Almost a month has passed since shots were fired at Donald Trump during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, was killed at the scene and thus cannot be brought to justice – but that does not mean the story is over.
The FBI’s investigation is still ongoing and as recently as a week ago it was announced that Donald Trump himself would be called in for questioning.
Shooting at Donald Trump
FBI: Shooter bought guns through alias
The video from the body camera shows the time after the assassination attempt on Trump
– We want to get his perspective and hear what he observed, said FBI agent Kevin Rojek at a press conference.
According to the FBI, the purpose of the investigation is, among other things, to find out Crook’s motives. They are also investigating whether Crooks had any helpers, but at the same time add that there is currently nothing to indicate that.
“Made me feel ashamed”
Another question mark that has not been resolved has to do with the actions of the Secret Service during the assassination attempt.
The authority, which is most responsible for the protection of the presidential candidates, has had to endure harsh criticism for not stopping the shooter earlier.
Secret Service chief Kimberly Cheatle chose to resign shortly after the shooting. Her acting replacement, Ronald Rowe, has admitted during Senate hearings that it was a big mistake not to secure the roof from which Crooks shot.
– What I saw made me ashamed, said Rowe.
Police warned about the roof
It is clear that the police and Secret Service knew about Crooks before the shots were fired. Around an hour before the shooting, he was photographed by a police officer who thought he looked “suspicious”.
Just before the shooting, a police officer also came face-to-face with Crooks after bystanders spotted him from the crowd. In video clips from body cameras, the same policeman is then heard telling that he warned about the roof in question several days before the murder attempt.