Text messages from the time indicate authorities knew when Thomas Matthew Crooks, who shot at former President Donald Trump during a Pennsylvania campaign rally, was on his way there more than an hour and half before he opened fire.
The Beaver County Emergency Service Unit had records of the emergency service-unit text messages, which provided a more comprehensive timeline leading up to the incident.
The messages indicated that 20-year-old Crooks had knowledge of the law enforcement standing by as he plotted to assassinate Trump.
“Someone followed our lead and snuck in and parked by our cars just so you know,” a counter-sniper texted a colleague.
“I’m just letting you know because you see me go out with my rifle and put it in my car so he knows you guys are up there sitting to the direct right on a picnic table about 50 yards from the exit,” he wrote of the suspicious person.
Around 5:38 p.m., one of the counter-snipers sent pictures he had taken of Crooks to his group chat. The officer also texted that they should notify the Secret Service of such a suspicious person, saying he took exception to how far Crooks was with his range finder.
“Kid learning around the building we are in. AGR I believe it is,” the text reads. “I did see him with a range finder looking towards stage. FYI. If you wanna notify SS snipers to look out. I lost sight of him.”
According to another message provided by the office of Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), an officer texted, “Call it to command and have a uniform check it out.”
The photos showed up to the command center in a series of steps, and were shared with the Secret Service, according to The Post.
Another group message speculated Crooks had started to go back towards the rear of AGR buildings complex as he was attending the event around 6:00 p.m.
Per the Times, the messages indicate that authorities were aware of Crooks’ presence nearly 100 minutes before Cruz shot up the rally.
Lawmakers have raised questions about how Crooks obtained access to fire his weapon in the weeks following the shooting, leading critics to lambaste what they see as failures by the Secret Service.
Last week, Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned amid the outcry.
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