Newly released body camera footage reveals the chaotic scene that unfolded before and after Thomas Crooks’ assassination attempt on former President Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The Butler Township Police Department released 12 body camera videos that show the security failure that almost resulted in the assassination of the former president, led to the death of a retired fire chief, and left two others seriously injured.
On July 13, Crooks managed to get onto a rooftop and fired eight shots from just 147 yards away from the former president as he was addressing the crowd on stage. A countersniper on a nearby roof quickly killed Crooks with a single shot to the head.
The body camera footage revealed that the Secret Service was supposed to secure the building days before the rally, but there was a breakdown in communication that led to no one being stationed on the roof with a direct line of sight to the president. This lack of coordination has raised questions about the organization and preparedness of the Secret Service.
One officer had a terrifying confrontation with Crooks when he pointed his weapon at the officer, causing him to lose his balance while hanging from the building. Crooks fired, hitting Trump in the ear and killing former firefighter Corey Comperatore. The officer then retrieved a gun from his car and joined other law enforcement agents in surrounding the building where Crooks was.
Attendees at the rally had repeatedly warned officers about Crooks’ presence, but law enforcement lost sight of him before the shooting. The confusion and breakdown in communication among the various law enforcement agencies contributed to the security failure that allowed Crooks to get so close to the former president.
The body camera footage also highlighted the communication breakdown among the officers, with one expressing frustration that they were not on the same frequency as other agencies. Spotty cell service further hampered communication during the crisis, leading to a chaotic and disorganized response to the assassination attempt.
Overall, the body camera footage provides a behind-the-scenes look at the security failure that almost resulted in the assassination of former President Trump. It raises important questions about the coordination and communication among law enforcement agencies and the Secret Service during high-profile events like political rallies. Additional training and protocols may be needed to prevent similar security lapses in the future.
