‘Somebody got shot’: Alleged Trump shooter was filmed opening fire from roof
TMZ publishes bystander’s footage of man crawling into position, then being killed by security moments after shots were fired at former US president at campaign rally
A gunman lay on his stomach on a rooftop with a rifle in hand, then screams rang out, a video published by US outlet TMZ on Saturday showed.
US presidential candidate Donald Trump was shot in the ear in an assassination attempt by a gunman at a campaign rally Saturday in Butler, Pennsylvania.
The FBI identified the gunman, who was shot dead by the US Secret Service, as Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old from the US state’s Bethel Park, according to US media.
The video published by TMZ shows the alleged shooter lying on his belly on a rooftop and aiming a rifle.
“The guy has longer brown hair, and he seems to be wearing a grey shirt/khaki pants — and as you can see, he’s carefully trying pinpoint a target from afar before pulling the trigger,” TMZ reported.
A quick succession of gunshots is heard followed by screams from people off-camera as a volley of retaliating fire targets the man, killing him, said the report, which did not show the moment he was struck.
Video of what appears to be a man down on the roof by the trump rally in pa pic.twitter.com/YFfuUesbAo
— Liberty_Sean (@sharland57753) July 13, 2024
“He’s turning this way, be careful guys,” a man is heard saying.
“Somebody got shot,” another voice said. “He’s right there, laying down.”
“Dude, that’s exactly why we need… Trump here,” another man is heard saying.
“Secret Service don’t (mess) around,” another man said.
The video was filmed by Michael Difrischia, who was watching the Trump rally from outside the main grounds. His wife, Amber, noticed the man climbing onto the roof. According to the report, other bystanders also noticed the man, and that he was carrying a rifle, prompting them to attempt to alert police.
A second video published by TMZ shows shaky footage of the same rooftop and a blurred body.
“You can see the guy there,” a person off-camera said. “I think they hit him because the guy, he looks dead.”
Another video posted by a TikTok user shows Trump touching his right ear just after multiple bangs are heard.
In the same frame, a security force sniper, positioned on a roof behind the Republican presidential candidate, is seen taking aim with a rifle mounted on a stand.
Watch this video taken from a different angle at the rally in Butler, PA where Trump was shot. The counter snipers on the roof see something and immediately engage the shooter, killing him.
These men are heroes. pic.twitter.com/TKYJOmD4xA
— WorldNetDaily (@worldnetdaily) July 14, 2024
Trump then crouches down behind the lectern as Secret Service agents move in around him. Screams are heard in the crowd.
He is later escorted off stage by agents.
AFP did not independently verify the videos.
