Newly uncovered footage reveals a chilling look at Thomas Matthew Crooks, the would-be assassin who attempted to kill former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024. The video, which surfaced on social media earlier this week, shows Crooks casually walking through the rally grounds just hours before he opened fire on the crowd and Trump himself.
The footage, recorded by a vendor selling patriotic merchandise, captures Crooks at 4:26 p.m., nearly two hours before the deadly attack. Dressed in shorts and a "Demolitia" T-shirt, Crooks appeared to be blending in with the crowd, giving no outward sign of the horrific violence he was about to unleash. This newly released clip is now the clearest visual evidence of Crooks' presence at the rally prior to the shooting.
TRUMP SHOOTER UPDATE: Representative Mike Waltz has revealed that Thomas Matthew Crooks, the individual who attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump, had multiple encrypted accounts overseas, specifically mentioning Germany among other locations like Belgium and New… pic.twitter.com/hJNmysauJp
— Liquid News Feed (@liquidnewsfeed) August 22, 2024
Around 6:11 p.m., Crooks, who had been perched on the roof of a nearby building, fired eight shots, one of which grazed Trump's right ear. The attack also tragically claimed the life of a retired fire chief and seriously injured two other rally-goers. The swift response of the Secret Service neutralized Crooks, but not before the damage was done.
In addition to the vendor's footage, another video has emerged showing Crooks jumping across rooftops just minutes before he took his position to carry out the assassination attempt.
Trumps shooter before the shooting pic.twitter.com/klLslNtpVF
— EpicTips (@Epic809) August 20, 2024
The video, shared by conservative media personality Jack Posobiec, has intensified scrutiny on the security lapses that allowed Crooks to get so close to the former president.
The Secret Service, facing heavy criticism for the apparent security breakdown, has acknowledged the need for a comprehensive review of the events leading up to the attack. The agency's director, Kimberly Cheatle, has since resigned in the wake of the assassination attempt, further highlighting the gravity of the situation. The review will examine all footage, including that captured by the vendor, to understand how Crooks was able to maneuver so freely around the rally without raising suspicion.
The revelations from these videos have sparked widespread concern about the efficacy of the Secret Service's protective measures, particularly in open-air settings like campaign rallies. Trump's near-miss has prompted a reassessment of security protocols for high-profile political events, with experts calling for enhanced surveillance and more rigorous pre-event sweeps.
As the investigation continues, these disturbing visuals of Crooks strolling through the crowd and jumping from rooftop to rooftop are serving as stark reminders of the vulnerabilities in security that nearly led to a national tragedy. The incident has reignited debates over the challenges of protecting political figures in an increasingly polarized and volatile political climate .
