• Gunman fired at Trump rally
• Rejected from high school rifle team
• Described as a poor shot
• Trump praises Secret Service
In a shocking incident on Saturday, a 20-year-old man fired at former President Donald Trump during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
The shooting resulted in the tragic death of one rallygoer and injuries to two others. The gunman, identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, was killed at the scene by Secret Service agents.
As details about Crooks emerge, an intriguing aspect of his past has come to light: he was rejected from his high school rifle team for being a poor shot.
Jameson Myers, a former classmate of Crooks, revealed to ABC News that Crooks had attempted to join their high school’s rifle team but was turned away due to his lack of shooting skills.
Myers, who attended both elementary and high school with Crooks, described him as “a very nice, even sweet guy” who never exhibited any signs of being a “political revolutionary.”
“He didn’t just not make the team, he was asked not to come back because of how bad of a shot he was,” Myers said. “It was considered like, dangerous.”
According to Myers, Crooks’ poor shooting skills were a significant factor in his rejection from the team.
Another anonymous member of the rifle team corroborated Myers’ account, stating that Crooks “wasn’t really fit” to join and “also shot terrible.”
Despite these comments, Myers noted that he and Crooks were close during elementary school but drifted apart in high school. Myers himself graduated in 2022 and was a member of the Bethel Park High School varsity rifle team.
The school’s rifle team coach declined to respond to inquiries from ABC News, and the school district confirmed that Crooks had “never appeared on a roster” and there was “no record” of him trying out for the team.
This detail adds a perplexing dimension to the profile of Crooks, who was otherwise described as unassuming and non-political.
Outside of school, Crooks was a member of the Clairton Sportsmen’s Club, which has multiple pistol and rifle ranges in Clairton, Pennsylvania.
His membership in the club suggests that despite his rejection from the high school team, he continued to pursue shooting as a hobby.
On the day of the attack, Crooks used a legally purchased AR-style 5.56 rifle to shoot at Trump and the crowd, according to Kevin Rojek, Director of the FBI’s Pittsburgh Office.
The incident unfolded dramatically, with Trump seen ducking for cover as gunshots rang out.
Despite the chaos, Trump stood defiantly, pumping his fist at the crowd with streaks of blood on his face.
He later revealed in a Truth Social post that the top of his ear had been pierced by a bullet.
In an interview with the New York Post, Trump expressed gratitude for surviving the attack, stating, “I’m not supposed to be here, I’m supposed to be dead.
By luck or by God, many people are saying it’s by God I’m still here.”
Trump also praised the Secret Service agents for their swift response, saying they did a “fantastic job” in neutralizing the shooter.
The motives behind Crooks’ actions remain unclear at this time, and the investigation is ongoing.
This tragic event has cast a spotlight on the potential for violence at political rallies and the importance of vigilance and security.
As the investigation continues, the community is left grappling with the shock of a young man turning to violence in such a public and devastating manner.
let’s enjoy few years on earth with peace and happiness….✍🏼🙏