Donald Trump barely avoided being assassinated several weeks ago. And more information is still bursting at the seams about the attempt on the president’s life.
As new details about the Trump shooting expose shocking failures by law enforcement.
Thomas Matthew Crooks, who attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump at a Pennsylvania campaign rally, was on the radar of authorities more than 90 minutes before he opened fire, according to newly released text messages.
This timeline extends the previously reported awareness by roughly a half-hour.
Text messages obtained by the New York Times from members of the Beaver County Emergency Service Unit provide a clearer picture of the events leading up to the shooting, which grazed Trump’s ear, injured two rally-goers, and resulted in one death.
The messages indicate that Crooks, 20, was conscious of the law enforcement presence as he prepared for his attempt on the GOP nominee’s life.
“Someone followed our lead and snuck in and parked by our cars just so you know,” a counter-sniper texted a colleague at around 4:26 p.m.
He added, “I’m just letting you know because you see me go out with my rifle and put it in my car so he knows you guys are up there sitting to the direct right on a picnic table about 50 yards from the exit.”
By 5:10 p.m., Crooks was positioned below the counter-snipers inside the AGR International building warehouse. Eventually, he climbed onto the roof from where he fired his AR-15, as reported by the Times.
One of the counter-snipers photographed Crooks and shared the images in a group chat around 5:38 p.m.
An officer suggested informing the Secret Service about the suspicious person, noting in a text, “Kid learning around the building we are in. AGR I believe it is. I did see him with a rangefinder looking towards stage. FYI. If you wanna notify SS snipers to look out. I lost sight of him.” Another officer advised, “Call it in to command and have a uniform check it out.”
The photos were forwarded to the Secret Service through the command center. Another group text suggested that Crooks moved toward the back of the AGR complex “away from the event” around 6 p.m.
However, it was about this time that Crooks was positioned on the roof, just minutes before he fire his weapon.
The texts reveal that authorities had knowledge of the suspicious individual close to 100 minutes before the shooting, contradicting previous statements that they were aware approximately 60 minutes prior, as mentioned at a congressional hearing.
Members of Trump’s Secret Service detail have expressed dissatisfaction, claiming they were not informed about the local authorities tracking a suspicious person at the rally in Butler, Pa., according to a Washington Post report.
During the attack, Trump was grazed by a bullet while three rally-goers were shot, including Corey Comperatore, 50, who died shielding his family.
Crooks was subsequently k*lled by a Secret Service sniper.
Federal authorities stated that the shooting was premeditated, but Crooks’ motive remains unknown.
The Secret Service has faced criticism over the incident, with lawmakers questioning how the agency allowed Crooks the opportunity to act. Amid the public criticism, Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned last week.
Stay tuned to The Federalist Wire.
