Former Secret Service agent says Trump would-be assassin Thomas Crooks scouted rally spot in advance [Video]

Thomas Matthew Crooks likely scouted the Butler Farm rally site and planned his attack extensively before attacking a Trump rally in Butler County, Pennsylvania, Saturday in a failed attempt to kill the former president, according to a retired Secret Service agent and security expert.

“It’s clear now the gunman did an advance of the target before the event,” said Bill Gage, who is now a consultant at Safehaven Security Group.

“[Arthur] Bremer, [Lee Harvey] Oswald and [John] Hinckley, they all scouted before,” he added, referring to men who attacked Presidents Richard Nixon, John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan, respectively.

Crooks, 20, was carrying a range-finder and behaving suspiciously when he showed up “in or just-outside” the venue Saturday before former President Donald Trumptook the stage, according to law enforcement sources. Other evidence that emerged Tuesday: He purchased ammo hours before the rally. Crooks also bought a ladder at Home Depot, Fox …