Snipers Were Suspicious Of Trump Rally Gunman 90 Minutes Before He Opened Fire

The man who attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump earlier this month was identified by law enforcement as suspicious more than 90 minutes before he shot at Trump, according to newly revealed text messages. 

Text messages obtained by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and shared with The New York Times show that a counter-sniper flagged 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks as suspicious at 4:26 p.m. before his shift at the Pennsylvania rally ended. Crooks would go on to open fire on Trump, striking the former president in the ear at 6:11 p.m., injuring two other rally attendees, and killing 50-year-old Corey Comperatore. 

“Someone followed our lead and snuck in and parked by our cars just so you know,” a group text between counter-snipers with the local police response read, according to the Times. 

He said he wanted to make Crooks aware that law enforcement was in the area. 

“I’m just letting you know because you see me go out with my rifle and put it in my car so he knows you guys are up there sitting to the direct right on a picnic table about 50 yards from the exit,” he said. 

“Roger that,” someone responded.

Later, at 5:10 p.m., about an hour before the attack, Crooks was photographed by law enforcement outside of a building owned by AGR International. Twenty-eight minutes later, the counter-snipers shared photos of Crooks in their group chat and discussed telling the Secret Service, according to the messages. 

“Kid learning around building we are in. AGR I believe it is. I did see him with a range finder looking towards stage. FYI. If you wanna notify SS snipers to look out. I lost sight of him,” one officer wrote. 

“Call it in to command and have a uniform check it out,” another responded. 

At 6:11 p.m., Crooks opened fire on Trump from the rooftop of the AGR building, narrowly missing his head and striking his ear. Counter-snipers responded by killing Crooks.

In body camera footage of the aftermath of the shooting, an officer says, “I’m trying to figure out how this guy got here.”

In the footage obtained by Grassley, Crooks can be seen lying dead in the background with a pool of blood alongside what appears to be the rifle he used in the attack. 

Another officer in the video says Crooks fired his rifle at least eight times. “Looks like, what, at least eight,” the officer said, pointing out shell casings. “One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight. At least eight.”

The investigation into the shooting is ongoing, with questions remaining about the security failures at Trump’s campaign rally. House lawmakers voted last week to create a task force to investigate the attack.