Donald Trump Shooting Body Camera Footage Released, Shows Horrible Confusion
Body camera footage has been released of the assassination attempt on Donald Trump, and it shows the absolute state of confusion.
Senator Chuck Grassley released more than 25 minutes body camera footage from the July 13th shooting that resulted in the Republican nominee being hit in the ear by a bullet. Would-be assassin Thomas Matthew Crooks was killed by a counter-sniper.
It's hard to watch the video and describe it as anything less than a complete disaster and chaos. A couple quick observations:
- Some officers were casually walking at the start of the chaos.
- Officers struggled to get through a fence with their gear.
- An officer says they need to set up "a solid perimeter" around the building the shots were fired from *AFTER* the fact.
- Officer said "ladders are en route." Why were ladders not readily available?
- An agent in a suit and officers talk about multiple people possibly being detained.
- It's clear from the video the idea a slope stopped people from getting on the roof is just not accurate. Many officers were up there without any issues.
- An officer confirms he had a rangefinder on him.
- Officers discuss what is likely the explosive detonator Crooks never used.
- There is a lot of blood as a result of the shoot that killed Crooks.
- One officer says the FBI needs "to hurry the f*ck up" due to a potential bomb being placed at a gas meter.
- Officers on the roof found eight shell casings, which matches up with all eight shots fired at Trump.
You can watch the full body camera footage in the posts below, and let me know your thoughts at David.Hookstead@outkick.com.
While some of the officers certainly did their job and were composed, this video doesn't paint a great picture of the immediate response.
Why are a couple officers casually strolling to the shooter's location? Why were no ladders immediately available? Why was it declared a secure perimeter was needed after the shooting when there clearly wasn't one before?
To be clear, there's nothing in this video to suggest there's any grand conspiracy theory - the biggest being he was never shot. I've already debunked that in the Instagram post below.
What the video does show is a weird mix of a lack of urgency from some, confusion from others and horrible preparation. Life isn't a movie. When shots are fired it generally results in absolute chaos. Let me know your thoughts at David.Hookstead@outkick.com.