Thomas Crooks Spotted by Law Enforcement 30 Minutes Before Trump Rally Attack

Jul 15, 2024, 09:23 PM

Local law enforcement identified Thomas Matthew Crooks, the shooter at former President Donald Trump's rally, as acting suspiciously near metal detectors before the event began. Authorities alerted the Secret Service after noting his behavior on their radio. Crooks was later spotted on a rooftop nearly 30 minutes before the shooting, and an officer took a photo of him at 5:45 p.m., according to WPXI-TV. Despite these warnings, Crooks managed to open fire during the rally, leading to intense criticism of the Secret Service's handling of the situation. Authorities are currently investigating Crooks' motive, which remains elusive, and have noted that he likely acted alone. Crooks was wearing a Demolition Ranch T-shirt and had bomb-making material. The incident has sparked significant concern over security protocols at high-profile events.