That was in high time "US Secret Service boss resigns over Trump shooting failures" Total failure! https://t.co/uKNppvtisQ
— Espen Gaarder Haug (@EGHaug) July 23, 2024
The newly released bodycam footage from the scene of the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump reveals confusion and miscommunication among law enforcement agencies in the critical moments leading up to the shooting. The video, posted online by Senator Chuck Grassley, captures officers discussing how they initially spotted the gunman, Thomas Matthew Crooks, but then lost sight of him. In the footage, an officer can be heard telling a Secret Service agent, “Beaver County sniper seen and sent the pictures out.
This is him,” while pointing to a rifle left at the scene.
Great 3D reconstruction that helps answers some questions, with the help from some new drone footage, regarding the Trump shooting.
What could the Secret Service see? What did the SWAT team stationed inside a warehouse see? What did the shooter see?https://t.co/DOR5P78T70
— Aric Toler (@AricToler) July 23, 2024
The officer explains that the sniper who first identified Crooks saw him approach on a bike, set down a bag, and then disappeared from view. Throughout the video, officers and agents discuss their observations and the perplexing series of events.
CBS News video analysis shows that one of the rally attendees, David Dutch, fell to the floor of the bleachers after the 2nd gunshot. James Copenhaver fell to the ground as the 4th-8th shots were fired, indicating all 8 shots were fired into the crowd. https://t.co/IwnZezFMrq
— Joanne Stocker (@joanne_stocker) July 24, 2024
Confusion during Trump assassination attempt
At one point, a Secret Service agent asks about a detained individual, and an officer responds that two people were taken into custody. Further adding to the confusion, the agent is told by a colleague that a detained person is the owner of the bike, mistakenly pointing to Crooks’ body.
The assassination attempt has led to intense scrutiny of the security measures in place during the rally.
🚨BREAKING: Newly released video of the assassination attempt on Donald Trump shows bystanders shouting “he’s got a gun on the roof” and shooter Thomas Matthew Crooks pointing his gun at the crowd. pic.twitter.com/49zse4RGWI
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) July 24, 2024
The apparent lack of coordination and communication between agencies, as evidenced by the bodycam footage, has become a focal point of the ongoing investigation. The controversy surrounding the incident has also resulted in the resignation of Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle, who faced mounting criticism over the security breaches that allowed Crooks to position himself with a clear shot of the former president.
As authorities continue to piece together the events leading up to the shooting, the investigation into the security lapses and the coordination among various law enforcement groups remains a developing story.
