At a Glance
- Local police warned Secret Service about suspicious individual days before the shooting
- Shooter Thomas Matthew Crooks managed to access rooftop despite prior warnings
- Former President Trump was struck in the ear; one spectator killed, two injured
- Secret Service admits failure to secure the roof, citing miscommunication
- Investigations underway into security lapses that led to the incident
Local Police Frustration Caught on Camera
In a shocking revelation, newly released police body camera footage has exposed the extent of security failures during the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump at a Pennsylvania rally. The footage, which provides an unprecedented look into the events surrounding the shooting, reveals the frustration and anger of local law enforcement towards the Secret Service’s handling of the situation.
The videos show local officers frantically searching for the shooter, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, before and after the incident. What’s most alarming is that Crooks had been flagged as suspicious by local police days before the shooting, yet managed to slip through security measures.
Warnings Ignored, Shooter Gains Access
Perhaps the most damning evidence of the Secret Service’s incompetence comes from a local officer who had warned the agency days earlier to secure the building where the shooting occurred. Despite this clear warning, Crooks was able to scale the roof and open fire with an AR-style rifle, striking Trump in the ear and killing one spectator while injuring two others.
“They didn’t do what you told them to do,” one officer is heard saying in the footage, expressing disbelief at the Secret Service’s failure to heed their warning.
The footage also captures the confusion and miscommunication among officers about why the rooftop was left unmanned, a critical oversight that allowed Crooks to carry out his attack.
Secret Service Admits Failure
In the wake of this security disaster, Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe Jr. has acknowledged the agency’s failure to secure the roof. The Secret Service claimed they assumed state and local law enforcement had the area covered, a dangerous assumption that nearly cost a former president his life.
“The Secret Service’s primary mission is to protect the President and other high-ranking officials. This incident represents a significant failure in fulfilling that mission,” stated a former Secret Service agent in response to the footage.
The agency has stated that they are now reviewing and updating their protective policies and procedures. However, for many, this response comes too late and does little to address the grave security lapses that occurred.
Investigations Underway
In light of these revelations, multiple investigations have been launched to scrutinize the security failures that led to the shooting. The FBI and a bipartisan House panel are among those looking into the incident, seeking to understand how such a breach could occur despite clear warnings and the presence of multiple law enforcement agencies.
As the investigations continue, many are calling for a complete overhaul of the Secret Service’s procedures and a reevaluation of its leadership. The agency’s failure to protect a former president and innocent civilians has raised serious questions about its ability to fulfill its crucial role in safeguarding our nation’s leaders.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing threats faced by our public figures and the critical importance of maintaining vigilant and effective security measures. As more details emerge, it is clear that significant changes must be made to prevent such a catastrophic failure from ever happening again.
Sources
Body camera footage shows local police anger at Secret Service after Trump assassination attempt
‘I told them’: police body-cam reveals warning days before Trump shooting
New bodycam footage shows moments before Trump rally shooting
New bodycam video shows moment police officer saw Trump shooter just before assassination attempt
Body camera footage shows local police anger at Secret Service after Trump assassination attempt