In The Wake of Assassination Attempt, Conflicting Reports Emerge
As major media outlets and political personalities scrambled to identify the would-be assassin of Donald Trump, a potential suspect has emerged. What do we know about this individual and is it possible more is at play as alternative outlets are proposing a different suspect.
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According to the NewYorkPost, which readers will remember first reported the shooter to be of Chinese decent, was the first to identify a potential suspect as Thomas Matthew Crooks. Major news outlets are reporting that the FBI has confirmed Crooks as the primary suspect, but last reporting indicated it was pending a DNA test as the suspect was not carrying identification.
While most outlets are reporting right now that Mr. Crooks is a resident of Bethel Park, PA, a location within driving distance of the rally, and a registered Republican, only some are reporting that Crooks was a known contributor to ACTBlue, left leaning Political Action Committee. It is also worth noting that within the state of PA, political primaries are closed. This has led to a significant portion of activists registering for opposing parties to sway primary elections away from undesirable candidates.
A video circulating around social media allegedly of Mr. Crookes shows an individual screaming in a violent tirade demanding to “slash republican throats.”
Potentially more interesting is that Crookes, a graduate of Bethel Park High School, participated in a Black Rock education program during his time at the school. Crookes can be found in the now removed Ad from the Globalist investment firm giving the clearest image of his face to compare to that of the confirmed shooter.
Public records indicate Crooke’s parents are both behavioral therapists, however Crooke’s uncle indicate the family is “incredibly private” and he has not spoken with the family or Crookes, in some time. Crooke’s father has also refused to make comments at this time until speaking with authorities.
While similarities can be found in the chin structure, making this person a strong potential suspect, internet forums are still lively with discussion of a potential alternative suspect.
Within some internet circles, many are speculating the potential suspect to be one Maxwell Yearick, a known Antifa member who has previous arrests on record for assault Trump supporters in 2016 and 2021.
Little is known about this individual beyond his affiliation to the extremist organization, however the individual does resemble the shooter closely. It is unclear if the FBI is currently investigating Crookes due to the NYPost alleging the identity or if undisclosed evidence has linked him to the case. Regardless, information at this time indicates at the very least, significant security breaches seem to have occurred allowing such a calamity to happen.
As eyewitness accounts previously reported, the shooter was visible and reported to authorities scaling the building 3-5 minutes before shots rang out in an area with clear visual from both where police snipers were stationed and with open access to the president who did not have ballistic glass or any barrier protecting him. It is evident at this time that former President Donald Trump was only saved by turning his head at the last second. Satellite imaging of the area indicates law enforcement snipers would have had clear visual of the assassin without obstructions.
Reports coming in as of today also indicate the assailant was visible by onlookers scaling the building and was even followed by LEOs that saw him on the roof with a gun and retreated back down the ladder. Still, in spite of this, snipers waited until after the assassin fired off several shots before taking him out. Arguments have emerged regarding whether snipers had clear line of sight of the potential assassin, however, the fact remains the shooter had clear line of sight of the former president in one of 11 locations in an open area which were left almost completely unmonitored.
Still other’s have mentioned that perhaps secret service had the shooter in their line of sight but operate on “no kill without orders.” If so, this would represent the most egregious miscarriage of security in history to where unarmed protestors like Ashley Babbitt are killed on a whim by secret service and capital police on January 6 but the former president is allowed to have shots fired at him by armed assassins before any action is taken.