FBI Makes Stunning Announcement After Trump Attack
Sources indicate that the man suspected of attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump reached the rally’s rooftop by climbing over an air conditioning unit adjacent to the building.
Despite some law enforcement sources suggesting that Thomas Matthew Crooks may have purchased a 5-foot ladder from Home Depot prior to the shooting, the ladder does not appear to have been used to access the roof and was not found at the scene.
As the FBI investigates, there remain questions about how the 20-year-old managed to reach the roof undetected, gain a clear line of sight to the former president, and fire multiple shots at him. The investigation into the suspected gunman’s motive continues, and the Secret Service confirmed that Crooks was killed at the scene.
"Investigators said Tuesday they found a remote transmitter in the suspect’s pocket that may have been intended to set off two suspicious devices found in the suspect’s car and one in his home, according to law enforcement sources. Devices at both locations were similarly constructed in ammunition containers using components including receivers that appear to have been paired with the remote control found in the suspect’s pocket, sources said," ABC News reported.
"The receivers in each device were connected to a series of components that investigators say met the 'eye test' — having parts present that could have made viable devices, although the functionality of the devices is still being determined. The purpose of the devices is also unknown. Whether they were intended to cause a significant blast effect and hurt people or if they were designed to create smoke, fire and a low-grade blast for a diversion is unclear," the outlet added.
ABC continued: "Investigators also found a tactical vest in the suspect’s car, though it is unclear why he did not wear it during the assault on the former president’s rally. Some investigators are wondering whether he anticipated dying in the attack. The shooter also asked his employer if he could take a day off on Saturday but said he would return to work perhaps as soon as Sunday, the day after this attack, according to law enforcement sources. But thus far, investigators have turned up nothing to suggest that he had any accomplices or other support to carry out his deadly objective."
After examining and unlocking his phone, the FBI found nothing noteworthy regarding the suspect’s intentions, only what insiders described as “routine” information for a 20-year-old male.
Investigators have not found any evidence indicating that he required collaborators or additional assistance to carry out his lethal goal.
In a statement, the Pennsylvania State Police noted that while they “were not responsible for securing the building or property” outside the security perimeter where the attempted assassination occurred, they did provide “all resources” to the Secret Service, including thirty to forty troopers to help secure the inner perimeter of the campaign rally venue in Butler Township, Pennsylvania.
U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle informed ABC News that while the gunman was on the roof shooting at Trump, local police were inside the building. Cheatle added that securing the structure was the responsibility of the local government.
“In this particular instance, we did share support for that particular site and that the Secret Service was responsible for the inner perimeter,” Cheatle said. “And then we sought assistance from our local counterparts for the outer perimeter.”
Following the federal protection agency's statement that local police were supposed to secure the building and rooftop used by the 20-year-old shooter, the head of the Fraternal Order of Police criticized the U.S. Secret Service.
The group’s president, Patrick Yoes, asserted that the Secret Service’s primary duty is to protect Trump wherever he is, including the Butler, Pa., venue where the assassination attempt occurred.
Yoes made his comments after the agency’s director, Kimberly Cheatle, reiterated that local police were supposed to secure that building.
“All of us want answers,” Yoes said in a statement, highlighting remarks by Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas that the security failure nearly resulted in Trump losing his life. “All of us in law enforcement can agree that the roof of the building should have been secured by law enforcement. It clearly was not.”
Fox News added:
The Secret Service has faced criticism after it was revealed that the alleged shooter managed to obtain an elevated shooting position just outside the rally’s security perimeter. Yoes emphasized that the agency relies on the support and assistance of local authorities for such events.
“Suggestions made in the media that suggest local agencies should play no role in assisting the USSS at events like that one in Butler simply do not know what they are talking about,” he said.
Yoes stated that the Secret Service will increasingly rely on local police agencies as the election approaches.