Haunting new photo shows Trump rally gunman on his phone moments before shooting as cop’s warning of ‘circus’ emerges
A HAUNTING new photo has shown the gunman who opened fire on Donald Trump at a campaign rally last month on his phone just minutes before the attack.
Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, fired bullets into the crowd in Butler, Pennsylvania, shortly after 6pm on July 13, grazing Trump's ear and bringing him a "quarter inch from death."
In the photo, Crooks can be seen perched on a wall in a grassy area, using his cell phone.
The shooter appears relaxed, just moments before he killed one person in the crowd and injured two others.
It is not clear from the image whether Crooks - who was shot dead by counter snipers after launching his attack from a nearby roof - was communicating with someone on the phone, or what he was looking at.
Despite an extensive investigation that resulted in Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigning, authorities have yet to determine Crooks’ motive or confirm whether he was truly acting alone.
Authorities also searched Crooks' phone, turning up nothing.
However, they confirmed his final internet searches before his death were for , according to .
While questions surrounding Crooks' final moments and motives remain in the air, other questions about the day have finally started to begin being answered.
Newly released records have shed light on the chaotic security planning ahead of the July 13 rally where questions about law enforcement's coordination with the Secret Service have since mounted.
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The documents, made public on Friday, reveal the behind-the-scenes tensions and decisions that preceded the tragic event.
"It's going to be a circus there," said Butler County Sheriff Michael Slupe in an email on July 5.
"Not enough room for the crowd that I believe will attend."
As the rally approached, Sgt. Edward Lenz of the Adams Township Police Department emailed Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger on July 9.
He explained that the US Secret Service had requested additional support from local law enforcement.
According to Lenz, the plan included deploying sniper elements, counterassault teams, and a quick reaction force to protect the former president from potential threats, whether from a single attacker or a coordinated assault.
Lenz described the upcoming rally as a "manpower-intensive" event, noting that the security operation would involve officers from nearby counties.
An internal "law enforcement walkthrough" was also scheduled for two days before the event.
But despite these preparations, the rally would end in tragedy when a lone gunman, Thomas Matthew Crooks, opened fire from the roof of a nearby industrial complex just outside the rally's perimeter.
The newly released records also reveal tensions between local and federal law enforcement in the aftermath of the shooting.
Internal text messages between local officials suggest that the Secret Service was attempting to shift blame onto local law enforcement.
"I see the Secret Service is throwing the locals under the bus," wrote an individual identified as "Mccune" in Goldinger's contact list.
Sheriff Slupe responded, "Yep."
They can't tell the truth right now. It will come out." Goldinger added,
"I've tried to defend them. I just don't have anything else I can say."
In the days leading up to the event, County Commissioner Kevin Boozel expressed concerns that providing law enforcement services without a contract could be challenged as a campaign expense.
This concern led to a heated exchange with fellow commissioner Leslie Osche following the assassination attempt.
Donald Trump Rally Shooting Timeline
Donald Trump was shot at during his Pennsylvania rally on July 13.
1pm: Doors open at the Butler Farm Show grounds where Trump was expected to speak at 5pm.
4:11pm: Sean Parnell gave the opening speech.
4:35pm: David McCormick rallied the crowd.
5:10pm: Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, later identified as the shooter, was first identified as a person of interest.
5:30pm: Crooks was spotted with a rangefinder.
5:30pm: Crowds were still waiting for Trump.
5:52pm: Crooks was spotted on the roof by Secret Service.
6:02pm: Trump takes the stage.
6:09pm: Two sniper teams posted on buildings to the north and south behind the rally stage repositioned and were locked on Crooks.
6:12pm: Gunshots were fired toward the stage as Trump delivered remarks.
6:12pm: Secret Service returns fire, confirming the shooter is dead.
6:12pm: Trump was ushered off stage by Secret Service agents.
6:42pm: Secret Service confirmed Trump is safe.
7:24pm: The shooter and one rally attendee are confirmed dead by law enforcement officials.
8:42pm: Trump confirms he was shot in the ear, sharing a statement on Truth Social.
8:49pm: The Secret Service confirms the shooter and a rally attendee are dead. Two others remain critically injured.
Boozel reached out to his colleagues to check on their well-being and informed them that the White House had offered assistance.
"How freakein dare you," Osche responded angrily.
"We were right behind the President. You who wanted a contract."
"Our people did well. You will burn in hell. We don't need their help," he said.
"I will fully expose you. I hope you can't sleep," Osche said.
Since the attempt on his life, Trump has been granted bulletproof glass and extra Secret Service detail at his rallies, which have been indoors since the attempted assassination.
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The Secret Service has been reportedly pulling agents from President Joe Biden's security detail and temporarily reassigning them to protect Trump at his rallies," according to the .
"The increased threat of violence against Trump, combined with Biden's recent reduced travel schedule, made the step both necessary and feasible," an anonymous Secret Service official told The New York Times of the unprecedented move.
