Police officer retreated from rooftop before Trump assassination attempt: report

Alex Dhaliwal
  |   July 15, 2024   |   Be the first to comment

Minutes before the attempted assassination of Donald Trump, a police officer tried to confront the gunman, who then fired shots at the presidential candidate.

The FBI identified the gunman as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. Law enforcement has yet to ascertain his motive.

Crooks, a registered Republican, also made a $15 donation to the Progressive Turnout Project in 2021, according to Federal Election Commission records.

Before shots rang out, supporters of Trump notified law enforcement of a suspicious man climbing a building adjacent to the rally. 

Butler police told reporters they “responded to a number of reports of suspicious activity” at the time.

One police officer encountered Crooks, and promptly retreated after the gunman pointed his rifle at the officer.

Crooks immediately shot at Trump in quick succession. Secret Service snipers neutralized the target within seconds, according to officials who spoke anonymously to The Associated Press.

Crooks allegedly fired shots from a rooftop less than 150 meters from where Trump spoke, killing at least one person and critically injuring two others.

Trump reportedly said, “Oh,” after the first shot. He grabbed his ear then crouched down after two more shots rang out. 

“Get down, get down, get down, get down!” shouted agents before tackling the former president. Several piled atop him, while others took defensive positions on the stage.

After repeated affirmations of the shooter being gunned down, someone asked “are we good to move?” and “are we clear?” Then, someone ordered, “Let’s move.”

With blood on the side of his face, Trump got to his feet seconds later. He reached with his right hand, and pumped his fist in the air, mouthing the word “Fight” several times.

Supporters in the crowd cheered and chanted: “USA. USA. USA.”

Trump’s motorcade left the venue moments later. 

The presidential candidate was showing border crossing numbers when the shots were fired just after 6:10 p.m. It took two minutes after the first shot for Trump to leave the area in a waiting SUV.

The FBI are treating the shocking event Saturday as an assassination attempt and an act of domestic terrorism. Preliminary efforts suggest Crooks acted alone.

Combing over his social media activity has yet to uncover any threatening or concerning posts, according to the agency.

“It is surprising” the shooter was able to fire several rounds before being neutralized, said Kevin Rojek, Special Agent in Charge. He told reporters that “all details … will come out in a later investigation.”

“The guy has longer brown hair … and as you can see, he’s carefully trying [to] pinpoint a target from afar before pulling the trigger,” TMZ reported. 

The outlet published a video of the alleged shooter lying on his belly with a rifle aimed at rally goers.

Law enforcement recovered an AR-15, the semi-automatic civilian version of the military M-16.

Officials also told The Associated Press they uncovered “rudimentary” bomb-making materials inside the shooter’s residence and his vehicle.

The attack represents the most serious attempt to assassinate a president or presidential candidate since Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981. 

Many Republicans blamed the violence on President Joe Biden and fellow Democrats, courtesy of heated political rhetoric towards Trumps. They referenced Biden telling donors July 8: “It’s time to put Trump in the bullseye.”

Biden has postponed upcoming campaign events and temporarily pulled down attack ads against Trump. “There’s no place in America for this type of violence,” the president said in remarks. “It’s sick. It’s sick.”

Biden said Sunday he had a “short but good” conversation with Trump Saturday evening to check on his well-being.

Trump’s campaign said he was doing “fine” after the shooting, which pierced his right ear.

“I knew immediately that something was wrong,” Trump wrote on social media. “I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin. Much bleeding took place,” he added.

Alex Dhaliwal

Journalist and Writer

Alex Dhaliwal is a Political Science graduate from the University of Calgary. He has actively written on relevant Canadian issues with several prominent interviews under his belt.

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