Bethel Park High School officials have contradicted reports that Trump shooter Thomas Matthew Crooks was bullied, threatening, and a member of the school’s rifle team.
In updated statements posted Saturday, officials said they have “no record” of Crooks ever trying out or being dismissed from the rifle team due to character or performance concerns, as previously reported.

  • njm1314@lemmy.world
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    4 months ago

    Well yeah if he was on the rifle team, I’d imagine he’d have had better aim.

    • TheMightyCanuck@sh.itjust.works
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      4 months ago

      It’s a 6" target at 147 yards with iron sights… With probably max adrenaline as well. Only missed by a couple inches

      Give the kid some credit where it’s due. It was pretty fucking close

          • njm1314@lemmy.world
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            4 months ago

            No that’s literally what I was saying. Go back and reread the comments, that’s my whole point.

        • Dashi@lemmy.world
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          4 months ago

          I mean… people say this. But a head shot with normal ammunition would be the only way to ensure a kill on a target that could potentially be wearing body armor.

          I don’t condone what he did, violence of this kind is never the answer. But speaking on the planning of a good marksman I would bet with this setup they would have gone for a head shot. A good marksman would never be in this situation though…

      • Dashi@lemmy.world
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        4 months ago

        “Crooks was well within that range when he opened fire on Trump Saturday from about 135 meters (147 yards) from where Trump was speaking”

        Still a long shot but not as bad as 400 yards. 400 yards with iron sights would be almost impossible. 147 would still be hard but not impossible with practice. Not that this dude has practice and a scope would be cheap and infinitely easier.

    • FanciestPants@lemmy.world
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      4 months ago

      Are rifle teams common in high schools? I mean I know that sport shooting is a thing, but I never heard of a high school with a rifle team. I went to high school in WA state.