Text messages between members of the Beaver County Emergency Service Unit show that law enforcement was reportedly aware of would-be assassin Thomas Matthew Crooks over 90 minutes before the assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump at his July 13 rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
While it was previously reported that law enforcement officials were aware of a suspicious person at the Trump rally approximately one hour before the shooting, new text messages obtained by The New York Times reveal that law enforcement officials were aware of Crooks almost 100 minutes before the assassination attempt.
The text messages also show that the 20-year-old shooter was aware of the law enforcement presence at the Trump rally as he prepared for his attack against the former president.
“Someone followed our lead and snuck in and parked by our cars just so you know,” a counter-sniper texted at 4:26 p.m. “I’m just letting you know because you see me go out with my rifle and put it in my car so he knows you guys are up there he’s sitting to the direct right on a picnic table about 50 yards from the exit.”
The New York Times reported that Crooks was located below the counter-snipers inside the AGR International building warehouse around 5:10 p.m. The outlet noted that one of the counter-snipers eventually took pictures of Crooks and sent them in the group chat at 5:38 p.m..
The law enforcement official suggested that Secret Service snipers be notified about the suspicious individual in the pictures after watching Crooks use a range finder.
“Kid learning around building we are in. AGR I believe it is,” the officer wrote. “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. Also a bike with backpack sitting next to it in rear of building that was not seen earlier.”
In another message, which was provided to The New York Times by Republican Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley’s office, an officer texted, “Call it in to command and have a uniform check it out.”
Pictures of the text messages were shared Sunday on social media by Collin Rugg, co-owner of Trending Politics.
The text messages showing that law enforcement was aware of Crooks way before Trump took the stage at his Pennsylvania rally have been met with disbelief and criticism on social media.
One social media user wrote, “They seem awfully calm and nonchalant about a person with a gun and range finder. Unbelievable.” Another tweeted, “Inside job. This cannot be more clear.” A third social media user said, “It was a SETUP from the beginning. No other explanation is possible.”
