BETHEL PARK, Pa. – In a testimony before the House Committee on Homeland Security, Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner Christopher Paris disclosed that Thomas Matthew Crooks, the would-be assassin of former President Donald Trump, was not the only suspicious person identified at the Butler, Pennsylvania event on July 13.
When questioned by Rep. Andrew Garbarino, Paris confirmed that other suspicious individuals were noted by security at the rally. “No, he was not [the only one],” Paris stated, elaborating that at least two other suspicious individuals were identified and tracked by law enforcement that day.
Crooks, 20, was initially flagged for not progressing through the secure perimeter into the venue space. His behavior, combined with the possession of a rangefinder, raised significant alarm. Law enforcement first spotted Crooks around 5:10 p.m., and by 5:41 p.m., approximately 20 minutes before Trump was scheduled to speak, a sniper noticed Crooks using his phone and the rangefinder. This prompted a photo to be shared in the “Sniper Group” chat, which escalated his status to a “special individual” of interest.
The Secret Service identified Crooks on the roof of a building about 150 yards from the podium where Trump was set to address the crowd. An officer was initially assigned to monitor this rooftop but reportedly left their post due to the heat, as relayed by a whistleblower to Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley.
Less than 20 minutes after being spotted, Crooks fired a volley of shots from the roof. Despite the heightened suspicion around him, Paris noted there was no initial information suggesting Crooks was armed. He was also seen walking around without entering the venue, further arousing suspicion.
Paris provided additional context to the day’s events, highlighting that over 100 people required medical attention due to the heat, and there was a case of a missing six-year-old.
Fox News Digital reached out to local Butler law enforcement, the Secret Service, and Pennsylvania State Police for further details on any other suspicious individuals identified or detained at the rally, but has yet to receive a response.
