By Frank Kamuntu
Since the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, details have emerged about Thomas Matthew Crooks’ activities leading up to the attack.
The day before the incident, Crooks visited a local shooting club where he practiced on the rifle range, confirmed by counsel for the Clairton Sportsmen’s Club to ABC News.
According to law enforcement sources, the 20-year-old purchased ammunition both online and in-person shortly before the shooting. He had requested the day off from his job at a nursing home, stating he would return the following day.
On the day of the attempt, Crooks asked to borrow his father’s AR-15-style rifle, explaining he planned to visit a shooting range, which did not raise suspicions as his father had previously allowed him to use the gun for target practice.
Crooks then bought 50 rounds of 5.56 mm ammunition from a local gun shop and made a stop at Home Depot, purchasing a 5-foot ladder, though it was not found at the scene and is not believed to have been used to access the roof.
Crooks parked about a third of a mile away from the Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, at a gas station. Witnesses observed him walking around near the rally area for at least an hour before the shooting, captured on video by Pittsburgh ABC affiliate WTAE.
Law enforcement sources noted his presence near the magnetometers minutes before the shooting, with some witnesses reporting him as suspicious.
He eventually climbed onto the roof of a nearby building, using air conditioner units and then moving to a taller adjacent building. Just before opening fire, rally attendees spotted Crooks on the roof and tried to alert the Secret Service.
According to law enforcement officials in an unclassified briefing, Secret Service snipers identified Crooks as a person of interest 62 minutes before the shooting and first spotted him on the roof 20 minutes prior to the gunfire.
A Butler Township police officer attempted to intervene, climbing the roof to approach Crooks, who pointed his gun at the officer, causing a retreat, according to Butler County Sheriff Michael T. Slupe.
Crooks then fired shots toward Trump, who coincidentally turned to look at a Jumbotron, possibly avoiding harm.
A Secret Service sniper responded by fatally shooting Crooks in the head 26 seconds later, as reported by law enforcement officials.
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