Following an assassination attempt on President Donald Trump over the weekend, the US Secret Service (USSS) has placed blame on local law enforcement for failing to secure the rooftop from where gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks attempted to assassinate the presumptive GOP candidate.

According to the New York Times, USSS spokesman Anthony Gugliemi stated that the building, being outside the event’s perimeter, was supposed to be monitored by local police rather than the federal agency during the rally. The rally on Saturday had four counter-sniper teams, with two from USSS and two from local police. Lt. Col. George Bivens of the Pennsylvania State Police, however, mentioned that “Secret Service always has the lead on securing something like this.”

Trump shooter neutralized. pic.twitter.com/BoKU78psDv

— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) July 14, 2024

 

Gugliemi told the Times that the agency believes local police were notified of Crooks’ suspicious activity as he climbed onto the rooftop. Videos showed bystanders attempting to alert authorities in the moments leading up to the assassination attempt. Neighbors near the Butler Farm Show Grounds, where the rally was held, told the New York Post that they had not received any visits from police before the rally.

Valerie Fennell, a resident close to the rally site, said, “Nobody contacted me. Nobody. Nobody called me, nobody stopped here.” She added, “I kinda was thinking that as close as my house is, that I honestly thought this might be part of a command station at some point.” Fennell’s neighbors also reported a lack of contact from police, as confirmed by her sister, Debra.

Attendees reported seeing Crooks acting suspiciously near the metal detectors at the rally entrance. Local law enforcement was notified and told to be on the lookout for him. Crooks was reportedly seen with a rifle and jumping from “roof to roof” before taking his position. At around 6:10 p.m., a police officer confronted Crooks on the rooftop but retreated when Crooks aimed the rifle at him.

Moments later, Crooks fired at Trump, striking him in the ear and killing 50-year-old rally attendee Corey Comperatore, who was shielding his family. Two others in the crowd were also critically injured. USSS then managed to neutralize Crooks.