BUTLER, Pa. (TND) — A new video has been released showing would-be Trump assassin Thomas Crooks strolling through the rally site in Butler, Pennsylvania, hours before opening fire on the former president.
The merchandise vendor who took the video told CNN he was watching footage of the rally when he noticed Crooks in one of the recordings.
“I couldn’t believe it,” said Joe Tomko. “I knew immediately that the video had to be given to the FBI first.”
In the video, Crooks is seen walking with other rally attendees, wearing a gray T-shirt and shorts, past booths selling Trump memorabilia. He appears to be unarmed and does not act suspiciously.
As the investigation continues, the US Secret Service’s handling of security for the rally is being reviewed.
The agency is under intense scrutiny after Crooks managed to get within 137 meters of Trump and fired several shots.
Crooks, who was spotted on the roof of the AGR complex, fired an estimated eight shots at the stage with an AR-15 rifle.
Acting U.S. Secret Service Agent Ronald Rowe said agents who violated policies during the shooting at the Trump rally would be “held accountable” and called the agency’s actions to prevent the tragedy a “failure.”
FBI Assistant Director Paul Abbate suggested a possible motive in July, saying investigators had discovered a social media account they believe was linked to the 20-year-old.
Crooks had over 700 comments from an account from 2019 and 2020 that reflected anti-Semitic and anti-immigrant themes.
Abbatté said the comments “advocate political violence and are described as extreme in nature.”
