Bodycam footage released by the Butler Township Police Department sheds new light on the chaotic response to the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump in July. The videos reveal moments of frustration, confusion, and miscommunication before and after the incident.
The footage shows a local officer notifying the Secret Service in advance to secure the building from which the attacker, Thomas Crooks, later fired at Trump during a rally on July 13. The officer expresses frustration, revealing that he had requested the Secret Service to post guards at the building days before the event.
Thomas Crooks, 20, was fatally shot by a Secret Service sniper after firing eight rounds at Trump from a rooftop outside the rally’s security perimeter. The shooting resulted in one fatality, two severe injuries, and a bullet grazing Trump’s ear.
The videos capture the tense moments as the officer is lifted onto a rooftop and spots the gunman just before he opens fire. The attack took place within a secondary ring of security, patrolled by local and state officers, rather than the Secret Service.
In response to the incident, the Secret Service spokesperson, Anthony Guglielmi, stated that the agency is reviewing and updating its protective policies to prevent such tragedies in the future. The FBI and a bipartisan House panel are also investigating the assassination attempt.
The newly released footage provides a detailed account of the events leading up to and following the attempted assassination, highlighting the challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in ensuring the safety of high-profile political figures.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing threats to the security of public officials and the need for continuous vigilance and cooperation among law enforcement agencies to prevent similar acts of violence in the future.
