The chilling series of events leading up to an attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump has exposed significant security failures.
According to Daily Mail, the Secret Service countersnipers had identified gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks 90 minutes before he fired. He was first spotted sitting on a picnic table 50 yards from the exit at 4:26 p.m.
Countersnipers exchanged a string of messages about Crooks’ location and movements. Several photos of Crooks were taken as he moved closer to the rally stage.
Despite repeated warnings, Crooks was never approached or questioned. He was seen on the roof of the American Glass Research building shortly before the shooting.
Crooks fired eight shots from an AR-style rifle within 30 minutes of being reported by the countersnipers. Trump narrowly escaped harm with only a grazed ear.
Retired volunteer fire chief Corey Comperatore was fatally shot during the attack. Many others were injured in the chaos.
Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle, who resigned following the incident on July 13, admitted, "The buck stops with me." Cheatle has faced criticism for not positioning agents on the roof and acknowledged failure to act on multiple warnings about a suspicious individual.
FBI Director Christopher Wray revealed Crooks' disturbing online activity. Crooks had researched the distance from which Lee Harvey Oswald had shot John F. Kennedy and had flown a drone near the stage two hours before his attack.
Crooks’ father contacted law enforcement on the day of the shooting, validating concerns about his behavior. Crooks had assured his employer he would return to work on Sunday.
Former President Trump has publicly defended the brave lady from the Secret Service who shielded him during the attack. Trump highlighted the agent's courage amidst the online criticism she faced after the foiled assassination attempt.
Crooks utilized mechanical equipment and vertical piping to scale the roof, evading a security breach that Secret Service personnel were supposed to secure. The countersnipers' warning about Crooks went unheeded, culminating in the attack.
Authorities have not confirmed the motive behind Crooks' actions. Nonetheless, the incident has triggered a significant review of security protocols for protecting public figures.
The investigation continues, raising concerns about the protection afforded to public figures at high-profile events. Crooks' actions and the corresponding response have underscored the delicate balance of maintaining vigilance and ensuring public safety. While Cheatle has taken responsibility for the breach, the broader implications for the Secret Service and local law enforcement protocols remain. This incident may prompt a reevaluation of policies to prevent such lapses.
