A view to a kill. Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons, with apologies to Ian Fleming.
Recently there’s been a lot of talk of how the Secret Service screwed up former President Trump’s security detail at his Butler rally on July 13th, but I’d like to step in and give credit where credit is due to the extraordinary actions of the Secret Service counter-sniper teams that day.
Sources familiar with the event have reported to Fox News that the Secret Service sniper had an obscured view. It was reported that the sniper could only see Crook’s scope and part of his eye and forehead when he took the fatal shot. Crooks had positioned himself behind the peak of the roof and was, therefore, more difficult to see.
A marksman from a local police unit fired off a shoot at Crooks as well and missed.
One of these two men eliminated the threat on a pitched roof no less. It was not as easy a shot as one may think. Image: KIMT3 News
At least this matter will be examined in a timely manner. A hearing, the “Oversight of the US Secret Service and the Attempted Assassination of President Donald J. Trump” will be held beginning 10:00 AM EDT on Capitol Hill. It is being conducted by the House Committee On Oversight and Accountability and Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle is the guest of honor.
Thomas Matthew Crook is photographed where he killed one rally-goer, critically injured two others and nearly assassinated the former President of the United States. Image Credit: TMZ
Why Did He Do It?
Investigative Revelations
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has been diligently piecing together Crooks’ life and motives. Notably, Crooks had a rather unassuming background. He was a registered Republican and had only voted once, in the 2022 midterm elections. Interestingly, his high school classmates described him as a “normal” and “shy” individual, with some recalling his conservative leanings.
Further investigation into Crooks’ digital footprint revealed troubling signs. He had conducted online searches related to mass shooters, including the notorious Ethan Crumbley (the teenager who killed four classmates and wounded six others in 2021 at Oxford High School), and explored topics on major depressive disorders. Additionally, Crooks had downloaded images of Trump and Biden, as well as other high-ranking government officials, indicating a possible deep-seated political fixation. He had thoroughly researched the upcoming Democratic National Convention.
Recently there’s been a lot of talk of how the Secret Service screwed up former President Trump’s security detail at his Butler rally on July 13th, but I’d like to step in and give credit where credit is due to the extraordinary actions of the Secret Service counter-sniper teams that day.
Sources familiar with the event have reported to Fox News that the Secret Service sniper had an obscured view. It was reported that the sniper could only see Crook’s scope and part of his eye and forehead when he took the fatal shot. Crooks had positioned himself behind the peak of the roof and was, therefore, more difficult to see.
A marksman from a local police unit fired off a shoot at Crooks as well and missed.
One of these two men eliminated the threat on a pitched roof no less. It was not as easy a shot as one may think. Image: KIMT3 News
At least this matter will be examined in a timely manner. A hearing, the “Oversight of the US Secret Service and the Attempted Assassination of President Donald J. Trump” will be held beginning 10:00 AM EDT on Capitol Hill. It is being conducted by the House Committee On Oversight and Accountability and Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle is the guest of honor.
Thomas Matthew Crook is photographed where he killed one rally-goer, critically injured two others and nearly assassinated the former President of the United States. Image Credit: TMZ
Why Did He Do It?
Investigative Revelations
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has been diligently piecing together Crooks’ life and motives. Notably, Crooks had a rather unassuming background. He was a registered Republican and had only voted once, in the 2022 midterm elections. Interestingly, his high school classmates described him as a “normal” and “shy” individual, with some recalling his conservative leanings.
Further investigation into Crooks’ digital footprint revealed troubling signs. He had conducted online searches related to mass shooters, including the notorious Ethan Crumbley (the teenager who killed four classmates and wounded six others in 2021 at Oxford High School), and explored topics on major depressive disorders. Additionally, Crooks had downloaded images of Trump and Biden, as well as other high-ranking government officials, indicating a possible deep-seated political fixation. He had thoroughly researched the upcoming Democratic National Convention.
As of this writing, law enforcement is still trying to decrypt information shared on three foreign encrypted platforms with the hopes that data found there will shed some light on the shooter’s possible motives.
Inside Crook’s car, parked near the scene, investigators found a ballistic vest, four magazines of 5.56 ammunition, a drone, a second cellphone, and two explosive devices.
Unraveling Motives
While Crooks’ precise motives remain unclear, some evidence points to a mix of political radicalization and personal turmoil. The explosives found in his vehicle suggest a premeditated plan to cause mass casualties. Despite his political affiliation as a Republican, Crooks’ actions starkly contradicted his declared ideology, highlighting the complexity of his motivations. He was an enigma that has yet to be unraveled.
Community and Family Impact
The revelation of Crooks as the would-be assassin has left his family and community in shock. Law enforcement officials found evidence that Crooks’ parents were concerned about him and tried numerous times to reach him on the day of the rally. They went as far as contacting local law enforcement about their concerns.
His family is reportedly struggling to comprehend the drastic actions of a young man they knew as quiet and reserved. The incident has also stirred a broader conversation about the mental health and radicalization of young individuals in the United States.
Conclusion
The attempted assassination of Donald Trump by Thomas Matthew Crooks underscores the volatile intersection of political extremism and possible mental health issues. As investigations continue, the incident serves as a grim reminder of the persistent threats faced by public figures, the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to address the root causes of such violent acts, and the need to have appropriate levels of protection for our elected officials.
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