According to a preliminary report from a U.S. congressman’s investigation, the first shot fired at the man who targeted former President Donald Trump came from a local law enforcement officer.
On July 13, Thomas Crooks fired eight shots from a rooftop near the location where former President Trump was speaking in Butler County, Pennsylvania.
Rep. Clay Higgins (R-La.) reported that the next shot was fired by a SWAT operator from the Butler County Emergency Services Unit, who was approximately 100 yards away from the building where Crooks was stationed.
When the SWAT officer saw Crooks as a moving target on the rooftop, he quickly left his post and sprinted towards the man, “running to a clear shot position directly into the line of fire while Crooks was firing,” Higgins said.
“He stopped Crooks and importantly, I believe the shot damaged the buffer tube on Crooks’ AR,” Higgins added later, citing eyewitness testimony.
If the shot had damaged the buffer tube on Crooks’ rifle, it would have prevented him from firing any more rounds.
The SWAT officer reported that Crooks fell from his firing position but reappeared several seconds later.
According to Higgins, that’s when a shot from a U.S. Secret Service counter-sniper hit Crooks, killing him.
The Secret Service has confirmed that one of its counter-snipers was responsible for taking out Crooks.
Higgins, a member of the U.S. House of Representatives task force, visited Butler County to reconstruct Crooks’ climb onto the roof and assess what happened.
He said local officials assisted him in the investigation, including the commander of the Butler County Emergency Services Unit tactical team and a senior official from the Butler County District Attorney’s office.
Higgins mentioned that one of the theories he investigated was the possibility of another shooter positioned on top of a water tower overlooking the fairgrounds.
“There are videos on the internet showing a dark figure or a shadow on the water tower on J13. If there had been someone on that tower on J13, it would have to have been some top-shelf operator way beyond anything I’ve ever actually seen,” Higgins wrote. “Regular SWAT operators or snipers would not have the skills and gear to quickly overcome the first 25 feet of no ladder and then climb the remaining 75 feet to the catwalk, and then climb the quite intimidating and precarious dome vent access ladder.”
Higgins stated that he believes it was unlikely for a second shooter to have been on top of the tower and saw no evidence supporting that theory. He also confirmed that all 10 shots fired that day were accounted for eight from Crooks, one from a local SWAT officer, and one from the Secret Service.
Higgins said he plans to climb to the top of the tower in the future as part of his ongoing investigation into the shooting.
“As I have said, every question will be answered, every theory explored, and every doubt erased. The American people deserve the full truth on the attempted assassination of President Trump,” Higgins said in a statement. “Our investigative efforts are moving forward in good faith. The release of my preliminary investigative report is reflective of my desire to deliver transparency and reassurance to the American people.”
Higgins forwarded his findings to Rep. Mike Kelly (R-Pa.), who chairs the House task force.
The task force was established to issue subpoenas and investigate the shooting. It has been given a deadline of December 13 to deliver its final report.
Kelly and Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.), the committee’s leading Democrat, recently requested documents and information related to the attempted assassination from top federal officials, including U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
The lawmakers have not yet revealed what information they have received.
Share your thoughts by scrolling down to leave a comment.
