Law enforcement officials discovered a would-be assassin of former President Donald Trump about 30 minutes before a gunman opened fire at a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday, local NBC affiliates reported.
Authorities reportedly identified the shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, on the rooftop at about 5:45 p.m., about 30 minutes before he attempted to assassinate former President Trump. report The media outlet reported Monday, citing an anonymous police source, that the person who spotted the shooter then reportedly took a photo of him and called police, but it was unclear at the time whether he was armed.
WPXI also reported, citing an anonymous law enforcement source, that officers spotted Crooks at the rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, and reported him as “suspicious.” The person who spotted Crooks at the rally took a photo of him and attempted to search for him but was unsuccessful, the outlet reported. (Related article: Rudy Giuliani warns that “another Lee Harvey Oswald” will emerge if Trump assassination attempt is not resolved)
I took some totally surreal photos. translation: The footage reportedly shows a bullet whizzing past President Trump's head. pic.twitter.com/3K8fsGAVWV
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) July 14, 2024
ReutersWPXI sister station Wio TV 7 And that New York Post We also reported on the story for WPXI.
One of the officers then reportedly reached the roof of the building and encountered Crooks. According to the Associated Press, Crooks pointed his gun at the officers, who then retreated from the roof. Shortly thereafter, the gunman took aim at Trump and fired, coming within inches of assassinating the former president, before police returned fire and shot him dead.
A bullet grazed Trump's ear, nearly killing him. One attendee was killed and two were wounded. The Secret Service confirmed that local law enforcement officers were in the building where Crooks fired at Trump while the gunman was on the roof. ABC NewsLittle is currently known about the 20-year-old Crooks or his worldview, other than that he is a registered Republican and has previously made small donations to Democratic-leaning political organizations. according to To Axios.
The Secret Service has come under heavy scrutiny for its security at the venue after the gunman fired several apparent shots at Trump before being neutralised. President Joe Biden It is called The government has called for a “thorough and prompt” investigation into the shooting, and lawmakers are also moving to launch their own independent investigation into the failed assassination attempt.
The Beaver County Sheriff's Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Secret Service did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
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