Fiona Nanna, ForeMedia News

7 minutes read. Updated 12:53PM GMT Wed, 24July, 2024

In a shocking revelation, bodycam footage has emerged showing US Secret Service and local law enforcement officers near the lifeless body of Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old gunman who attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump. This footage, which captures the grim aftermath of the incident, was released shortly after the resignation of US Secret Service director Kim Cheatle due to the security lapses surrounding the assassination attempt.

Chilling Details Unfold in New Footage

The newly surfaced bodycam video, recorded by Butler County Emergency Services Unit and posted on X by Republican Senator Chuck Grassley’s office, offers a detailed view of the chaotic scene. The footage shows a trail of blood leading to Crooks’ body, who managed to fire at Trump from a rooftop overlooking an outdoor rally in Pennsylvania 10 days ago.

Tragically, one audience member, 50-year-old Corey Comperatore, was killed in the attack. Two others, David Dutch and James Copenhaver, both 57, were severely injured but are currently in stable condition.

Law Enforcement’s Response Captured

In the video, a Secret Service agent can be heard identifying Crooks as the shooter, referencing images sent by a Beaver County sniper. “A Beaver County sniper seen and sent the pictures out, this is him,” the agent says. Another officer inquires about the photos, and the agent confirms, “I think I did, yeah, he’s [the shooter] got his glasses on.”

The footage also records discussions about an abandoned bike found nearby, which officers suspect might belong to Crooks, though this remains unconfirmed. Additionally, the video captures conversations about victims in the crowd and individuals detained for filming the incident.

Resignation and Calls for Investigation

The emergence of this footage has intensified scrutiny on the Secret Service’s handling of the event. Kim Cheatle, who was questioned by lawmakers about the security failures during a six-hour House of Representatives Oversight Committee hearing, ultimately resigned. In her resignation letter, Cheatle stated she took “full responsibility for the security lapses,” describing the shooting as “the most significant operational failure at the Secret Service in decades.”

Senator Grassley and other members of Congress are now demanding a comprehensive investigation into the incident to prevent such security breaches in the future.

Impact on Trump’s Rally

Witnesses reported seeing Crooks with a rifle on a rooftop moments before he opened fire. He was neutralized by a counter-sniper shortly after firing. Trump, who was injured in the right ear, later described feeling the bullet “ripping through the skin.” Blood was visible on his face as protection officers swiftly evacuated him from the scene.

The incident has raised serious concerns about the adequacy of security measures at high-profile political events, prompting a reevaluation of protocols to ensure the safety of public figures and attendees alike.