In a dramatic series of events at former President Donald Trump’s rally on Saturday, a local sniper from a tactical team deployed to assist the U.S. Secret Service identified and photographed the gunman minutes before he attempted to assassinate Trump. According to a local law enforcement officer with direct knowledge of the events, the sniper observed the shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, using a rangefinder to measure the distance to his target.
The local sniper was one of three members of tactical teams stationed inside the building used by the shooter. Their operations plan had them scanning the crowd from windows. Initially, the sniper noticed Crooks outside, looking up at the roof, before he disappeared and then returned to the building. Crooks was seen sitting down and looking at his phone, prompting the sniper to take his picture.
As Crooks used the rangefinder, the sniper immediately radioed the command post, attempting to send the photo up the chain of command. The command post, a central hub for streamlining communications between the U.S. Secret Service and local officers, received the alert. However, it is unclear if the alert was successfully processed.
Crooks disappeared again but soon returned with a backpack. The local sniper team called for backup, alerting the command post about the gunman’s backpack and his movement towards the building. By the time additional officers responded, Crooks had scaled the building, positioning himself above and behind the snipers.
Butler County Sheriff Michael Sloupe explained that two municipal police officers who responded to the backup request attempted to climb onto the roof. One officer was hoisted up but had to let go when Crooks aimed his rifle at him, causing the officer to fall. Moments later, Crooks began firing into the crowd.
A U.S. Secret Service sniper stationed in a building behind Trump fired one round, killing Crooks. The Secret Service team, located behind Trump’s left shoulder, was responsible for neutralizing the shooter. A federal law enforcement bulletin later identified Crooks as an “apparent lone attacker” and warned of potential follow-on or retaliatory attacks by violent extremists related to the upcoming election in November.
The attack resulted in the death of Corey Comperatore, a firefighter. Trump and two others, Marine Corps veteran David Dutch and 74-year-old James Copenhaver, were injured. This incident highlights the serious security challenges faced during large political events and the crucial role of coordinated law enforcement efforts in ensuring safety.
Stay tuned for more updates on this evolving story as details continue to emerge. The implications of this assassination attempt are profound, particularly with the upcoming election and heightened political tensions.
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