Butler, Pennsylvania – The man who plotted to assassinate former President Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, killing one of his supporters, had been scouting the site of the July 13 rally while local police officers were in position.
A detailed timeline and accompanying text messages obtained by Fox News Digital Senator Chuck GrassleyRepublican police officers, who received information from the Beaver County Emergency Services Unit (ESU) in Iowa, provided additional details about how suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks successfully set up and fired an AR-style rifle.
According to a timeline released by Beaver County ESU, local police officers arrived at the location at 10:15 a.m. on Saturday, July 13, and local snipers were in position by 10:30 a.m.
Beaver County ESU imagery showed the shooter was positioned between buildings at the Butler Farm Show grounds.
Trump shooting: A timeline of the assassination attempt
A photo of Thomas Matthew Crooks distributed by local police on the day of the shooting on July 13, 2024. (Source: Fox News Digital)
A map detailing points of interest related to the investigation into the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump by Thomas Crooks on Saturday, July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pennsylvania. (Courtesy of Senator Chuck Grassley)
Details regarding Crooks’ whereabouts prior to the shooting have emerged, revealing that the 20-year-old was investigating the scene at the same time that local police officers and a local sniper were taking up position.
The FBI previously said Crooks drove to the rally at 11 a.m. on July 13, stayed there for an hour before returning home.
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Snipers from Beaver or Butler counties are expected to be deployed at former President Donald Trump’s rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on July 13, 2024. The former president was shot during an assassination attempt at the rally. (Courtesy of Senator Chuck Grassley)
Crooks did not return to the scene until 3:50 p.m., and local police officers at the designated location first spotted him at about 5:10 p.m., about 50 minutes before Trump took the stage, according to documents provided by Sen. Grassley’s office.
After returning to the rally, Crooks flew the drone about 200 yards from where Trump was scheduled to speak, the FBI said.
The FBI later announced that no photos or videos were taken from the drone, and no memory cards were found inside the drone.
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Photo evidence shows the bicycle and backpack left behind by Thomas Crooks before the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump on Saturday, July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pennsylvania. (Courtesy of Senator Chuck Grassley)
At 5:30 p.m., local police took a photograph of Crooks and reported it to headquarters.
“Kid walking around the building we’re in,” the officer wrote in a text message along with a photo of Crooks. “I think it’s AGR. Saw him with a rangefinder looking towards the stage. FYI. If you want to let SS snipers know to be on the lookout.”
Trump assassination attempt: Texts show officers knew about Thomas Crooks 90 minutes before shooting
“I lost sight of him,” the officer added.
Text messages revealed that police had been circulating a photo of Thomas Matthew Crooks. (Fox News)
The next message said: “Notify command and have a uniformed officer check in.”
By 6:12 pm, “The Kid” was killed by a counter-sniper. After he fired To the rally participants.
Trump was shot in the ear and three other rally attendees were also shot. Including Corey ComperatoreThe 50-year-old lost his life protecting his family from danger.
James Copenhaver and David Duch were shot and wounded by Thomas Matthew Crooks at the July 13 rally. (Allegheny Health Network)
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David Duch and James Copenhaver were shot and injured at the rally and have since returned home.
