The Close Encounter: Gun Range Witness Gives Shocking Account of Trump Shooter's Preparation

A chilling revelation emerges as a gun range witness describes how former President Trump's would-be assassin tested his shooting skills mere weeks before the attack, sparking concerns about the motivations and warning signs that may have been missed.

In the wake of the shocking assassination attempt against former President Trump, a new report sheds light on the disturbing details surrounding the shooter's preparation, raising questions about potential warning signs and missed opportunities to prevent the tragedy.

Thomas Matthew Crooks, the 20-year-old suspect, reportedly tested his shooting prowess at a western Pennsylvania gun range just weeks before the July 13 attack. According to Bill Jenkins, a fellow shooting range attendee, Crooks practiced his firearms skills mere feet away from him at the Keystone Shooting Center in Cranberry on June 22.

The Close Encounter: Gun Range Witness Gives Shocking Account of Trump Shooter's Preparation

Jenkins, who has since been interviewed by the FBI, recalled the class instructor extolling Trump during the session – a glorification that may have contributed to Crooks' determination to carry out the plot. "It turns out the instructor and I are Trump supporters," Jenkins said. "We talked about how our country was good under Trump. Our borders were secure, the economy was strong, we were energy independent, and he got things done."

In hindsight, Jenkins believes Crooks was muting his animus toward Trump – and that the conversation may well have helped to motivate his assault. "It's crossed my mind – did that conversation help push him over the edge?" he said. "It freaks me out a little because a person has died."

The Close Encounter: Gun Range Witness Gives Shocking Account of Trump Shooter's Preparation

Jenkins, an Air Force veteran, was stunned to learn that his training partner had nearly felled a former president. "This guy killed a man with a wife and kids and almost plunged the country into chaos by killing Donald Trump," he said.

The pair's class lasted for several hours, with Crooks showing a clear familiarity and facility for firearms throughout, Jenkins noted. "When we went to the range, he started shooting straight away," he said. "It seemed like he had experience with weapons."

The Close Encounter: Gun Range Witness Gives Shocking Account of Trump Shooter's Preparation

Investigators have yet to reveal a motive for the assassination attempt and are continuing to comb through Crooks' background. However, Jenkins' chilling account offers a glimpse into the potential warning signs that may have been overlooked or dismissed, raising concerns about the adequacy of security measures and the need for a thorough investigation to ensure that such attempts are prevented in the future.