Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe expressed his concerns about a security failure revealed in a video taken by one of the victims, Jim Copenhaver, who was critically wounded in the assassination attempt on former President Trump. The video shows a figure moving on the roof of a building just minutes before the shooting at Trump’s rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Rowe admitted that there should have been better protection and coverage for the protectee, as the building was very close to the outer perimeter where Trump was speaking. The footage captured the person on the roof adjacent to where Trump was, walking from 6:08 p.m. to about 6:11 p.m. Officials believe that the shooter, Thomas Crooks, began firing three minutes later with an AR-15-style rifle.
Crooks was shot by counter snipers shortly after, and law enforcement found shell casings near his body. Other videos from rally attendees showed bystanders pointing out Crooks on the roof and law enforcement officers responding to the situation. The footage captured the tense moments leading up to the shooting, with law enforcement surrounding the building where Crooks was positioned.
The witness accounts of the shooting provided insight into the chaotic moments and the actions taken by law enforcement in response to the threat. The security lapses of the Secret Service have raised concerns, leading to congressional hearings to investigate how Crooks managed to climb onto the building undetected and attempt to assassinate a former president.
Overall, the video footage and witness testimonies shed light on the events that unfolded during the assassination attempt on former President Trump, highlighting the importance of adequate security measures and vigilance in protecting public figures during public events.
