Gunman at Trump Rally Evaded Secret Service Detection

In a concerning incident at a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, a gunman managed to evade the Secret Service and local security measures prior to the former president's appearance. Nearly 100 minutes before Donald Trump took the stage on July 13, a local countersniper, part of the security detail, alerted his colleagues that his shift was ending. He expressed concern over a young man with long hair sitting on a picnic table outside the secured area, indicating that the individual could see the countersnipers positioned above. At 4:26 p.m., the countersniper sent a text warning his colleagues about the man, noting that he was aware of their presence. This early warning raised alarms about the potential threat posed by the individual, who was later identified as the gunman. By 5:10 p.m., the situation escalated as the young man moved closer to the countersnipers, positioning himself directly below them in a nearby warehouse. The countersniper documented the man's presence with photographs, which were later included in a law enforcement after-action report. This report, along with the text messages from the Beaver County Emergency Services Unit, was shared with The New York Times by Senator Charles E. Grassley’s office. The incident highlights significant lapses in security protocols at high-profile events, raising questions about the effectiveness of protective measures in place for public figures.