Staff Sergeant David Bellavia, a guest on ‘Fox & Friends’, shared his perspective on the assassination attempt at the Butler rally while the Republican National Convention continues with its focus on making America ‘Strong Once Again’.
A chilling photo has surfaced, revealing a cellphone and remote transmitter that belonged to Thomas Matthew Crooks. These items were found near his lifeless body after his failed attempt to assassinate former President Trump. The gray, 12-button remote and smartphone were discovered on the roof of a building in Butler, Pennsylvania, which Crooks had used as a sniper’s perch.
Following his shot at Trump’s ear and the fatal shooting of an innocent rally-goer, a Secret Service team swiftly neutralized Crooks. Although the remote is believed to have been connected to an explosive device inside Crooks’ car, it failed to detonate. Investigators are now looking into whether the device was intended for damaging the site or creating a diversion during the assassination attempt.
Local police had taken pictures of Crooks approximately 30 minutes before the incident, during which he had aroused suspicion after passing through security with a rangefinder – a device commonly used by target shooters and hunters to determine the distance of long-range shots.
Around 5:45 p.m., officers spotted Crooks on the roof, took his picture, and alerted their colleagues. Soon after, an officer confronted Crooks directly, but the would-be assassin pointed his AR-style rifle at the officer and fell from the rooftop. Crooks’ shots narrowly missed Trump’s head, grazing his ear, while another bullet tragically took the life of volunteer firefighter Corey Comperatore, who had attended the rally with his wife and children.
It was later revealed that Crooks had climbed onto the building by stepping on an air conditioning unit. Prior to the incident, he had informed his boss at Bethel Park Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center that he needed the day off because he had “something to do.” However, Crooks was taken down by Secret Service snipers after firing at Trump.
Critics have voiced their concerns over the lack of Secret Service personnel on top of the building where Crooks had positioned himself. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle explained that the roof was unoccupied due to its steepness.
