Trump Rally Attendees Heroically Alert Law Enforcement to Potential Shooter on Roof, Averted Assassination

Quick-thinking Trump rally attendees played a crucial role in averting a potential assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump in Butler, PA, by alerting law enforcement to the presence of a suspicious individual on a nearby roof minutes before he fired.

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Trump Rally Attendees Heroically Alert Law Enforcement to Potential Shooter on Roof, Averted Assassination

Amidst the enthusiastic crowd at a Trump rally in Butler, PA, on Saturday, July 13, 2024, a horrifying incident unfolded. As former President Donald Trump delivered his speech, attendees noticed a man, later identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, stealthily crawling across a roof with what appeared to be a gun.

Panic ensued as Trump supporters frantically pointed and shouted at Crooks, trying to alert law enforcement and security personnel. Cellphone footage captured by a rallygoer shows attendees indicating Crooks' position and exclaiming, "He's on the roof! Right here!"

Trump Rally Attendees Heroically Alert Law Enforcement to Potential Shooter on Roof, Averted Assassination

With heightened urgency, attendees continued to yell, "Look, they're all pointing," as they directed the authorities' attention to Crooks' suspicious behavior. The video footage reveals that attendees signaled the shooter's presence 86 seconds before he fired.

The attendees' quick thinking and vigilance proved invaluable in alerting authorities to the imminent threat. As Crooks crawled across the roof, counter sniper teams, including two from the Secret Service and two from local law enforcement, were stationed nearby.

Trump Rally Attendees Heroically Alert Law Enforcement to Potential Shooter on Roof, Averted Assassination

One of the snipers observed Crooks outside the building observing the roof and later returning to the building, where he was seen looking through a rangefinder minutes before the assassination attempt. The sniper promptly took a picture of Crooks and radioed a command post, attempting to send the photo up the chain of command before Crooks fired.

Despite the heroic efforts of the rally attendees and the quick response of the snipers, tragedy struck when Crooks fired several rounds at the stage where Trump was speaking. Fortunately, Trump survived the assassination attempt with only minor injuries.

Trump Rally Attendees Heroically Alert Law Enforcement to Potential Shooter on Roof, Averted Assassination

Investigators discovered numerous firearms inside Crooks' family home, including an AR rifle that belonged to his father. The rifle used in the shooting was purchased legally, leading to speculation that it may have been obtained from his father.

Officials have emphasized that Crooks acted alone in his attempt to assassinate Trump but are continuing their investigation to establish his motive. Classmates of Crooks at Bethel Park High School described him as a quiet loner who was bullied.

Trump Rally Attendees Heroically Alert Law Enforcement to Potential Shooter on Roof, Averted Assassination

The heroic actions of the Trump rally attendees in Butler, PA, exemplify the importance of public vigilance in preventing potential tragedies. Their quick thinking and determination to alert authorities played a crucial role in averting a potentially deadly assassination attempt.