Bodycam footage from local police who interrupted a potential attack on former President Trump and a crowd of Pennsylvania political rally goers is set to be released. The incident occurred last month when Thomas Matthew Crooks was seconds away from opening fire.
The footage, scheduled for release later Thursday, is expected to show the moment an officer from the Butler Township Police Department climbed onto the roof where Crooks was stationed, just before he fired his DPMS AR-15 rifle, injuring several individuals.
Lt. Matthew Pearson of the Butler Township Police Department stated that the footage will offer a clearer view of the events leading up to the shooting. Another officer assisted in getting onto the roof of the building after reports of a suspicious individual with a gun.
As the officer approached Crooks, the latter pointed his firearm at the officer, causing the officer to fall to the ground and sprain his ankle. Crooks then proceeded to open fire, but the interruption likely saved Trump's life, according to Butler County Sheriff Michael Slupe.
Slupe emphasized the importance of timing and how the officers' intervention provided a crucial distraction, potentially preventing a more severe outcome. The incident has raised questions about security breaches and responsibilities among different agencies involved.
Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle faced criticism for lack of public briefings and subsequently resigned. Disputes between the Secret Service and local police have also emerged regarding accountability for the shooting.
Despite initial denials of a Freedom of Information Act request for bodycam footage and radio communications, the impending release of the footage signals a step towards transparency. The investigation is ongoing, and details about the day's events continue to unfold.
Butler County's decision to withhold certain information has added to the complexity of the situation, with radio communications between agencies being kept confidential for the time being.
