Since the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump on July 13, more details have emerged about the shooter - details that seem to keep raising more questions than they answer.
According to a Daily Wire article citing the New York Times, a counter-sniper had flagged Thomas Matthew Crooks as suspicious before the sniper’s shift ended at 4:26 p.m. at the rally, nearly 90 minutes before the shooting took place.
Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) shared text messages with the New York Times of a group text between the snipers and local police, one of which read, “Someone followed our lead and snuck in and parked by our cars just so you know.” That message was sent at 4:26 p.m., a full hour and a half before Crooks opened fire on Trump, narrowly grazing the former president’s ear and hitting three others behind him, killing one man.
Another text sent around 5:40 p.m read: “Kid leaning around building we are in. AGR I believe it is. I did see him with a rangefinder looking towards the stage. FYI. If you wanna notify SS snipers to look out. I lost sight of him.”
These messages indicate that counter-snipers and police officers were aware of Crooks and his location well before the shooting occurred, raising the question of why the Secret Service near Trump was not notified.
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Bodycam footage also shows one officer's reaction to what happened.
“I’m trying to figure out how this guy got here,” the officer can be heard stating.
“Looks like, what, at least eight,” another officer said, pointing out the spent shells on the ground. “One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight. At least eight.”
As more news emerges, public confidence in the Secret Service's ability to protect the President and presidential candidates is waning, despite their critical role in ensuring their safety.