New video of Thomas Crooks appears to show him hours before Trump was shot

In a chilling development, newly emerged footage appears to show Thomas Matthew Crooks, former President Donald Trump's would-be assassin, wandering the rally site in Butler, Pennsylvania, just hours before his fatal attack on July 13, 2024.

The video, which surfaced on social media platforms, was reportedly shot by a small business owner who was selling patriotic hats at the event. The merchant, whose identity is unknown, made the surprising discovery while looking through his footage from that fateful day.

The TikTok video, which has since gone viral, has the ominous caption: “Cringe-worthy moment…Rewatching my videos from the PA Butler Trump rally on 7/13/24…we were just there to sell our patriotic hats…”

The footage then switches to a slow-motion clip of a man believed to be Crooks, with the text overlaid: “At 4:26 p.m., prior to the assassination attempt, video was recorded of Thomas Matthews Crooks.”

The incident, which left bystander Corey Comperatore dead and David Dutch and James Copenhaver injured, shocked the nation and sparked a heated debate about security measures at high-profile political events.

Former President Trump suffered an ear injury in the attack, which occurred while he was addressing supporters at the rally. The Secret Service quickly neutralized the threat and fatally shot Crooks as he fired from a nearby rooftop.

The emergence of this video follows the release of a preliminary investigative report by Rep. Clay Higgins, a Louisiana Republican who serves on the House task force investigating the shooting. Higgins' report, which was submitted to task force chairman Rep. Mike Kelly earlier this week, caused a stir and fueled further speculation about the handling of evidence in the case.

In his report, Higgins described his unsuccessful attempt to examine Crooks' body during a three-day trip to Butler in early August. The congressman wrote that his attempt to examine Crooks' body on August 5 revealed that the FBI had released the body for cremation 10 days after the incident, on July 23. Higgins stated that this fact was unknown to local authorities, including the county coroner and sheriff, until his investigation.

Higgins further claimed that this action by the FBI could only be described as obstruction of all further investigative efforts. The congressman also noted that both the investigative report and the autopsy report were “delayed,” which further complicates the investigation.

Newsweek has contacted the Butler County Coroner's Office and the FBI, but neither responded to requests for comment on these allegations.

The newly surfaced video of Crooks at the rally site further complicates an already complicated case. The video has also reignited the debate over security protocols at large political gatherings. Outdoor rallies pose unique security risks, and balancing public access with comprehensive security measures remains a constant challenge for security forces.

Higgins, in a statement on his preliminary report, reiterated his determination to uncover the full truth behind the assassination attempt. He stated that every question would be answered, every theory investigated and every doubt dispelled, stressing that the American people deserve the full truth about the attempted assassination of President Trump.