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Text messages obtained by Fox News Digital reveal that law enforcement officers had flagged Thomas Matthew Crooks as suspicious at least 90 minutes before he opened fire on former President Donald Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on July 13, 2024. Despite being spotted and photographed using a range finder, Crooks was not approached by officers.
The texts were provided by Senator Chuck Grassley from Beaver County Emergency Services Unit and first reported by The New York Times. The communication shows officers noting Crooks’ unusual behavior and informing colleagues, yet failing to escalate the concern appropriately.
At 4:26 PM, a countersniper noticed Crooks loitering near their vehicles and sitting at a picnic table close to their position outside the rally’s fenced area. This observation was shared in a group chat, with photos of Crooks sent to other officers. One text message, sent at 5:38 PM, suggested notifying the Secret Service but it remains unclear if that step was ever taken.
According to The Guardian, Crooks had scouted the rally site a day before the Secret Service walkthrough on July 8. Despite this, the agency excluded the warehouse complex from its inner security perimeter, allowing Crooks to access the building on the rally day without passing through security screening.
During the rally, Crooks climbed onto a building near the stage and began firing at 6:11 PM, injuring Trump, killing one attendee, and injuring several others. He was killed by government snipers moments after the attack began.
ABC News reported that Beaver County SWAT sniper Gregory Nicol first noticed Crooks acting suspiciously around the AGR complex, noting his gray T-shirt and use of a range finder. Nicol’s warning to his team and command group was the first indication of Crooks’ presence.
In the aftermath of the assassination attempt, the Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned, and multiple investigations were launched to examine the communication and coordination lapses. Beaver County SWAT team members, including assistant leader Mike Priolo and team leader Jason Woods, expressed their frustration over the lack of communication with the Secret Service on the day of the rally.
The text messages and subsequent events highlight significant failures in communication and planning among various law enforcement agencies, leading to questions about how Crooks was able to come so close to executing his plan. As investigations continue, authorities aim to address these gaps to prevent such incidents in the future.