In a chilling turn of events, newly released footage has captured the moments leading up to a brazen assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. The video, shared on social media, shows a would-be gunman crawling onto the roof of a nearby building as Trump addressed a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
The 52-second clip, recorded by a rally attendee, showcases the desperate attempts of onlookers to alert the authorities to the imminent danger. “Look, they’re all pointing,” the man behind the camera says, as people in the crowd frantically gesture towards the roof, where the gunman, identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, can be clearly seen.
Despite the crowd’s frantic cries for help, the video shows no immediate action taken by the police officers present. “Yeah, someone’s up on the top of the roof. There he is right there,” the cameraman continues, as others shout, “Right here, right on the roof!”
As Trump’s voice can be heard delivering his remarks in the background, the camera zooms in on Crooks, who is lying prone on the roof, his AR-style rifle at the ready. The chilling footage captures the gunman’s every move, with rally-goers desperately attempting to alert the authorities to the imminent danger.
According to anonymous law enforcement sources, a local police officer did eventually climb a ladder to investigate the reports, but was met with Crooks pointing his weapon directly at him. The officer then retreated, and Crooks immediately opened fire, grazing Trump in the ear, killing a volunteer firefighter, and gravely wounding two others.
It is not yet clear what motivated Crooks’ actions, as no known manifesto or clear motive has been identified by law enforcement. The shocking incident has left the nation reeling, raising questions about the security protocols in place at political rallies and the ongoing threat of political violence.
The newly released footage has sent shockwaves through the country, highlighting the fragility of the democratic process and the need for heightened vigilance in safeguarding our political leaders. As the investigation into this brazen assassination attempt continues, the nation must grapple with the sobering reality that the sacred tradition of peaceful political discourse remains under threat.
