THIS is the shock moment Donald Trump’s supporters recorded would-be assassin Thomas Crooks bear climbing on the roof seconds before shooting.
The new clip shows rally-goers pointing out Crooks lying down on the roof as Donald Trump continues to speak at the rally.
A member of the public is seen talking to an officer before the shooting
Crooks was shot on the spot where he had shot at the president from
Donald Trump was shot in the ear by Thomas Crooks in a failed assassination attempt on Saturday
Secret Service officers with Crooks on the roof
Crooks can be seen shifting from lying on his side to lying on his front as he prepares to shoot at the former president.
Trump supporters near the buildings can be heard raising the alarm and shouting “he’s on the roof, he’s right there”.
Another person says: “Someone is on the roof, look.”
The clip comes with the caption: “Plenty of time and opportunity to eliminate the threat. WTF”
Other footage caught one rally-goer speaking to an officer just metres away from the roof where Thomas Crooks shot at the president from.
Gunman Crooks got into position after climbing a ladder and bear crawling across a roof to his vantage point.
The clip, taken seconds before the shooting and released by the BBC, shows one person talking to a police officer with the pair looking at the building that Crooks was on.
Several eyewitnesses at the rally said that they saw Crooks on the roof before the shooting.
Butler County Sheriff Michael Slupe confirmed that a local police officer did attempt to confront Crooks on the rooftop but he returned down the latter when the rifle was pointed on him.
Slupe said: “All I know is the officer had both hands on the roof to get up on the roof, never made it because the shooter had turned towards the officer, and rightfully and smartly, the officer let go.”
Crooks was able to get off between six and eight shots at the president, reports said, with one hitting him in the ear.
A police sniper then shot Crooks dead just moments after the wannabe assassin hit 45 in the ear.
Speaking to the BBC, eyewitness Greg said he saw a man crawling onto a nearby roof with a rifle as Trump spoke to supporters onstage at the Pennsylvania rally.
He said minutes later the man remained in prime position and fired a shocking five times before Secret Service agents “blew his head off”.
Gunman Crooks pictured at his high school graduation in 2022
Secret Service snipers hit the shooter immediately after he opened fire
Greg told the BBC he saw Crooks “bear-crawling up the roof of a building” just 50 feet away from the crowd.
“He had a rifle, we could clearly see him with a rifle,” he said.
“We’re pointing at him, the police are down there running around on the ground – we’re like ‘hey man there’s a guy on the roof with a rifle’ and the police did not know what was going on.”
Witnesses spoke to NBC about the lax of security at the event.
Two women watching the rally from a nearby property, Valerie Fennell and Deb Kuminkoski, said they watched from Valerie’s back garden.
Located between the Trump crowd and the factory where his shooter was perched, the bullets flew over Valerie and Deb’s heads.
What we know so far:
A shooter opened fire at a Donald Trump rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday, attempting to assassinate the former President
One audience member died and two others were critically injured as Trump was hit
Dramatic footage showed the moment Trump dived behind his podium as Secret Service rushed to protect him
Trump broke his silence with a statement describing the shooting after a bullet struck his ear
A hot microphone captured the moment Secret Service agents screamed “Get down!”
The shooter – identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks – was shot dead by Secret Service agents at the scene
A witness claims he warned police about a man with a rifle on a nearby roof minutes before the attack
President Joe Biden dubbed the shooting “sick,” and urged cool heads to prevail in a rare speech from inside the Oval Office
Valerie told the outlet her son watched the shooting unfold and saw snipers “get into position” after hearing the bullets.
But she said they didn’t see any security from their vantage point: “That I was aware of,” she said, “nothing was secured on this side”.
Fennell also expected security officials to contact her or survey her property – so close to the rally – ahead of the event.
She was surprised when they didn’t and said people were walking around within yards of Trump’s podium with no security nearby.
Fennell said there “might have been” two or three police cars, but didn’t see a big presence.
2024 hopeful Trump later said he felt a bullet rip through his skin as it pierced the upper part of his right ear.
He thanked law enforcement for their swift response to the gunfire, offering his condolences to the families of those affected.
Blood is smeared across Trump’s ear after the shooting
“I want to thank The United States Secret Service, and all of Law Enforcement for their rapid response on the shooting that just took place in Butler, Pennsylvania,” Trump wrote on Truth Social hours after the shooting.
“Most importantly, I want to extend my condolences to the family of the person at the Rally who was killed, and also to the family of another person that was badly injured.
“It is incredible that such an act can take place in our Country. Nothing is known at this time about the shooter, who is now dead.
“I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear. I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin.
“Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening. GOD BLESS AMERICA!”
LEADERS CONDEMN SHOOTING
Republican leaders and other prominent political figures have been quick to condemn the actions taken against Trump today.
Vice President Kamala Harris said she was “relieved” Trump was not more seriously injured.
“Violence such as this has no place in our nation,” she continued.
Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro said he was briefed about the incident and said, “Violence targeted at any political party or political leader is absolutely unacceptable.”
Israel’s President Netanyahu also spoke out about the situation, saying he is “shocked by the apparent attack on President Trump.”
“Praying for President Trump and everyone at the rally in Pennsylvania. May God watch over them all,” Senator Tim Scott posted on X.
“Karen and I are praying for President Trump and urge every American to join us,” former vice president Mike Pence wrote.
“Laura and I are grateful that President Trump is safe following the cowardly attack on his life,” former president George W. Bush said in a statement.
“And we commend the men and women of the Secret Service for their speedy response.”
Donald Trump Rally Shooting Timeline
Donald Trump was shot at his Pennsylvania rally on July 13.
1pm: Doors open at the Butler Farm Show grounds where Trump was expected to speak at 5pm.
4:11pm: Sean Parnell gave the opening speech.
4:35pm: David McCormick rallied the crowd.
5:30pm: Crowds were still waiting for Trump.
6:03pm: Trump takes the stage.
6:11pm: Gunshots were fired as Trump delivered remarks.
6:12pm: Trump was ushered off stage by Secret Service agents.
6:42pm: Secret Service confirmed Trump is safe.
7:24pm: The shooter and one rally attendee are confirmed dead by law enforcement officials.
8:42pm: Trump confirms he was shot in the ear, sharing a statement on Truth Social.
8:49pm: The Secret Service confirms the shooter and a rally attendee are dead. Two others remain critically injured.
APThe rally site was littered with rubbish after attendees fled the scene[/caption]
GettySecurity scrambled to protect the president as shots rang out[/caption]