Federal investigators trying to learn more about Trump rally shooter - CBS News Pittsburgh

[Rhiannon12866]

The gunman behind an assassination attempt against Donald Trump remains a puzzle to his former classmates and federal law enforcement. KDKA-TV's Andy Sheehan shares the latest. - Aired on 07/14/2024.

[Cattledog]

1. Both parents "Behavioral Health Counselors"???

Didn't notice anything odd about their son?

[Rhiannon12866]

2. That certainly struck me, too! Yikes!

And what was his father doing with an automatic weapon??

[John1956PA]

3. The father and son shared usage of it.

CNN reports that the son was a member of a shooting range in Clairton, PA, which is eleven miles from Bethel Park where the shooter lived with his parents. The club has a 200-yard shooting range.

As an aside, I read a comment on some site that the AR-15-style semi-automatic rifle which the shooter used did not have a scope. I will try to verify this detail, not that it is important.

[Rhiannon12866]

4. And it also said here that the shooter wasn't a good enough shot to be on the rifle team

Though he did come awfully close given the distance, especially if he was without a scope.

[John1956PA]

5. The shooter steadily positioned the first shot.

That first shot hit Trump's ear.

Interestingly, a reporter had a phone interview with Trump yesterday. I think that what she has to say about the interview is going to be talked about today. I will mention only one part of what she said. She said that Trump had never before gone off teleprompter, used a chart, or turned to the side while giving a speech. His doing so on Saturday at the time of the shooting may have saved his life.

[Rhiannon12866]

6. I have actually wondered that too, that his turning his head at just the right time caused the bullet to miss

And only graze his ear. We've seen the footage enough that it does appear that way. Thanks!

[John1956PA]

7. I was watching the rally on the YouTube live stream.

I had a surprised feeling when he said that he was going to go off teleprompter and comment on the chart. A journalist who interviewed him over the phone yesterday says that he has never before used a chart at a rally.

Watching the events play out in real time was a stunning experience for me. I choose not to dwell on my memories of those minutes.

[wnylib]

10. Also, a witness who was next to the man who died said

that the deceased man was in the line of fire between the shooter and Trump. Looks like the deceased man might have taken a bullet intended for Trump.

So Trump was not heroic, just lucky. Claiming to be a hero for surviving while someone else died is the height of calloused egotism.

[Irish_Dem]

8. I think the scope issue is an important detail.

Someone else here suggested it meant he was not a serious shooter, and didn't plan things very well.
The scope would have allowed him a better shot.

[John1956PA]

9. Since it was his father's gun, he did not have. . .

. . full control over adding a scope accessory. Even if a scope is added, it has to be sighted in by repeated target firing and adjusting. Bumping the scope in an action such as climbing to a rooftop could knock a scope out of adjustment.

A well-sighted-in scope would produce accuracy with a well-postured first shot. Subsequent shots are subject to recoil from the previous shots. Aiming with a scope on subsequent shots takes too much time in an action situation. Open sights are often used in those cases. It has been theorized that Oswald's third shot which struck JFK's head was aimed via open sight rather than the scope which was attached to Oswald's rifle.

[Irish_Dem]

11. I see. Thank you for the information.

So a scope is not something you can just snap on and off as needed?

So he would have had to practice with the scope, adjusting it as he practiced.

But military snipers don't use open sight do they?
I always thought they only used scopes?

[StarryNite]

12. I wonder if he was on any meds for depression, etc.