Reports have emerged that the United States Secret Service was alerted about Thomas Matthew Crooks and labeled him a “threat” just 10 minutes before former President Donald Trump took the stage, yet allowed the event to proceed. This information surfaced during a Senate briefing on July 17.
Sources indicate that more than an hour before Saturday's shooting at Trump’s campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, the Secret Service was warned of a “character of suspicion” on the grounds. Crooks, not armed at the time, was identified due to carrying a rangefinder and a backpack, according to Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.).
Despite these warnings, Crooks roamed freely for hours, ultimately opening fire on the crowd. His attack resulted in the death of a retired firefighter, injuries to Trump, and critical wounds to two others. Local police had spotted Crooks outside the rally perimeter and notified the Secret Service, but the agency failed to act.
Sen. Barrasso criticized the Secret Service for not maintaining surveillance on Crooks and called for the resignation of Secret Service chief Kimberly Cheatle. Testimony revealed that a decision was made not to position a sniper on the roof of the AGR International building, which Crooks later used as a vantage point.
The Secret Service had been informed that local police could not provide manpower to secure the building, yet no additional measures were taken. On the day of the rally, officers were posted inside the building, but Crooks managed to climb it unnoticed, armed with his father’s AR-style assault rifle.
Crooks, who had set off metal detectors at the rally entrance due to the rangefinder, was not detained. Security teams observed him until he passed the secure area, but he was later seen on the roof, photographed by emergency services and police officers who reported him as suspicious.
In the final moments before the shooting, rally attendees spotted Crooks on the roof and shouted warnings. Despite these alerts, Crooks had ample time to prepare and fire his weapon, marking the first assassination attempt on a U.S. president in 43 years.
