Text messages and radio chatter released by Sen. Chuck Grassley’s office on Monday have unveiled alarming details about the moments leading up to the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump on July 13. According to these documents, law enforcement officers lost track of the shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, just 15 minutes before the attack, raising serious questions about the security protocols in place during the rally.
The newly released documents include text messages and radio communications that show law enforcement was aware of Crooks’ presence at the rally more than 90 minutes before he climbed onto a roof and fired eight rounds at Trump.
At 5:14 p.m., an officer took photos of Crooks, who was observed sitting outside the event. Twenty minutes later, these images were shared in a group chat with a message noting Crooks’ suspicious behavior. “Kid learning around building we are in,” the text reads. “I did see him with a range finder looking towards stage. FYI. If you wanna notify SS snipers to look out. I lost sight of him.”
Despite this early warning, confusion prevailed. By 5:38 p.m., a Beaver County sniper had shared photos of Crooks with several sniper teams, highlighting that Crooks was using a range finder aimed at the stage. The message recommended that Secret Service snipers be alerted to the potential threat.
However, the situation deteriorated further. At 5:49 p.m., an officer reported losing track of Crooks’ location. “They are asking for a direction of travel,” the officer wrote, referring to the command center’s request for information. The response came just a minute later: “Not sure. He was up against the building. If I had to guess towards the back. Away from the event.”
The confusion continued as the timeline of communications revealed gaps in information flow. The Beaver County Emergency Services Unit’s after-action report, which contains redacted entries, indicates that crucial updates on Crooks’ movements were not effectively communicated up the chain of command.
The texts reveal a troubling breakdown in security measures. Despite knowing about Crooks’ suspicious behavior and having photographic evidence, law enforcement’s failure to maintain continuous tracking allowed Crooks to get into a position from which he could launch the attack on Trump. The decision to proceed with the rally and allow Trump to take the stage under these compromised security conditions has been heavily criticized.
This new information raises significant questions about the coordination and effectiveness of security protocols during high-profile events.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login