The shooting incident that disrupted a rally for former President Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania on Saturday, July 13, 2024 raises concerns about the security measures in place for political events.
Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, climbed onto a nearby rooftop and fired shots toward the stage where Trump was speaking. The Secret Service counter snipers responded swiftly, fatally shooting Crooks. The FBI is investigating the incident as an act of domestic terrorism.
Law enforcement officials reported that Crooks had positioned himself on a roof approximately 150 meters from the stage. The gunman fired several shots before being neutralized by the Secret Service.
One bystander, Corey Comperatore, 50, a former fire chief, was killed while trying to shield his family. Two others, David Dutch, 57, and James Copenhaver, 74, were critically wounded and are receiving medical treatment.
However, in a shocking new development, it was revealed that a witness outside the rally, identified as Greg Smith, claimed he alerted police about a shooter on a nearby building, and that several other bystanders saw Crooks position himself on the roof.
In an interview with the BBC after the incident, Smith said he saw the shooter “bear-crawling up the roof of the building beside us” with a rifle.
“We’re pointing at him. The police are down there, running around on the ground. We’re like, ‘Hey man, there’s a guy on the roof with a rifle’ … and the police did not know what was going on,” he said.
“I’m thinking to myself, ‘Why is Trump still speaking? Why have they not pulled him off the stage?’” he continued. “I’m standing there pointing at him for, you know, two to three minutes … next thing you know, five shots ring out.”
Smith also questioned why the Secret Service wasn’t on all the roofs surrounding the rally in Butler, telling the BBC, “This is not a big place. [It’s a] security failure, 100% security failure.”
The shocking evidence has been recorded on video and is posted on the social media platform X. Footage shows witnesses screaming and becoming increasingly frustrated as cops ignore their alarm throughout the 52-second clip.
Former President Trump was escorted off the stage by Secret Service agents after a bullet grazed his right ear. He was taken to a local hospital and treated for minor injuries before being released. “We are grateful for the quick response of the Secret Service and local law enforcement,” Trump said in a statement. “Their bravery saved lives today.”
The shooting incident has prompted a review of security protocols for political events. The Secret Service typically secures nearby structures to prevent such threats, but this incident has raised questions about the effectiveness of their measures. Lawmakers from both parties have called for an investigation into how Crooks was able to gain access to the rooftop. “This was a serious lapse in security,” a former Secret Service agent said. “We need to understand what went wrong and ensure it doesn’t happen again.”
The FBI is leading the investigation into Crooks’ background and motive. Early reports indicate that Crooks had no prior criminal record and was not previously on the FBI’s radar. His weapon, a semi-automatic AR-style rifle, was legally purchased by his father. Investigators are also examining suspicious devices found in Crooks’ vehicle, which was parked near the rally site.
President Joe Biden has condemned the violence and ordered an independent review of the security measures at the rally. “This kind of political violence is unacceptable,” Biden said in a statement. “We must do everything in our power to protect our democratic processes and ensure the safety of all Americans.”
The Republican National Convention, where Trump is expected to be officially nominated as the party’s candidate, is set to proceed as planned. The Secret Service has assured that they are fully prepared and have not identified any specific threats to the event. Secret Service Director James Murray said they are taking all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of the candidates and attendees.
The incident has sparked a temporary detente in the heated 2024 presidential campaign. Both Trump and Biden have called for unity and condemned the attack. “We may have our political differences, but violence is never the answer,” Trump said. “We must come together as a nation and reject hatred and violence.”
As the investigation continues, the focus remains on understanding Crooks’ motives and preventing future attacks. “This is a wake-up call,” said Senator Marco Rubio. “We need to take a hard look at our security protocols and make sure we’re doing everything we can to protect our leaders and our democratic process.”