Report: Law Enforcement Spotted Suspect 30 Minutes Before Trump Assassination Attempt

On Saturday, an assassination attempt was made on former President Donald Trump during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The attack occurred when a gunman, later identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, opened fire. Trump, who reported being shot in the ear, was quickly whisked away from the scene with visible blood on his face.

The chaotic episode resulted in the deaths of the assailant and an audience member. Additionally, two other rally attendees sustained injuries but are now reported to be in stable condition, according to officials.

The FBI said that Crooks acted independently and is currently delving deeper into his background, including efforts to unlock his phone as part of the ongoing investigation. The motive behind the brazen attack remains a mystery for law enforcement as they continue to piece together the event.

On Monday Channel 11 News revealed startling new details surrounding the events that led up to the recent assassination attempt. Law enforcement officials reportedly observed Crooks on the rooftop approximately 30 minutes before he opened fire.

Nicole Ford reported that the Beaver County Emergency Services Unit, which included snipers and spotters, was present at the rally. At 5:45 p.m., one of the spotters identified a suspicious individual on a nearby roof, immediately reported the sighting, and captured a photo. The individual has now been confirmed as Thomas Crooks. It remains uncertain whether Crooks was armed at the time of the sighting.

“According to multiple sources, a law enforcement officer had also previously seen Crooks on the ground and called him in as a suspicious person with a picture prior to 5:45 p.m. Our sources tell us an officer checked the grounds for Crooks at that point, but did not see him where the first picture was taken,” the outlet reported. “26 minutes after the second picture of Crooks was taken by law enforcement and the information called in, shots were fired from the roof of the American Glass Research building. Seconds later, a Secret Service sniper returned fire and killed Crooks.”

BREAKING: Thomas Crooks was spotted by law enforcement on a roof *26 minutes* before the sho*ting that nearly k*lled the former president.

According to WPXI-11, someone had noticed a "suspicious man" on the roof at 5:45 pm.

The person took a photo of Crooks.

The sources who… pic.twitter.com/NMTmhqcJzK

— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) July 15, 2024

Crooks also bought 50 rounds of ammunition just mere hours before the rally. The purchase was made at Allegheny Arms and Gun Works located in Bethel Park, as reported by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

A spokesperson for Allegheny Arms told the outlet: “As a responsible member of our community it is our prerogative to cooperate with law enforcement in every way. We are thankful that President Trump was not assassinated and our hearts and prayers go out to all victims of this horrible incident. Out of respect for the ongoing investigation and that of those affected we will not make any further statements.”

As of Monday, almost 48 hours after the assassination attempt, the FBI has not yet determined a motive for Crooks’ actions. Law enforcement is actively trying to access Crooks’ cellphone to further understand his background and potential motivations as he remains an enigma. Despite being two years out of high school and having targeted a major political figure, no discernible online footprint or social media presence has shed light on his motives.

(VOTE: Do You Think The Trump Shooting Was A Deep State Inside Job?)