Newly released text messages reveal that authorities were aware of Thomas Matthew Crooks, the would-be assassin of Donald Trump, more than 90 minutes before he opened fire at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania. This timeline is significantly earlier than the previously stated half-hour, according to The New York Times.
The text messages, exchanged among Beaver County Emergency Service Unit members, provide a detailed timeline leading up to the shooting. Crooks’ attack injured Trump and two rallygoers, killing one.
One counter-sniper alerted a colleague about a suspicious person, later identified as Crooks, at 4:26 p.m. Crooks was spotted near the AGR International building where he eventually climbed onto the rooftop and fired his AR-15.
Photos of Crooks were taken by the counter-snipers and shared in a group chat at around 5:38 p.m. Despite concerns, the Secret Service was not immediately informed about the suspicious person. Texts indicate authorities lost sight of Crooks, who later positioned himself on the roof and opened fire.
Crooks’ presence was known to authorities nearly 100 minutes before the shooting, contradicting the 60-minute claim made in a congressional hearing. The Secret Service has faced criticism for failing to act on the information. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned last week amid the backlash.
Trump suffered an ear injury, and three rallygoers were shot, including Corey Comperatore, who died shielding his family. Crooks was killed by a Secret Service sniper shortly after the shooting. The motive behind Crooks’ planned attack remains unknown.
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