The bodycam footage of the attempted assassination of former President Trump in Pennsylvania reveals the shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, walking on a roof just minutes before opening fire at the rally on July 13. The footage shows Crooks emerging on top of the American Glass Research building, moving to the southernmost structure of the complex. A police officer walking on the ground is seen in the opposite direction, unaware of Crooks’ presence on the roof.
The footage indicates that Crooks took about two and a half minutes to set himself up and shoot at Trump and attendees. The FBI confirmed that Crooks accessed the roof by climbing HVAC equipment and traversing multiple rooftops to find his shooting position. Investigators discovered that Crooks purchased a ladder prior to the incident but did not use it at the rally site. The video also corroborates Crooks’ timeline provided by one of the victims, James Copenhaver.
During the shooting, Crooks fired eight shots, grazing Trump’s right ear and fatally striking firefighter Corey Comperatore. Two rally-goers were also injured in the attack. A Butler SWAT operator fired a shot that hit Crooks’ rifle stock, causing injuries to his face and shoulder. Another shot was fired by the Secret Service counter-sniper team, entering Crooks’ mouth area and exiting through his ear.
Newly released video shows Crooks walking through a crowd in Butler, Pennsylvania, two hours before the shooting. He was dressed in shorts and a “Demolitia” T-shirt, walking past vendors selling Trump merchandise. Text messages obtained by Senator Chuck Grassley flagged Crooks as suspicious to local law enforcement monitoring Trump’s Pennsylvania event, after he was seen using a range finder. However, officers did not approach him before the shooting occurred.
The footage provides a detailed insight into the moments leading up to the attempted assassination, shedding light on Crooks’ movements and preparation before opening fire at the rally. The swift response of law enforcement and security teams during the incident is highlighted by the shots fired to neutralize the threat. The video footage and additional information obtained from different sources help piece together the sequence of events on the day of the assassination attempt.
Overall, the investigation into the attempted assassination of former President Trump in Pennsylvania continues to uncover new details and evidence that paint a clearer picture of the events leading up to the shooting. The bodycam footage, along with witness accounts and forensic analysis, provide crucial information for understanding the motives and actions of the shooter, as well as the response of law enforcement and security teams during the incident. As the investigation progresses, further insights into the planning and execution of the attack may emerge, helping to prevent similar incidents in the future.
