THE deranged gunman who came within a hair’s breadth of blowing out former President Donald Trump’s brains was on a desperate suicide mission aimed at triggering a horrifying second American Civil War, security and political experts tell GLOBE.
According to sources, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, of Bethel Park, Pa., came only millimeters from achieving his bloody goal when he hit the upper portion of Trump’s right ear as the Republican presidential candidate gave an address at the Butler Farm Show Grounds 30 miles north of Pittsburgh.
“Crooks had to know what would have happened had he been successful,” says political author Leon Wagener. “It could very well have been the match that set the flame to a larger fire.
“Trump’s supporters may have been marching in the streets — or worse. It would have gotten very ugly.”
Meanwhile, a Secret Service insider says Crooks had to know he had little chance of survival after firing shots at 78-year-old Trump.
“The Secret Service doesn’t stop to arrest people when they fire from a rooftop at someone like Trump,” says the source.
“Crooks’ shooting could only have ended in the way that it did — with him dead from a law enforcement sniper’s bullet.”
Sources say the gunman’s bizarre behavior — he was spotted pacing near metal detectors at the rally’s entrance before the event — sparked a furious but unsuccessful manhunt.
This story is from the August 05, 2024 edition of Globe US.
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This story is from the August 05, 2024 edition of Globe US.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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