New Bodycam Footage Reveals The Terrifying Moment a Police Officer Encountered Trump Shooter Just Before Assassination Attempt
In stunning and harrowing new developments, bodycam footage has been made public, showcasing the chilling moment a law enforcement official encountered a would-be assassin just mere moments prior to an assassination attempt on former President Donald J. Trump. The assassination attempt occurred at a rally held by Trump on July 13, in Butler, Pennsylvania, with the footage hinting at just how close the nation came to witnessing a dark chapter in its history.
The Moment Of Encounter
The released footage, obtained following a public records request, shows a police officer being lifted to the surface of a rooftop from where the shots were eventually fired. After catching sight of the gunman, later identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, the officer immediately drops back down and seeks cover. A mere 40 seconds later, Crooks unleashed a volley of eight shots aimed at Trump, hitting the former president in the ear before being incapacitated by a swift response from a Secret Service sniper.
The video showcases the raw and visceral reactions of the law enforcement officers caught in the midst of the event. One of the officers is heard saying, “F**king this close, bro” – a chilling indication of how close he came to the dangerous shooter. There were also frantic queries over radio requesting information on the shooter’s location.
A Warning Ignored?
Adding controversy to this already disquieting event was the revelation that local law enforcement had previously alerted the Secret Service to post their men near the building days before the rally. This information comes from a separate piece of footage which shows an agitated police officer expressing deep frustration at the fact that prior warnings were apparently not heeded.
Officers expressed they had voiced concerns to the Secret Service on posting guards at the precise location from where the shots were fired on the day of the rally. In the aftermath of the shooting, a heated exchange between two officers showed frustration regarding the situation and appeared to hold the Secret Service accountable for not deploying personnel in what was seen as a critical and vulnerable area. One officer is heard saying, “I f**king told them they need to post the guys f**king over here.”
Scrutinizing Shooter’s Preparations
As investigations continue, and in the wake of released bodycam footage, further details have begun emerging regarding the shooter’s preparation for the attempted assassination. Documents released show Crooks was an active member of a local gun club, frequently visiting the rifle range times after becoming a member. Significantly, these visits ramped up in frequency in the months leading up to the rally. This paints a chilling picture of an intricate plan for harm that was many months in the making.
A Failure to Protect
The U.S. Secret Service has since released a statement in response to the footage, accepting the incident as a failure on their part. They have expressed appreciation for their local law enforcement partners and have assured that they are currently reviewing their protective policies in an earnest effort to ensure a tragedy like this is not repeated in the future.
This incident, while momentous in its implications, serves as a harsh reminder that the safety and security of figures of authority are paramount, and any threat – no matter how minute – should be taken with the utmost gravity.
