The Secret Service has placed blame on local police for failing to secure the rooftop from which an assailant fired gunshots at former US President Donald Trump during a campaign rally. The incident occurred at the Butler Farm Show grounds in Pennsylvania, where Trump was delivering a speech. The assailant, identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, was stationed on the roof of a manufacturing plant, approximately 130 yards away from the stage.
According to the New York Times, the Secret Service representative, Anthony Gugliemi, stated that the area where the shots were fired was outside their security coverage range. The agency maintained that securing and patrolling the grounds of AGR International Inc., the manufacturing plant in question, was the responsibility of local Pennsylvania police.
Crooks allegedly used a firearm purchased by his father in the incident. The Secret Service’s statement highlights the importance of comprehensive security measures and the need for effective coordination between federal and local law enforcement agencies during high-profile events. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of public figures and the critical role of security protocols in ensuring their safety.
