The video shared by James Copenhaver, one of the victims critically wounded in the assassination attempt against former President Trump, shows a figure moving across a rooftop just before gunfire erupted at Trump’s rally in Butler, PA. The U.S. Secret Service and FBI are investigating the video to understand the events leading up to the incident.
The video was recorded at 6:08 p.m. on July 13, moments before the gunman, Thomas Crooks, opened fire at 6:11 p.m. The Secret Service is determined to uncover the details surrounding the assassination attempt to prevent such incidents in the future. The FBI is also aware of the video but has not provided further comments on the matter.
During the attempt, Crooks killed Corey Comperatore and critically wounded James Copenhaver and David Dutch. Fortunately, Trump escaped any serious injuries as a bullet grazed his ear when he turned to look at a projection screen. Law enforcement officials are piecing together a timeline of events to understand how Crooks managed to carry out the attack.
Text messages obtained through a public records request revealed that law enforcement was aware of a suspicious individual near the rally site before the shooting began. Photos of Crooks were taken around 4:36 p.m., indicating that authorities were monitoring his movements prior to the attack.
FBI officials stated that Crooks gained access to the rooftop by climbing HVAC equipment and piping, allowing him to find a strategic position to target the former president. Leading up to the shooting, Crooks researched previous assassination attempts, including Lee Harvey Oswald’s attack on President John F. Kennedy in 1963.
On the day of the rally, Crooks flew a drone near the rally site and spent about 70 minutes there in the morning. FBI Director Christopher Wray testified that Crooks had been present at the site for a significant amount of time before the attempt took place.
The investigation into the assassination attempt is ongoing, with authorities working diligently to uncover the motives and circumstances that led to the violent attack. The collaboration between the Secret Service, FBI, and other relevant agencies aims to ensure the safety of public figures and prevent similar incidents in the future.