As the investigation into the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump continues, it has been revealed that in addition to the suspect, Thomas Crooks, other suspicious individuals were noted by security at the Butler, Pennsylvania event.
BETHEL PARK, Pa. - In addition to would-be Trump assassin Thomas Matthew Crooks, other suspicious people were noted by security at the Butler, Pennsylvania event, Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner Christopher Paris told the House Committee on Homeland Security.
"Was [Crooks] the only one determined to be suspicious that day?" Rep. Andrew Garbarino asked Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner Christopher Paris on Tuesday.
Trump Assassination Attempt: Additional Suspicious Individuals Identified
"No, he was not," Paris replied.
Colonel Paris explained that Crooks was identified for not matriculating, meaning he never made it through the secure perimeter into the venue space itself.
Trump Assassination Attempt: Additional Suspicious Individuals Identified
Law enforcement officials spotted Crooks at about 5:10 p.m. on July 13, identifying him as a "suspicious person of interest." About 20 minutes before Trump took the stage, a sniper spotted Crooks looking at his phone and a rangefinder, snapped a photo, and sent it to the "Sniper Group" chat.
"There was a text thread that was going," Paris said. "They took a photo of him at some point when he utilized the rangefinder. The suspicion was heightened... I know from an interview that was immediately relayed in the command post to the Secret Service."
Trump Assassination Attempt: Additional Suspicious Individuals Identified
Just over ten minutes later, the Secret Service spotted Crooks on the roof of a building about 150 yards away from the podium where Trump was set to address the crowd. A law enforcement officer was assigned to monitor the roof of the building, but a whistleblower told Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley that the officer left their post because it was "too hot."
Paris emphasized that Crooks was determined to be suspicious before Trump went on to speak, but there was no information that he possessed a weapon.
Trump Assassination Attempt: Additional Suspicious Individuals Identified
"Just for some context, there were over 100 people that day that necessitated or required medical attention due to the heat, there was a missing six-year-old," Paris added.
The investigation into the assassination attempt is ongoing, and law enforcement continues to search for additional suspects who may have been involved in the plot. The identification of other suspicious individuals raises questions about the adequacy of security measures at the event and the potential for further threats against the former president.
Trump Assassination Attempt: Additional Suspicious Individuals Identified
