At the time of the attempted assassination effort against former president Donald Trump on July 13 at his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, text messages between users of the Beaver County Emergency Service Unit revealed that law enforcement was apparently conscious of would-be killer Thomas Matthew Crooks over 90 days prior.
Despite previous reports that law enforcement was conscious of a cautious person at the Trump rally one hour prior to the shooting, new text emails obtained by The New York Times reveal that law enforcement was conscious of Crooks about 100 days before the attempted assassination.
The shooter, age 20, was aware of the law enforcement presence at the Trump rally as he prepared for his attack on the former president, according to the text messages.
At 4:30 p.m., a counter-sniper texted,” Someone followed our lead and snuck in and parked by our cars just so you know.” m. You see me go out with my rifle and put it in my car so he knows you guys are up there, he is sitting to the direct right on a picnic table about 50 yards from the exit, and I just wanted to let you know, because I just let you know. ”
Around 5:10 p.m., according to The New York Times, Crooks was spotted beneath the AGR International building warehouse counter-snipers. m. The counter-snipers eventually captured photos of Crooks and posted them in the group chat at 5:38 p.m., according to the outlet. m. .
After watching Crooks use a range finder, the law enforcement official suggested Secret Service snipers be made aware of the suspicious person in the photos.
Kids are being taught in the building we are in. AGR I believe it is, ” the officer wrote. I did spot him while he was aiming toward the stage with a range finder. FYI. If you want to alert SS snipers to watch out. I forgot about him. Additionally, there is a backpack-mounted bike that was unspotted earlier in the back of the building. ”
Republican Iowa Sen. reportedly sent a different message to The New York Times. Chuck Grassley’s office, an officer texted, “Call it in to command and have a uniform check it out. ”
Collin Rugg, co-owner of Trending Politics, shared images of the text messages on Sunday.
On social media, people have been mocked and disbelieved for sending texts claiming law enforcement was aware of Crooks well before Trump staged his Pennsylvania rally.
They seem incredibly nonchalant and composed about someone carrying a gun and range finder, according to one user on social media. Unbelievable. ” Another tweeted, “Inside job. This cannot be more clear. ” A third social media user said, “It was a SETUP from the beginning. No other explanation is possible. ”
