New Details Raise Questions About Security and Surveillance Before the Attack
Federal investigators are probing new information suggesting that Thomas Matthew Crooks, the 20-year-old gunman who attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump, might have scoped out the Butler Farm Show grounds six days before the deadly attack.
Cellphone data linked to Crooks indicates he was potentially in the area on July 7, 2024, six days before he opened fire from a warehouse roof at the Pennsylvania rally. This new revelation raises concerns that Crooks might have surveyed the site even before law enforcement conducted a security assessment, which took place on July 8. The Secret Service and local authorities finalized their plans a few days later, but they decided to exclude the warehouses to the north of the stage from the security zone, despite one being within rifle range.
On July 13, Crooks opened fire during the rally, grazing Trump’s right ear and killing a rally attendee while injuring two others. Federal officials are now investigating whether the early reconnaissance by Crooks could have contributed to security vulnerabilities at the rally. Crooks had taken the day off from his nursing home job, telling his employer he needed to handle something important.
This new information is under scrutiny by Congress, with the FBI leading the investigation into the assassination attempt. However, officials have not disclosed whether they plan to release a formal report on the incident.
