Newly released bodycam footage from a local Pennsylvania police officer has shed light on security lapses during an attempted assassination at a campaign rally for former President Donald Trump. The footage suggests that the Secret Service may have failed to secure the building where the assailant, Thomas Matthew Crooks, fired his rifle.
The video shows the Butler Township police officer expressing frustration that the Secret Service did not have agents posted on the building, despite his prior warnings. The officer can be heard saying, 'I told them they need to post guys over here... the Secret Service.' This exchange underscores the disorganized nature of the security arrangements for the rally.
Furthermore, the footage indicates that Crooks may have used a wooden pallet to scale the building before the shooting took place. The officer mentions that he thought someone was on the roof, highlighting the confusion among law enforcement agencies present at the event.
Efforts to access the building were frantic, with the officer assisting countersnipers in climbing onto the roof using a storage shed and a pallet. The video also shows a police officer attempting to scale the building but being confronted by Crooks, resulting in gunfire that injured several individuals.
In response to the footage, the U.S. Secret Service acknowledged the security failure and stated that they are reviewing and updating their protective policies to prevent such incidents in the future.
The incident, which left one spectator dead and others wounded, has raised concerns about the coordination and effectiveness of security measures at high-profile events. The release of the bodycam footage has prompted calls for improved security protocols to ensure the safety of public figures and attendees at similar gatherings.
