The senator obtained the footage from Beaver County’s Emergency Services Unit in compliance with congressional requests.
The footage, which is approximately three minutes and six seconds long, was obtained from Beaver County’s Emergency Services Unit in compliance with congressional requests, according to Mr. Grassley.
It shows an officer with the Beaver County Emergency Services Unit standing next to a dark-suited man, who is a Secret Service agent, according to a press release from Mr. Grassley’s office.
The men appear to be standing on the roof from which shots were fired on July 13 as former President Trump stood on stage at the rally.
At least three other law enforcement officials can be seen, although it is not clear exactly how many were present on the roof when the footage was filmed.
On the ground next to them appears to be the body of the gunman, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks. Although the shooter’s body has been partially blurred in the video, a long trail of blood on the roof can be seen.
Image From Sniper Team
The Beaver County officer and the Secret Service agent can be heard discussing the timeline of events they believe led up to the assassination attempt, including whether the man lying on the ground next to them is the same man seen in a photo sent out by a member of Beaver County’s sniper team.
“So, this is the guy … that the sniper saw,” the agent says.
“Yes, a Beaver County sniper seen [sic] and sent the pictures out, this is him,” the officer replies.
The Secret Service agent then asks whether or not an abandoned bike that was found in the area belonged to the shooter.
“We don’t know,” the officer responds.
The Beaver County officer then shows the agent photos on his phone.
“I don’t know if you got the same ones I did?” the officer asks the agent, referring to the photos.
“I think I did, yeah, he’s [the shooter] got his glasses on,” the agent replies.
The officer adds that the sniper saw the shooter arrive on a bike.
Elsewhere in the footage, the officers and agent can be seen discussing two people who have been detained because they were caught recording the shooter before he opened fire on former President Trump and the crowd at the rally.
“There’s people detained who were filming … maybe they were involved, maybe they weren’t,” the Secret Service agent tells the officers. “I’m just trying to detain those guys. Find out who they know. Who they are. Whatever. I’m trying to get clear information to relay back to D.C.”
The shooter fired multiple shots at the rally, killing one and wounding two more.
One of the bullets struck former President Trump’s ear, leaving a 2 cm wide wound that extended down to the cartilaginous surface of the ear, according to former White House physician, Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-Texas).
Bodycam Footage ‘Confirms 4 Things’
In his social media post, Mr. Grassley said that more detailed answers are needed as soon as possible regarding the ’security failures’ on the day of the attempted assassination of former President Trump.
“Transparency brings accountability,” he wrote.
Separately in the press release, Mr. Grassley said the bodycam footage confirms four things.
Firstly, the video confirms local law enforcement “saw the shooter prior to his presence on the roof,” Mr. Grassley said.
Secondly, he said, it shows that local officers shared pictures of the suspected shooter with the Secret Service, raising questions “with respect to exactly when the pictures were shared.”
Third, the conversation shows law enforcement lost track of the suspected shooter, according to Mr. Grassley.
Fourth, the video shows that law enforcement sought access to a drone to secure the water tower after the shooting.
He added that questions regarding the “catastrophic security failure” that took place on July 13 have been building for days.
“Federal agencies, particularly the Secret Service, have failed to be transparent with the American people,” Mr. Grassley said.
“This assassination attempt is a matter of significant public interest, and the public’s business ought to be public,” he continued. “I’m releasing these records as part of my efforts to get answers and hold agencies accountable.”
The release of the video footage comes after Kimberly Cheatle, the director of the U.S. Secret Service, resigned on July 23, just one day after giving testimony to Congress about the attempted assassination.
Zachary Stieber contributed to this report.
