The country is reeling from the worst attack on a president in decades. But now this completely breaks the case wide open.
And shocking footage of Trump assassination gets released and cracks the case wide open.
Bodycam footage from local police who bravely intervened just moments before Thomas Matthew Crooks attempted to assassinate former President Trump at a Pennsylvania rally last month is set to be released, according to Fox News Digital.
The footage, expected to drop on Thursday, will reportedly capture the intense moment when a Butler Township Police Department officer scaled the roof where Crooks was positioned.
Just seconds later, Crooks opened fire with his DPMS AR-15 rifle, narrowly grazing Trump in the ear, tragically killing Corey Comperatore, and injuring two others.
Lt. Matthew Pearson, the acting chief of the Butler Township Police Department, confirmed to Fox News Digital that the footage is being prepped for public release. It promises to shed light on the tense seconds leading up to the July 13 shooting.
In a courageous act, another officer hoisted his colleague onto the roof of the American Glass Research (AGR) building after alert rally attendees pointed out a suspicious figure with a gun.
The officer managed to grab the edge of the roof, about 12 feet off the ground, before spotting Crooks, who was armed and dangerous.
As Crooks aimed his weapon at the officer, the officer quickly ducked his head, losing his grip and falling eight feet to the ground, spraining his ankle in the process. The township manager, Thomas Knights, explained that the officer was unable to draw his weapon since he was hanging from the building.
Seconds later, Crooks unleashed his attack.
Butler County Sheriff Michael Slupe later told the New York Post that the officers’ quick actions likely saved Trump’s life.
“If I’m interrupted, and I move my gun, you are going to have to reassess that whole situation at this point, so yes, you can make a case that those two officers saved the president’s life,” Slupe stated.
The sheriff emphasized the critical timing, noting that the distraction gave Trump just enough time to turn his head, causing the bullet to strike only his ear. “Can you imagine 10 seconds before that?” Slupe asked, pointing out that the outcome could have been far more tragic.
Details about the events that day and the security failures that allowed the shooting to happen have been clouded by blame-shifting among the various agencies involved, from local police to state and federal authorities.
Then-Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle faced heavy criticism for her lack of transparency and eventually resigned from her position.
A public dispute has erupted between the Secret Service and local law enforcement over who is primarily responsible for the security lapses.
The release of the bodycam footage comes after Butler County denied a Fox News Freedom of Information Act request for the footage and radio communications from the Butler County Sheriff’s Office.
The county claimed that “helmet and body camera footage from all the Butler County officers working physically on site” was not in their possession, custody, or control, and denied the request as allowed by Section 705 of the Right-to-Know Law.
Radio communications between the involved agencies are also being withheld while the investigation continues.
Stay tuned to the DC Daily Journal.
