DOUGLASVILLE, Ga. — After a shooter fired several shots at former President Donald Trump's rally, a counter-sniper in Douglas County is giving his perspective.
The gunman, now identified as 20-year-old Thomas Crooks, killed one spectator, seriously hurt two others and the former president's ear. Crooks was killed on the roof of a nearby building by a Secret Service Counter Sniper.
"You can adjust your scope to see your target better, but it's hard and complicated," Jesse Hambrick, who has nearly 31 years of experience in law enforcement, retired Master Sgt. with the Douglas County Sheriff's Office and is a certified counter sniper, said.
Hambrick then held up his gun to demonstrate.
"That's why they say aim small, miss small," Hambrick said. The further you get out, the more you would have to adjust your scope."
He says that the shot the Secret Service counter-sniper took is more complicated and valuable to make in a situation like that. It's not just the gun that plays a role, but the person holding it.
"The marksman himself, really plays an important role. Do you have that composure? Do you have that physical ability," Hambrick said.
The shooter attempting to assassinate the former President missed his intended target.
"He missed his intended goal of assassination of the President," Hambrick said. "So yeah, he missed."
Hambrick said the stress of the moment is one of many factors.
"In this case, people are yelling. I mean, he knows he's been seen. He knows he's rushing this shot, and he just started squeezing off rounds. I'm not shocked at all that he missed," Hambrick said.
The shooter used an AR rifle, and the building he was on was about 100 to 200 feet away from the rally stage. The Secret Service Counter Sniper was positioned 100 to 200 feet away from the shooter.
"Perfect case scenario for the counter sniper to be able to do what he did, you know, bravo. Worst case scenario for the individual to rush and jump up there on a hot roof and try to rush off a few rounds, and sadly enough hurt other people," Hambrick said.
Hambrick said he's seen many people asking why did it seem like the sniper waited to fire. He added it just depends on how quickly he was notified and noticed the shooter was a threat. He doesn't question the Secret Service Counter Sniper's actions, though, and said they acted as quickly and precisely as they could.