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By Flynn Nicholls
US News Reporter
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The man suspected of attempting to assassinate Donald Trump, killing a man and wounding two others, was rejected by his high school's rifle team and "shot terrible," according to his classmates.
The suspected gunman, now identified by the FBI as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, was shot and killed by the Secret Service after opening fire at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday. Trump's ear was grazed and a rally attendee, 50-year-old former firefighter Corey Comperatore, was killed. Those injured, now identified as 57-year-old David Dutch of New Kensington and 74-year-old James Copenhaver of Moon Township, are currently in stable condition.
Speaking to ABC News, Crooks' elementary and high school classmate Jameson Myers said Crooks tried to join the rifle team at Bethel Park High School in his junior year but was rejected during a "preseason" session and asked not to return.
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"He didn't just not make the team," Myers said. "He was asked not to come back because how bad of a shot he was, it was considered like, dangerous." He said Crooks never returned to try-outs for the remainder of high school.
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A member of the rifle team, who asked not to be named, told ABC News that he "wasn't really fit for the rifle team," adding that "he also shot terrible."
In a statement, the Bethel Park School District said Crooks "never appeared on a [rifle club] roster" and that there is "no record" of him having attempted to join the team.
He did, however, belong to a shooting club. Clairton Sportsmen's Club confirmed in a statement that Crooks was a member of the club and offered its "sincerest condolences" to the victims of the shooting "including the former president."
"Beyond that, the Club is unable to make any additional commentary in relation to this matter in light of pending law enforcement investigations," said Robert S. Bootay III, club attorney.
Crooks lived in Bethel Park, a borough in the Pittsburgh metro area, and graduated from Bethel Park High School in 2022. He is a registered Republican voter, although he donated $15 to the Progressive Turnout Project in early 2021, according to Federal Election Commission (FEC) records.
On Sunday, it was revealed the AR-style rifle recovered at the scene of the shooting was legally purchased by Crooks' father after an urgent trace was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), ABC News reported citing multiple law enforcement sources.
However, according to the Associated Press, law enforcement officials said federal agents are still working to understand when and how Crooks, who has no military affiliation, obtained the gun.
Trump, meanwhile, has confirmed that he will attend the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, despite the assassination attempt, where he is expected to announce his running mate.
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