Thomas Matthew Crooks, the 20-year-old would-be assassin who opened fire at former President Donald Trump’s Pennsylvania campaign rally on Saturday, hid his weapon in advance, according to a Secret Service source.
It remains unclear where Crooks hid the rifle prior to the attack. By the time agents spotted him on the roof, he was already holding the weapon. “We went from golf range finder to AR-15, and now we have to fill in the gap,” the source told Fox News.
When authorities first observed Crooks carrying a golf range finder on Saturday, he was perceived as a “person of interest” but not a “threat.” Range finders were not banned from rally events at the time, but authorities are expected to review the list of prohibited items. Crooks did not become an official threat until he was seen with a weapon.
The Secret Service had four counter-sniper teams stationed around the rally—two from the agency and two from local law enforcement. Of these teams, two opened fire: one from local law enforcement and one from the Secret Service. A federal sharpshooter fatally struck Crooks seconds after the gunfire erupted.
Crooks fired an AR-15 from the rooftop, striking at least four people. The attack killed 50-year-old Corey Comperatore, a father of two, and seriously wounded David Dutch, 57, and James Copenhaver, 74. Authorities have spent much of the week pointing fingers about who was responsible for securing the AGR International Inc. building, from which Crooks opened fire.
Authorities, including the FBI, have been investigating the roof of the AGR International Inc. building adjacent to the Butler Fairgrounds. This is where the alleged shooter, Matthew Thomas Crooks, fired at former President Trump.
Trump later revealed that he had been shot in the right ear. Photos from the scene showed him getting back to his feet after ducking for cover, with blood on the right side of his head. Despite the incident, Trump appeared publicly at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, later in the week, wearing a bandage on his ear.
The incident at the Trump rally has raised serious concerns about security measures and the protocols in place to protect high-profile figures. As investigations continue, authorities aim to close the gaps that allowed this attack to occur and prevent future threats.
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