New bodycam footage shows moment Trump rally shooter found dead on roof as agents reveal they ‘lost sight’ of gunman
HARROWING bodycam footage has revealed the moment police and Secret Service agents found the body of a would-be-assassin after he opened fire on Donald Trump.
Thomas Crooks, 20, positioned himself on a roof just 430 feet away from the former president before launching his terrifying attack at an open air rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13.
The gunman, who grazed Trump’s ear with one of his bullets which left one dead and two critically injured, was shot dead by counter Secret Service snipers moments later.
Footage released on Tuesday shows officers gathered over Crooks‘ body, as a man in a suit – who appears to be a Secret Service agent – and heavily armed officers discuss the case.
“So this is the guy,” the man in the suit can be heard asking one of the heavily armed officers.
“Yes,” the armed officer responds. “The Beaver County sniper that seen him and sent the pictures out. This is him.”
His knowing of Crooks confirms that the Secret Service was aware of a suspicious person before the shooting began.
It comes as…
- Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigns in disgrace following the failed protection of Trump during the shooting
- A US Navy SEAL sniper said the Secret Service left Trump ‘extremely vulnerable’ after visiting the shooting site
- Gunman Thomas Crooks’ dad seen for the first time since his son’s assassination attempt on Trump
- Trump plans to reportedly stop holding outside rallies
The graphic video shows blood trailing from the gunman’s body while the rifle used during the shooting lies nearby.
Another officer then acknowledges that the rifle was lying near his body — which Crooks used to fire eight shots at Trump.
The agent also mentions seeing Crooks on a bicycle which a Secret Service agent took pictures of before the shooting.
“So we’re treating that as a suspicious device?” the apparent Secret Service agent asks.
One of the armed men then directs the suited man to speak to a man named “Greg” who took the pictures.
“That’s the sniper that sent the original picture and seen him come from the bike and set the book bag down and then lost sight of him,” he said.
The two men then begin to discuss the pictures of Crooks “with his glasses on” and start to scroll on their phones.
“Maybe they were involved, maybe they weren’t,” the man in the suit says.
Moment officers found Thomas Crooks' body
NEW footage has shown the moment officers found Thomas Crooks' body after he was shot by a sniper for attempting to assassinate former president Donald Trump. A man who appeared to be a Secret Service agent and a heavily armed man could be heard speaking about the would-be assassin.
“So this is the guy,” the man in a suit said to the heavily armed officer.
“Yes. The Beaver County sniper that seen him and sent the pictures out. This is him,” the cop responded.
“That’s the sniper that sent the original picture and seen him come from the bike and set the book bag down and then lost sight of him,” he told the man who appeared to be a Secret Service agent.
“So we’re treating that as a suspicious device?” the man who looked like a Secret Service agent asked.
“Maybe they were involved, maybe they weren’t,” the man in the suit recalled.
“The guys that saw them filming said, ‘They were filming us, then filming the guy on the roof, then filming us.’ When the shots started firing they tried to run away, isn’t that what everyone would do that had a phone?”
He then spoke about a man he said was detained on the ground.
“I’m not saying they were involved or they weren’t involved, but I got no problem detaining them. I just want to detain those guys find out what they know, who they are whatever, I’m trying to get clear information to relay back to DC.”
“The guys that saw them filming said, ‘They were filming us, then filming the guy on the roof, then filming us.’
“When the shots started firing they tried to run away, isn’t that what everyone would do that had a phone?”
He then speaks about a man he said was detained on the ground.
“I’m not saying they were involved or they weren’t involved, but I got no problem detaining them,” he can be heard saying.
“I just want to detain those guys find out what they know, who they are whatever, I’m trying to get clear information to relay back to DC.”
The clip, obtained from Beaver County Emergency Services Unit, was posted by Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley on X, obtained on Tuesday.
“July 13 Bodycam footage provides more info than the Secret Service will share with America,” Grassley wrote alongside the video.
“We need detailed answers ASAP on security failures transparency brings accountability.”
‘QUARTER INCH FROM DEATH’
Trump, 78, took the stage at his rally shortly after 6 pm in Butler, Pennsylvania on July 13.
He had just started his rally when he turned to direct attention to a chart on illegal immigration at the border when shots rang out.
