In a harrowing incident that has shaken the nation, leaked messages have revealed chilling details about the moments leading up to the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024. The attacker, identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, left a cryptic message on the gaming platform Steam, stating, "July 13 will be my premiere, watch as it unfolds," just hours before the attack.
During the rally, Secret Service agents and local law enforcement officers observed Crooks on a rooftop near the venue. Despite spotting him 20 minutes before the shooting, there was a delay in action that allowed Crooks to proceed with his plan.
Bongino's unimpeachable source told him that the counter-sniper USSS team was not approved until one day before the Butler, PA Trump rally. What an F**KING SCANDAL.This transcends Cheatle.
You can feel the hatred for Trump flowing out of Mayorkas' evil "Fidel Castro" fingetips. pic.twitter.com/gNNZp9UDAC— Christoph Engelhardt 🇺🇸☤ (@ChristophE55272) July 29, 2024
Crooks, equipped with a rangefinder, was seen scoping out the area and even looking back at the officers who were monitoring him.
The assailant, who was a registered Republican, did not have a clear motive for the attack. His search history included both Trump and Biden's events, and he had saved images of both politicians on his phone. On the day of the rally, Crooks told his employer he needed the day off for "something important," hinting at his intentions without revealing specifics.
The VERY first shot, just misses the Counter-Sniper, the guy in white shorts and shirt, the lady's sleeve, and hits the railing of the bleachers.
It causes a kinetic disturbance, that I call "The Flinch", which can not be witnessed anywhere else in the audience, at any time: pic.twitter.com/G44xjz4Qb8
— John Cullen 🐓 (@I_Am_JohnCullen) July 21, 2024
Crooks' final hours were marked by alarming movements and interactions. He was seen climbing to the roof with a backpack, and officers were alerted to his presence by rallygoers who noticed his suspicious behavior. When confronted by an officer on the roof, Crooks pointed his rifle at the officer, who then retreated. Moments later, Crooks fired shots at Trump, striking him in the ear. The Secret Service counter-snipers responded swiftly, neutralizing Crooks within 26 seconds of his first shot.
The aftermath of the shooting revealed further disturbing details. Crooks had a remote for three improvised explosive devices in his car, along with three fully loaded magazines and a bulletproof vest, suggesting he might have planned a more extensive attack or anticipated an escape. Despite the swift action of the Secret Service, the delay in addressing the initial threat has sparked criticism and scrutiny over their handling of the situation.
Former classmates of Crooks described him as a loner who was frequently bullied, which may have contributed to his radicalization. However, there were no clear indications of his political beliefs or any deep-seated hatred towards Trump . The FBI is investigating the incident as a potential act of domestic terrorism but has yet to establish a specific ideological motive.
As the investigation continues, the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, proceeded with heightened security. Trump made his first public appearance since the shooting, wearing a bandage over his injured ear and receiving a standing ovation from the crowd. This attack underscores the ongoing threats faced by political figures and the critical need for vigilant security measures.
