Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe acknowledged a significant security failure in the recent assassination attempt on former President Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania. Exclusive video footage captured a figure moving along the roof of the American Glass Research (AGR) building just minutes before the shooting occurred at Trump's rally.
Rowe expressed regret over the lack of adequate protection and surveillance on the roofline, emphasizing the need for better coverage and presence from the Secret Service. The video, taken at 6:08 p.m. on July 13, shows the individual on the adjacent building's roof shortly before the shooting took place.
Thomas Crooks, the assailant, began firing shots with a collapsible AR-15-style rifle at around 6:11 p.m., targeting the former president and injuring three individuals, including Trump himself. Counter snipers swiftly neutralized Crooks, who was found with eight shell casings near his body.
Witnesses at the rally captured the tense moments leading up to the shooting, with law enforcement officers surrounding the AGR building where Crooks was positioned. The chaotic scene unfolded as attendees sought cover and law enforcement responded to the threat.
The security lapses have raised concerns, leading to congressional hearings to investigate how Crooks managed to evade detection and carry out the assassination attempt. The tragic incident claimed the life of Corey Comperatore, a firefighter who heroically shielded his family during the attack.