The former president quickly grasped his ear and pulled it away to find blood on his hand.
All of a sudden he dropped to the ground and his Secret Service team immediately pounced on top of him.
At the Republican National Convention, Trump recalled the moment he felt “something” hit him “really really hard” on his right ear.
“I said to myself ‘Wow what was that?’ It could only be a bullet,” he said.
Donald Trump Rally Shooting Timeline
Donald Trump was shot at during his Pennsylvania rally on July 13.
1pm: Doors open at the Butler Farm Show grounds where Trump was expected to speak at 5pm.
4:11pm: Sean Parnell gave the opening speech.
4:35pm: David McCormick rallied the crowd.
5:10pm: Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, later identified as the shooter, was first identified as a person of interest.
5:30pm: Crooks was spotted with a rangefinder.
5:30pm: Crowds were still waiting for Trump.
5:52pm: Crooks was spotted on the roof by Secret Service.
6:02pm: Trump takes the stage.
6:09pm: Two sniper teams posted on buildings to the north and south behind the rally stage repositioned and were locked on Crooks.
6:12pm: Gunshots were fired toward the stage as Trump delivered remarks.
6:12pm: Secret Service returns fire, confirming the shooter is dead.
6:12pm: Trump was ushered off stage by Secret Service agents.
6:42pm: Secret Service confirmed Trump is safe.
7:24pm: The shooter and one rally attendee are confirmed dead by law enforcement officials.
8:42pm: Trump confirms he was shot in the ear, sharing a statement on Truth Social.
8:49pm: The Secret Service confirms the shooter and a rally attendee are dead. Two others remain critically injured.
He also described “blood pouring everywhere” as he lay beneath the bodies of his Secret Service agents.
“If I had not moved my head at that moment, the assassin’s bullet would’ve hit its mark,” he told the crowd.
He said he was a “quarter inch from death” but turned his head at the last second which saved him.
Trump will now reportedly not hold outdoor rallies like the one he was shot during in Pennsylvania, per two sources familiar with his campaign, NBC News reported.
The sources said right now he will have indoor rallies but may have smaller outdoor rallies or big ones in stadiums where entrances are more controlled and there isn’t a threat of high ground or roofs.
ADMITTED DEFEAT
Following the assassination attempt, the Secret Service has been pressed for answers on its failed protection of former president Trump at his rally.
Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle, 53, officially resigned from her role on Tuesday after deflecting questions and admitting they failed on July 13.
After being ordered to appear at a House Oversight and Accountability Committee for a congressional hearing about the assassination attempt, Cheatle was urged to step down by numerous lawmakers.
Her non-answers and refusal to give information frustrated representatives to the point of lashing out.
At one point, South Carolina Republican Representative Nancy Mace started to swear at Cheatle and accuse her of lying to the committee.
“You’re full of s**t today. You’re just being completely dishonest,’ Mace fumed.
The former director took full responsibility for the security issue and told the committee she would “move heaven and earth to ensure that an incident like July 13 does not happen again.”
She later announced her resignation to Secret Service agents, in a letter NBC News first reported.
“The Secret Service’s solemn mission is to protect our nation’s leaders and financial infrastructure. On July 13th, we fell short on that mission,” the disgraced former director wrote.
“The scrutiny over the last week has been intense and will continue to remain as our operational tempo increases. As your Director, I take full responsibility for the security lapse.
“However, this incident does not define us. We remain an organization based on integrity and staffed by individuals of exceptional dedication and talent.
“As I’ve stated, the Secret Service will move forward with our investigatory and protective mission in a steadfast manner.
“We do not retreat from challenge. However, I do not want my calls for resignation to be a distraction from the great work each and every one of you do towards our vital mission.”
Donald Trump's Full Statement Post-Rally Shooting
Former president Donald Trump provided an update on Truth Social after the shooting that took place at his Pennsylvania rally on July 13.
“I want to thank The United States Secret Service, and all of Law Enforcement, for their rapid response on the shooting that just took place in Butler, Pennsylvania.
“Most importantly, I want to extend my condolences to the family of the person at the Rally who was killed, and also to the family of another person that was badly injured.
“It is incredible that such an act can take place in our Country. Nothing is known at this time about the shooter, who is now dead.
“I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear. I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin.
“Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening. GOD BLESS AMERICA!”