A newly released body camera video captures local law enforcement and a U.S. Secret Service agent identifying the body of the assailant who attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump on July 13 at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Released by Republican Senator Chuck Grassley on social media platform X, the footage shows several officers on the roof from where Trump was shot at a distance of over 400 feet, according to CBS News. The body of the shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, is also visible on the rooftop along with traces of blood.
Audio from the video confirms that the deceased matches the description of the suspect shown in photos circulated before the shooting. "A Beaver County sniper saw and sent the photos; this is him," the agent says in the video, referring to the shooter's body. "Did you get the same photos I did?" an officer asks the agent about the pictures. "I think so, he (the shooter) has his glasses on," the agent responds during their conversation.
The officer adds that the sniper "sent the original photos and saw him (the shooter) arrive on a bike, drop a backpack, and then lost sight of him." Kimberly Cheatle, the director of the U.S. Secret Service, resigned on Tuesday following criticism over the security lapses at the Butler rally, as reported by NBC.
Cheatle, who had been in the position since August 2022, faced numerous calls for resignation and multiple investigations into how the assailant was able to get so close to the Republican presidential candidate during the outdoor rally.
The Republican candidate for the upcoming U.S. presidential election, Trump, was evacuated urgently during the rally. Ultimately, one person in the crowd died, the shooter was killed, and two others were injured. A bullet also grazed the former president’s ear.
Details Surrounding the Trump Shooting Incident
The following questions and answers provide more insight into the recent shooting incident involving former President Donald Trump.
Who released the body cam footage?
The body cam footage was released by Republican Senator Chuck Grassley on the social media platform X.
Who was the shooter identified in the footage?
The shooter identified in the footage was Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old individual.
Why did Kimberly Cheatle resign?
Kimberly Cheatle resigned due to criticism and investigations into security lapses during the Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
What were the consequences of the shooting incident?
The shooting incident resulted in one person in the crowd dying, the shooter being killed, two others getting injured, and a bullet grazing former President Trump's ear.