitting someone else’s target in a completely different lane. This incident led to Crooks being excluded from the team, as his lack of skill with a firearm was glaringly obvious.
A Total Mess with a Firearm
Sources who knew Crooks personally described him as not just a bad shot, but a “total mess” with a firearm. It was revealed that he was nearly incapable of hitting any of the 10 targets on a 10×12 paper during the tryout. Additionally, there were instances where Crooks had accidental discharges downrange or lost track of which target was his, sighting on someone else’s instead. This lack of proficiency with a firearm was a major reason why his former classmates mocked him behind his back, highlighting his ineptitude on the rifle team.
Despite his failures in high school, Crooks managed to drastically improve his aim over the years. His close attempt at hitting Donald Trump, where one of his shots grazed Trump’s ear, was a stark contrast to his previous inability to hit a target during tryouts. While his former classmates doubted his abilities, Crooks proved them wrong by coming within an inch of causing a fatal outcome.
Contrary to some reports claiming that Crooks was bullied, sources indicated that he was not a victim of outright bullying. Instead, he was described as a socially awkward individual with no display of aggression. Although his lack of skills with a firearm made him a target for mockery, Crooks did not exhibit any threatening behavior towards his peers.
The 20-year-old gunman met his demise at the hands of the Secret Service after firing several shots from an assault rifle. One of the bullets struck Trump’s ear, while another tragically ended the life of audience member Corey Comperatore. Despite frequenting a gun range in the area, Crooks managed to stay under the radar without drawing attention to himself. His final act of violence was a stark contrast to his failed attempts at the gun range years prior.
Thomas Matthew Crooks’ inability to hit the target during his time at Bethel Park High School highlighted his lack of skill with a firearm. While he was initially deemed unfit for the rifle team due to his poor marksmanship, his later actions showed a significant improvement in his aim. The tragic events surrounding his attempt on Donald Trump’s life shed light on the consequences of unchecked aggression and the importance of identifying individuals in need of help before it’s too late.
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