Fox News has released drone footage that offers a new perspective on the sight lines used by Thomas Matthew Crooks, the shooter at a rally attended by former President Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania. The footage provides insights into Crooks’ positioning relative to Trump and the Secret Service counter-sniper teams during the incident on Thursday.
Fox News correspondent CB Cotton explained that the drone recreation showed Crooks was largely concealed by a large tree, yet still had a clear angle on Trump. The Secret Service agent who neutralized Crooks was positioned on a building behind Trump and could only see part of Crooks’ body.
Bodycam footage from the day of the shooting highlights the initial confusion among Secret Service agents and local police. Officers can be seen around Crooks’ body on the roof, discussing the situation. Eight bullet casings were found around Crooks, consistent with FBI Director Christopher Wray’s testimony.
In addition to his rifle, Crooks had brought two explosive devices capable of remote detonation to the rally. The transmitter for these devices was found on Crooks’ body, and the explosives were located in his vehicle near the rally site.
FBI Director Wray updated lawmakers on the FBI’s investigation into the shooting during a House Judiciary Committee hearing. This was the third congressional hearing in three days concerning the attempted assassination of Trump. Former Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle testified before the House Oversight Committee earlier in the week and subsequently resigned. The House Homeland Security Committee also heard testimony from Pennsylvania State Police before Wray’s appearance.
Following these hearings, the House of Representatives voted unanimously to open a commission to investigate the shooting.
