New Video Emerges of Thomas Crooks Before Trump Rally Shooting

Newly released video footage captures Thomas Matthew Crooks walking near vendor tents at a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, just under two hours before he opened fire on July 13. The four-second clip, recorded by merchandise vendor Joe Tomko at 4:26 p.m., shows Crooks casually mingling with other attendees. This timestamp places him approximately half a mile from the American Glass Research (AGR) building, where he later positioned himself to shoot at former President Donald Trump. The video is significant as it provides a clearer visual of Crooks, who was later identified as the shooter, wearing a grey T-shirt and shorts. It is the earliest known footage of him at the rally, contrasting with previously released grainy images. Local law enforcement first reported seeing Crooks at around the same time the video was filmed, but the footage indicates he was in a different location, raising questions about the coordination among law enforcement agencies. FBI Director Christopher Wray testified that Crooks had flown a drone near the rally site earlier that day, potentially using it to scout the area. The drone was later found in Crooks' vehicle, suggesting premeditation. The video’s release has prompted scrutiny over the response of law enforcement, particularly after a local SWAT officer noted Crooks' suspicious behavior shortly before the shooting, leading to a chaotic search that highlighted communication failures among agencies. Tomko, who shared the video with the FBI after discovering Crooks in his footage, expressed disbelief at the implications of what he recorded. The FBI has not commented on the video, which has since been shared on social media, further fueling discussions about security lapses during the rally.