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Published 13:28 IST, July 15th 2024

'A Comically Bad Shot': Trump Shooter Was Rejected From School's Rifle Shooting Team

Thomas Matthew Crooks, who made an assassination bid at Trump and was later shot dead, was rejected by his school's rifle shooting team for being a 'bad shot'.

Reported by: Digital Desk
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Thomas Crooks Rejected From School's Rifle Team
Thomas Crooks Rejected From School's Rifle Team | Image: AP

Pennsylvania: The 20-year-old shooter who made an assassination bid on former US President Donald Trump, was rejected by his school's rifle team for being a ‘comically bad shot’. 

The shooter, identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks had fired multiple shots aimed at Trump during his rally in Pennsylvania; a bullet grazed Trump's ear, leaving him bloodied.

Trump Shooter Was Rejected From School's Rifle Shooting Team

In an interview with a leading daily, the shooter's classmate Jameson Murphy had revealed that Thomas Matthew Crooks had made an attempt to enter his high school's rifle team but could not because of his poor shot.

‘He Was A Comically Bad Shot’

Recalling an instance, his classmate said that his shot was so bad that he once missed his target by almost 20 feet. Crooks' classmate called him a ‘comically bad shot’. 

Another classmate was quoted as saying, “Crooks couldn't shoot at all. He was a terrible shot.”

Who Was Thomas Matthew Crooks?

The 20-year-old was a resident of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania which was about 40 miles south of the Butler rally; he was also a member of the local shooting club, Clairton Sportsmen's Club.

Crooks has used an AR-Style rifle which was recovered by the law enforcement officials from the site of shooting. 

According to reports, Thomas Matthew Crooks had positioned himself almost 130 yards away from the stage where Trump was standing for the rally; he had fired gunshots from the roof. 

Crooks was apparently shot in the head after he tried killing the former US president; the Security Service killed the shooter at the spot.

Updated 19:21 IST, July 15th 2024