Law enforcement officials monitoring former President Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania were aware of Thomas Matthew Crooks, the individual who attempted to assassinate Trump, at least 90 minutes before the shooting incident took place. Text messages obtained by Fox News Digital from Senator Chuck Grassley revealed that officers had flagged Crooks as suspicious after spotting him using a range finder, but did not approach him.
The messages included screenshots of a group chat among Beaver County Emergency Services Unit officers, as well as a message from one officer warning that Crooks had parked near their vehicles. Crooks was later seen sitting at a picnic table near the rally’s exit and then positioned himself near the American Glass International building, where he eventually opened fire on the former president.
A picture of Crooks was circulated among law enforcement officers, with one officer describing him as a “kid learning around the building we are in” and noting that he had been seen using a range finder. Despite efforts to keep an eye on Crooks, he managed to evade security measures and carried out the shooting.
The newly revealed texts indicate that authorities were aware of the suspicious individual well before the shooting incident occurred, contradicting earlier reports that suggested a shorter timeframe between spotting Crooks and the shooting. Crooks was ultimately killed by a counter-sniper after he began firing at rally attendees, injuring several individuals including Trump himself.
In addition to Trump, rally attendees James Copenhaver and David Dutch were injured in the shooting. Corey Comperatore, who was killed while protecting his family, was among those shot by Crooks. Copenhaver has since been released from the hospital, while Dutch was discharged on July 24th.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Secret Service for comment on the events surrounding the attempted assassination of former President Trump. Journalist Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, based in Orlando, Florida, is covering breaking news related to the incident and can be contacted for story tips and ideas at sarah.rumpf@fox.com.
