Text messages obtained by Fox News Digital from Senator Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, reveal that law enforcement officials monitoring former President Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania flagged a suspicious individual at least 90 minutes before he opened fire. These messages were initially reported by The New York Times.
Early Warnings Ignored
The text messages from the Beaver County Emergency Services Unit show that officers identified 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks as a potential threat after spotting him using a range finder. Despite flagging him as suspicious, the officers did not approach Crooks.
In a group chat around 4:36 p.m., an officer ending his shift warned his colleagues that a man, later identified as Crooks, had parked near their vehicles. “Someone followed our lead and snuck in and parked by our cars so that you know,” the officer texted.
Suspicious Activity
Approximately 45 minutes later, at 5:10 p.m., officers noted that Crooks had moved and positioned himself near the American Glass International (AGR) building. Crooks later perched himself atop the AGR building, preparing to target the rally.
An officer snapped a picture of Crooks leaning against the AGR building, identifiable by his greasy shoulder-length hair and a gray t-shirt. The officer texted, “Kid leaning around the building we are in. AGR I believe it is. I did see him with a range finder looking towards the stage. FYI. If you wanna notify SS snipers to look out.” The officer then added, “I lost sight of him,” followed by a message to “call it in to command and have a uniform check it out.”
Escalation to Violence
Despite these warnings, Crooks managed to position himself and open fire approximately 90 minutes after being first flagged. By 6:11 p.m., Crooks had been neutralized by a counter-sniper after he began shooting at the rallygoers.
Former President Trump was grazed by a bullet on his ear, while three attendees were also shot. Tragically, 50-year-old Corey Comperatore was killed while protecting his family. David Dutch and James Copenhaver were injured; Dutch was discharged from the hospital on Wednesday, July 24, and Copenhaver was released on Friday.
Conclusion
The text messages underscore a significant lapse in responding to the early warnings about Crooks’ suspicious behavior. The failure to approach or apprehend Crooks despite multiple alerts raises questions about the protocols and effectiveness of the security measures in place at the rally. As investigations continue, these revelations highlight the need for improved communication and decisive action in potential threat situations to prevent such tragedies in the future.