Northeast
Trump shooter practiced at gun range weeks before rally: 'I was sitting next to evil,' witness says
Thomas Matthew Crooks tested his shooting prowess at a western Pennsylvania gun range just weeks before last Saturday’s attempted assassination of former President Trump, according to a report.
Bill Jenkins said he practiced his firearms skills immediately next to Crooks at the Keystone Shooting Center in Cranberry on June 22 – mere weeks before the July 13 attack, The Sun reported.
“I was sitting next to evil,” Jenkins told the outlet. “I haven’t been able to sleep thinking about it.”
Jenkins, who said he has 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.
TRUMP SHOOTER’S SHOCKED TEACHER REVEALS DETAILS OF HIS COLLEGE LIFE
“It turns out the instructor and I are Trump supporters,” he 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. I noticed at the time that the kid wasn’t saying anything one way or another, but I could see him smirking.”
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 20-year-old, who had planned to pursue engineering in college, showed advanced skills on the shooting range, blowing holes in targets from significant distances, Jenkins told the newspaper.
SEN. BLACKBURN BLASTS SECRET SERVICE DIRECTOR FOR PRIORITIZING PARTY OVER ATTEMPTED-ASSASSINATION PROBE
Crooks’ shocking volley at the Trump rally grazed Trump in the ear, fatally struck rally goer Corey Comperatore, and injured two others.
Snipers cut him down soon after he launched his attack.
Jenkins, 62, an Air Force veteran, said he 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.”
HOUSE GOP LEADERS DEMAND ACCOUNTABILITY ON TRUMP ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT: ‘SO MANY QUESTIONS’
Crooks brought his own 9mm handgun to class and dressed in a T-shirt and jeans, the outlet reported.
The long-haired gunman said little but was polite throughout, Jenkins recalled.
After yet another accurate target strike, Jenkins lauded his younger counterpart.
“I congratulated him on how good he’d done, and he just laughed,” Jenkins said.
Investigators have yet to reveal a motive for the assassination attempt and are continuing to comb through Crooks’ background.
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Massachusetts
Governor issues new shelter rules to prioritize Mass. families with newborns, veterans
“I want to be clear to people, particularly outside of Massachusetts, who may have gotten word that this is a place to come, that we do not have room here in Massachusetts,” Gov. Maura Healey said.
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New Hampshire
Dramatic video shows whale capsizing boat off New Hampshire coast
Two boaters escaped with their lives while off the coast of New Hampshire after a whale breached and capsized their vessel in a dramatic spectacle that was captured on video, the U.S. Coast Guard said Tuesday.
The boaters, who were essentially catapulted into the Atlantic Ocean after the giant mammal breached and struck the back of the 23-foot vessel, were rescued by good Samaritans, the Coast Guard said in a series of posts on X.
The incident occurred near Odiorne Point State Park in Rye, New Hampshire, the guard said.
Video shows the whale breaching the water and striking the rear of the boat. At least one of the boaters is seen plunging into the water.
Colin Yager, who captured the video, told NBC News on Tuesday that after the whale breached, he and his brother picked up the boaters who were flung into the ocean.
No injuries were reported, according to the Coast Guard.
“We are grateful to the good samaritans for taking such quick action to rescue these two individuals. Bravo Zulu!” the guard said.
The Coast Guard crew from Station Portsmouth reported the whale appeared to be uninjured, the guard said. The boat was salvaged, it added.
New Jersey
Another South Jersey drowning prompts warning from officials
BRIDGETON, New Jersey (WPVI) — Officials are warning about the dangers of swimming in unguarded waters after another person drowned in South Jersey.
The most recent incident happened at Sunset Lake in Bridgeton.
Officials say a 31-year-old man went to the lake with friends Sunday evening after lifeguards had left for the day.
SEE ALSO: Man who rescued 2 children from Great Egg Harbor River in Atlantic County has died
His friends called for help around 6:45 p.m. after they could not find him.
The man’s body was located by dive teams less than two hours later.
Local authorities say this incident highlights the risk people take when they enter the water after hours.
19-year-old dead after apparent drowning in South Jersey lake
Last week, a man died after rescuing children who were swimming in a prohibited area at Weymouth Furnace Park in Hamilton Township.
Another man died Saturday while swimming at Lake Garrison in Gloucester County.
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