The recent report from the House Task Force investigating the deadly shooting at former US President Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania on July 13 has revealed shocking details about the incident. The report stated that the shooting was a “preventable” incident and cited “a lack of planning and coordination between the Secret Service (USSS)” as the main contributing factor.
The incident occurred when 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks opened fire from a rooftop just outside the event’s security perimeter, grazing Trump’s ear and killing one attendee while injuring two others. The report highlighted that better coordination between the USSS and state and local authorities could have prevented this tragic event from happening.
Crooks was eventually killed by a single bullet to the head after firing eight shots at the rally. The final report from the House Task Force is expected to be released by December 13, shedding more light on the details of the incident.
The report detailed severe ‘lack of planning and coordination’ of the Secret Service, pointing out that there was no central meeting between the USSS and supporting law enforcement agencies on the morning of the rally. This lack of communication hindered the coordination between local, state, and federal law enforcement, ultimately leading to the tragic events of July 13.
Witness testimony included in the report revealed that a member of the Butler Township Police Department spotted Crooks on the roof moments before he opened fire. Despite the officer’s warning, the Secret Service detail assigned to Trump did not receive the information in time to prevent the shooting. The report also contradicted the initial claim by the USSS that one of their snipers took down Crooks, stating that a member of the Butler County Emergency Services Unit was responsible for the fatal shot.
Furthermore, the House Task Force report highlighted that the Secret Service did not provide guidance to local law enforcement regarding the placement, role, and responsibilities of their snipers. This lack of coordination and communication between different law enforcement agencies played a significant role in the tragic events that unfolded at the rally.
Overall, the report paints a grim picture of the security failures that led to the assassination attempt on Donald Trump at his rally in Pennsylvania. It serves as a stark reminder of the importance of proper planning and coordination between law enforcement agencies to prevent such incidents from happening in the future.