Recent footage has emerged that shows Thomas Matthew Crooks, the man accused of attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump, before the incident at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on July 13, 2024.
Captured by a local business owner selling patriotic hats, this unsettling video has quickly gained traction on social media. The seller discovered the footage while reviewing their recordings from that day.
In a viral TikTok post, the caption reads: “Terrifying moment… Looking back at my videos from the PA Butler Trump rally on 7/13/24… we were just trying to sell our patriotic hats…” The video features Crooks at 4:26 PM, moments before the assassination attempt occurred.
The attack resulted in the death of bystander Corey Comperatore and injuries to David Dutch and James Copenhaver. It shocked the nation and raised serious questions regarding security measures at political events. During the chaos, Trump sustained an ear injury after Crooks opened fire from a nearby rooftop, prompting the Secret Service to neutralize him.
This footage comes just after a preliminary investigation report by Representative Clay Higgins, a Republican from Louisiana, who is part of a House task force looking into the shooting. Higgins’s findings, submitted to task force chairman Representative Mike Kelly, have drawn attention to potential mishandling of evidence.
Higgins noted his unsuccessful attempt to examine Crooks’ body during a visit to Butler in early August. He revealed that the FBI had cremated Crooks’ body merely ten days post-incident, a fact that was unknown to local officials until his inquiry. He has labeled the FBI’s actions as obstructive to any further investigation and criticized delays in both the coroner’s and autopsy reports.
This new video adds complexity to an already intricate case, reigniting discussions about security at large gatherings. Organizing open-air rallies involves balancing public accessibility with stringent security protocols—a challenge that remains pressing for event organizers and protective services.
In his statement, Higgins emphasized his resolve to uncover the truth surrounding the assassination attempt, assuring that every question will be answered, every theory investigated, and all doubts clarified, as the American public deserves transparency in this incident.
