Bodycam Footage Released, Reveals Cop Had Multiple Pics of Shooter Before Trump Attack
Newly released bodycam footage reveals that law enforcement had taken photos of the would-be assassin before the gunman fired shots at Donald Trump.
The video, released Tuesday by Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley’s office, shows what appears to be a Secret Service agent with heavily armed officers on the roof where Thomas Matthew Crooks fired at the former president on July 13.
The men were comparing photos of Crooks taken just before the shooting, after his suspicious behavior drew attention from authorities guarding the Trump campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
This discussion took place just feet away from the would-be assassin’s body. While Crooks was not visible in the footage, the rifle and a trail of blood on the roof provided a grisly context.
“A Beaver County sniper came and sent the pictures out. This is him,” a local officer told the agent, referring to Crooks' body.
At one point, the men compared photos on their cellphones.
“He’s the one that sent the pictures out. I don’t know if you got the same ones I did,” the officer said to the agent.
While Grassley’s post on the social media platform X couldn't be embedded, the Breaking 911 account shared the same video.
BREAKING: Bodycam footage from roof following attempted assassination of President Trump
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) July 23, 2024
Officer says Secret Service sniper took multiple photos of Thomas Crooks before the shooting. pic.twitter.com/E4dVx7SbwN
The fact that law enforcement had eyes on Crooks due to his behavior raises more questions about how the assassination attempt was able to proceed so far — and with such deadly consequences.
Trump narrowly escaped death, suffering a wound to his ear. Tragically, a man in the audience was killed while trying to protect his family from the gunfire, and two others were critically injured.
How in the world was Trump not hurried off the stage immediately after the Secret Service saw the sh**ter?
— Paul A. Szypula 🇺🇸 (@Bubblebathgirl) July 23, 2024
A better question is how was he let onto the stage.....
— SlikPrimo15 (@SlickPrimo15) July 24, 2024
According to a timeline of events compiled by Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin and released on Sunday, a law enforcement officer took a photo of Crooks at 5:14 p.m. on the day of the Trump rally.
🚨Preliminary findings in my investigation into the attempted assassination of President Trump: pic.twitter.com/iMlN2hu8fw
— Senator Ron Johnson (@SenRonJohnson) July 21, 2024
At 5:49 p.m., the photos were sent to the Butler County Emergency Services Unit, the local law enforcement authority coordinating with the Secret Service for event security.
Trump took the stage at 6:03 p.m., as noted by a timeline published by CBS News.
Crooks opened fire at 6:11 p.m., according to Johnson’s timeline.