The graphic bodycam footage released by Republican Senator Chuck Grassley shows local law enforcement and a Secret Service agent standing over the body of the gunman in the aftermath of the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The footage was captured by a Beaver County Emergency Services Unit officer’s body camera and shows officers on the roof where the shots were fired from more than 400 feet away. The body of the gunman, Thomas Matthew Crooks, can be seen lying on the roof with a trail of blood.
A local law enforcement officer, with direct knowledge of the events, had previously mentioned to CBS News that a sniper from a local tactical team saw the gunman through a rangefinder before the assassination attempt. The bodycam video appears to confirm this, with the Secret Service agent stating that the deceased gunman matched the description of a suspicious person in photos disseminated prior to the shooting. The video also shows officers discussing the sniper’s observations and whether an abandoned bike found in the area belonged to the shooter.
Authorities found an AR-style rifle, remote transmitter, cellphone, explosive devices, drone, tactical vest, and ammunition in the shooter’s possession. The video reveals that people suspected of filming the gunman with their phones had been detained for questioning. Attendees attempted to alert officers about the shooter two minutes before he opened fire on Trump. The gunman acted alone, and investigations have determined that there were three victims in the crowd, including a retired firefighter who was killed, and two others critically wounded.
During testimony before the House Oversight Committee, Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle alleged that law enforcement teams were sent to identify and interview Crooks before the shooting. However, she did not provide details about the timing of the contact with the gunman. Sources familiar with a law enforcement briefing said that the Secret Service was notified of a suspicious person with a rangefinder on the ground 20 minutes before the shooting. The gunman was able to fire eight rounds in under six seconds before being fatally shot by a Secret Service sniper.
The footage and testimonies reveal the events leading up to and following the attempted assassination of Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania. The involvement of local law enforcement, the Secret Service, and the actions of the gunman are detailed through the bodycam footage and investigations. Questions remain about the response to suspicions regarding the shooter before the incident and the swift actions taken by authorities to prevent further casualties. The release of the footage sheds light on the decision-making processes and challenges faced by law enforcement during high-profile events such as political rallies.
