On July 14, 2024, a haunting video surfaced showing Donald Trump’s would-be assassin, Thomas Crooks, moving around the rally grounds about an hour before the shooting unfolded.
This footage, initially reported by WTAE in Pittsburgh, captures the 20-year-old Crooks wandering alone, far from the bustling crowd that had gathered under the sweltering sun to hear the former president speak in Butler.
In the video, Crooks is first seen walking away from the crowd, passing a warehouse, and then pausing near a building just outside the secure area around 5:03 p.m.
The dramatic turn of events began when Crooks, who was later identified as the shooter, opened fire at 6:11 p.m., injuring Trump in the ear and tragically killing retired fire chief Corey Comperatore.
The man who recorded the video had initially intended to capture the size of the crowd, not realizing he was documenting the future shooter. “I was just trying to get a sense of the crowd because it was enormous,” he shared.
“I had no idea what would happen that day.” When reviewing the footage later, he was alarmed to see Crooks and described feeling deeply unsettled. “When I saw the video last night, I couldn’t sleep. It was chilling.”
At the time the video was taken, Crooks had already been flagged as suspicious by law enforcement.
However, by the time police officers were alerted and approached him, he had already climbed onto the roof of a nearby building, prepared for the attack. A bystander had even warned, “He’s got a gun,” but the situation quickly escalated.
The Fatal Attack
As Crooks took his position on the roof, a standoff ensued.
One officer attempted to confront him but was forced to retreat when Crooks, armed with an AR-15-style rifle, aimed at him.
Crooks then fired several shots at Trump, wounding him and killing an audience member while injuring two others before being neutralized by Secret Service snipers.
The Investigation
In the aftermath, a clearer picture of the events leading up to the shooting began to emerge.
The FBI’s review of Crooks’ phone revealed searches for images of both Trump and President Joe Biden, as well as information on major events and mental health conditions.
Crooks had also bought ammunition and constructed homemade bombs, suggesting he had meticulously planned the attack.
Security Lapses and Controversies
Despite Crooks’ suspicious behavior being reported, the security perimeter failed to detect his presence on the roof.
While Secret Service officials maintain that they secured the designated event area, critics argue that buildings within direct firing range should have been monitored more closely.
Local officials have contested any claims of their responsibility in securing the area, further complicating the narrative.
This account, pieced together from interviews, public records, and news reports, sheds light on the first assassination attempt to injure a U.S. president since 1981.
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