Gunman Practiced Shooting Before Trump Attack

In a shocking revelation, records obtained by Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley indicate that Thomas Crooks, the man accused of attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump, frequented a rifle range extensively in the year leading up to the attack. Crooks visited the Clairton Sportsmen’s Club in Pennsylvania 43 times between August 2023 and July 2024, with a significant focus on shooting practice, spending 80 percent of his time at the range. Notably, he even visited the facility on Christmas Day, highlighting a period of intense preparation. On July 13, 2024, just hours before the assassination attempt, Crooks flew a drone over a location near where Trump was scheduled to speak. Minutes after Trump took the stage, Crooks opened fire with an AR-15 rifle. Grassley emphasized that these new details underscore Crooks' extensive preparation for the attack, raising concerns about the security measures in place during the event. The release of these records coincided with the first public airing of body cam footage from Butler County police, capturing the tense moments leading up to the shooting. In the footage, an officer recounts his encounter with Crooks, who was positioned on a roof, moments before the gunfire erupted. Local law enforcement expressed frustration over the lack of security presence, revealing that they had previously alerted the Secret Service about the need for officers near the building used by Crooks. Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe acknowledged the oversight, stating that a stronger security presence should have been implemented.