Current developments following the horrendous shooting at a Pennsylvania Trump rally suggest that the Secret Service and local police are now involved in a blame game over the security mishap.
Here’s the situation: According to the Secret Service, their jurisdiction was limited to the area where Trump’s rally was taking place. The industrial premises of AGR International Inc., a distance equivalent to a football field from Trump’s location, were supposed to be under the local police’s watch. That’s the account provided by Anthony Gugliemi, a Secret Service representative.
The local police were tasked not only with securing the industrial premises but also with assisting the Secret Service in maintaining the safety of the rally grounds. However, locals from the Butler Farm Show Grounds have reported that they didn’t notice any police presence either before or during the rally. Resident Valerie Fennell noted that her residence, located near the rally, was noticeably unmonitored. She stated that this lack of police presence extended to her entire neighborhood.
Eyewitness accounts suggest that rally participants noticed Thomas Crooks behaving suspiciously near the metal detectors. Despite alerts being promptly issued to the Secret Service, Crooks was able to move on the rooftop until he reached his position. It was at this juncture that it was reported that an officer tried to make contact.
However, it appears that the officer prompted Crooks to fire about eight rounds into the crowd. In the ensuing chaos, he aimed at Trump, killed an innocent bystander named Corey Comperatore, and seriously wounded two others.
Secret Service snipers positioned at a barn behind the stage eliminated Crooks. The Secret Service revealed that it’s standard protocol to rely on local law enforcement for support during such events. In this instance, a team of six officers from Butler County’s tactical units joined the Secret Service’s counter-assault team responsible for Trump’s evacuation.
A lot of questions are being asked about the incident, and we will provide updates as quickly as we can.
