Newly surfaced text messages show that law enforcement had identified Thomas Matthew Crooks, the gunman who targeted former President Donald Trump at a Pennsylvania campaign rally, more than 90 minutes before he opened fire.
This timeline is significantly longer than the previously reported 60 minutes, revealing a concerning oversight in security measures.
The New York Times obtained these texts from members of the Beaver County Emergency Service Unit, providing a detailed account of the events leading up to the tragic incident.
Crooks, 20, was not only aware of the law enforcement presence but managed to park near their vehicles, raising suspicions among the officers.
At approximately 4:26 p.m., a counter-sniper texted a colleague, noting, “Someone followed our lead and snuck in and parked by our cars just so you know.”
This individual, later identified as Crooks, seemed to understand the layout of the law enforcement personnel, potentially preparing for his deadly act.
By 5:10 p.m., Crooks was positioned below the counter-snipers at the AGR International building
Despite a counter-sniper taking photos of him and sharing them in a group chat by 5:38 p.m., there was a failure to immediately alert the Secret Service about this looming threat.
One officer expressed concern in a text, suggesting, “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.”
Despite the warning signs, “Call it in to command and have a uniform check it out,” it wasn’t until around 6 p.m. that the texts indicate Crooks was moving around the complex.
The suspicious person was not promptly identified as Crooks, allowing him to move freely around the complex.
By around 6 p.m., the texts indicate Crooks was seen moving “away from the event,” just moments before he climbed onto the roof and opened fire with an AR-15.
The shooting resulted in the injury of two rallygoers, the death of Corey Comperatore, 50, who heroically shielded his family, and a minor injury to Trump himself. Crooks was swiftly neutralized by a Secret Service sniper.
This new evidence raises serious questions about the response time and communication breakdown among law enforcement and Secret Service agents.
The fact that Crooks was known to authorities for nearly 100 minutes before the shooting, yet was still able to carry out his plan, has sparked outrage among Trump supporters.
Many are particularly upset about the lack of timely communication with the Secret Service, which could have potentially prevented the tragic outcome.
The incident has led to significant criticism of the Secret Service, culminating in the resignation of Director Kimberly Cheatle amid the growing backlash.
Federal authorities have confirmed that the attack was premeditated, though Crooks’ exact motive remains unclear.