Gunman Identified Before Attempted Assassination of Trump

In a recent testimony before the House Homeland Security Committee, Pennsylvania State Police Colonel Christopher Paris revealed that the gunman who attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump had raised suspicions prior to the shooting. Thomas Crooks, 20, was observed lingering around the venue of a July 13 campaign rally without attempting to enter, which caught the attention of law enforcement. The situation escalated when Crooks was seen with a rangefinder, a device typically used to measure distances, further heightening concerns. Paris noted that the Butler County Emergency Services Unit (ESU), responsible for securing the rally site, communicated their suspicions about Crooks to the state police, who then alerted the Secret Service. Despite these warnings, Crooks was not officially deemed a threat until moments before he opened fire. The gunfire resulted in injuries to Trump, the death of a rally attendee, and injuries to another individual. The testimony also highlighted the confusion surrounding security measures at the event. Paris mentioned that during a final security walkthrough two days prior, a commander inquired about the building's security, only to be informed that the Butler ESU was in charge. The Pennsylvania State Police had deployed 32 officers to assist the Secret Service, focusing on transporting Trump and securing the perimeter. The investigation into the shooting is ongoing, with the Pennsylvania State Police interviewing over 100 individuals and collecting approximately 1,000 pieces of evidence related to the incident.