According to reports, suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks was testing out his marksmanship at a shooting range in western Pennsylvania just weeks before the attempted assassination of former President Trump last Saturday.
Bill Jenkins said he trained next to Crooks at the Keystone Shooting Center in Cranberry on June 22, just weeks before the July 13 attack. The Sun reported.
“I was sitting next to evil,” Jenkins told the outlet. “I couldn’t sleep thinking about it.”
Mr Jenkins, who was interviewed by the FBI, recalled his teacher praising Mr Trump during class – praise that may have helped Mr Crooks decide to go ahead with his plan.
Teacher shocked by Trump shooter reveals details of college life
According to reports, suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, had been practicing at the shooting range before opening fire at a rally in Pennsylvania, wounding Donald Trump and killing a bystander. (Courtesy of AFP | Google Maps)
“As it turned out, the instructor and I were Trump supporters,” he said. “We talked about how our country was better under Trump — our borders were secure, our economy was doing well, we were energy self-sufficient, he got things done. And the kid was kind of neutral, but then I saw him grin.”
In retrospect, Jenkins believes Crooks was harboring animosity toward Trump and that the conversation may have motivated Crooks to assault him.
“I thought maybe that conversation had pushed him over the edge,” he said. “Someone had died, and it scared him a little bit.”
Jenkins, 20, who planned to study engineering at university, told the paper that he had demonstrated advanced skills at the shooting range, including drilling holes in targets from considerable distances.
Senator Blackburn slams Secret Service director for prioritizing party over assassination attempt investigation
Donald Trump arrived at Trump Tower on May 30, 2024, after being convicted of 34 counts of first-degree falsifying business records. (Felipe Ramares for Fox News Digital)
Crooks’ shocking volley of shots at the Trump rally grazed Trump’s ear, fatally wounded rally-goer Corey Comperatore and injured two others.
A sniper took him down just as he began his attack.
Jenkins, 62, an Air Force veteran, said he was surprised to learn that his training buddy had nearly taken down the former president.
“This man killed a man with a wife and children and came close to plunging the country into chaos by assassinating Donald Trump,” he said.
TThe two students spent several hours together, with Crooks clearly showing his affection for her. Firearms Facility Jenkins noted throughout.
“We went to the range and he started shooting right away,” he said. “He seemed experienced with weapons.”
House Republican leaders demand accountability for Trump assassination attempt: ‘Too many questions’
Suspect Thomas Matthews Crooks opened fire on former President Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania on July 13, 2024. (Google Maps | Handouts | Wire)
According to the media, Crooks brought a 9mm handgun to class and was wearing a T-shirt and jeans.
Jenkins recalled that the long-haired gunman said little but was polite throughout.
Click here to get the FOX News app
After another precise target shot, Jenkins praised his younger opponent.
“I complimented him on his great performance and he just laughed,” Jenkins said.
Investigators have yet to determine a motive for the assassination attempt and are continuing to thoroughly investigate Crooks’ background.
