The attempted assassination on Saturday of the former president Donald Trump has revealed a potentially explosive new development. Fox News reported that Thomas Matthew Crooks’ parents were “looking” for him and alerted law enforcement that he had gone missing.
Fox News learned that Thomas Matthew Crooks’ parents searched for him Saturday morning in the hours before the Trump rally and called police to let them know he was missing. They were concerned.
The call was made on Saturday before Crooks opened fire on Trump at the Butler, Pennsylvania rally.
Fox News also reported that the parents were cooperating with the authorities, and the FBI was still trying to figure out the motive of the attack.
WTH is this about pic.twitter.com/lR6ypitfqo
— Karli Bonne’ 🇺🇸 (@KarluskaP) July 17, 2024
It is just the latest of several events since the almost successful assassination that have raised questions about the lack of security and warnings that law enforcement provided in what was a preventable shooting that took the life of a hero, Corey Comperatore who shielded the family from the gunfire.
Crooks’ assassination at the Trump rally was meticulously planned, according to other reports. Sources in law enforcement revealed that Crooks was spotted by passersby acting suspiciously near the venue of the rally before Trump appeared. He also bought ammunition and a stepladder from Home Depot. This suggests that he had planned.
Bill Gage, retired Secret Service agent and consultant with Safehaven Security Group told Fox News Digital: “He knew there were elevated places there, such as those buildings in the distance. He would have needed a ladder to get there.” The purchase of the ladder indicates that he had some planning in advance.
Gage explained that it was now clear the gunman had scouted the target before the incident. “[Arthur] Bremer [Lee Harvey] Oswald and [John] Hinckley all scouted beforehand.”
Crooks knew that he would need a rifle and not a pistol. The killer packed explosives into his car. Gage says he also had body armor with him, but he did not wear it when he climbed to the roof. This was likely done to avoid detection.
Crooks did not use the ladder. ABC News earlier reported that he climbed an air conditioner to reach the roof.
He added, “But purchasing a ladder tells a lot.” He scouted the area sometime between the announcement and Trump’s appearance.
David Katz, a former DEA agent and federal firearms trainer who is now CEO of Global Security Group said that the rangefinder Crooks carried was also a sign of his preparations ahead of time.
He told Fox News Digital: “That shows me that this kid was not only practicing but also aware of the correct way to sight in his rifle for that distance and angle.” It tells you how far away your target is, as well as the angle of the gun. You just dial it in.
