This diagram shows the positions of the shooter, former President Donald Trump, and law enforcement counter-snipers during the shooting at Trump's rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday. (AP Graphic)
Breaking: Shooter Spotted Up to 30 Min Before Firing, Reported Multiple Times, Pics Taken, No One Stopped Him - Report
A new development in the shooting of former President Donald Trump alleges law enforcement officials spotted the shooter almost 30 minutes prior to shots being fired.
Sources told local Pittsburgh news outlet WPXI that a member of Beaver County’s ESU team — which was helping Secret Service with security during the rally — noticed the shooter, later identified as Thomas Crooks, on the rooftop he later fired from at 5:45 p.m.
The member of the team then “called it in and took a picture” of Crooks.
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Even prior to 5:45 p.m., law enforcement officials had identified Crooks as a suspicious person, multiple sources reportedly told the outlet.
It was 26 minutes later that Trump was shot through the ear.
A Sunday report from the Associated Press also revealed that one local law enforcement official had climbed up onto the roof to confront Crooks moments before the shooting.
Crooks turned and pointed his rifle at the officer.
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The officer then fled off the roof back down the ladder he had climbed up.
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Moments later, Crooks “quickly took a shot toward Trump” before Secret Service snipers returned fire, killing him.
Though Trump was later revealed to be “fine,” one man — former fire chief Corey Comperatore — was killed.
Two others were critically wounded.
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Michael wrote for several entertainment news outlets before joining The Western Journal in 2020. He now serves as Managing Editor, which involves managing the editorial team and operations; helping guide the editorial direction of The Western Journal; and writing, editing, curating and assigning stories as needed.
Michael Austin graduated from Iowa State University in 2019. During his time in college, he volunteered for both PragerU and Live Action. After graduation, Michael went on to work as a freelance journalist for various entertainment news sites before joining The Western Journal as an intern in early 2020.
Shortly thereafter, Michael was hired on as a staff writer/reporter. He now serves as Managing Editor, which involves managing the editorial team and operations; helping guide the editorial direction of The Western Journal; and writing, editing, curating and assigning stories as needed.
Birthplace
Ames, Iowa
Nationality
American
Education
Iowa State University
Topics of Expertise
Cultural Politics, Entertainment News, Christian-Conservatism
