Law Enforcement Details Timeline of Trump Assassination Attempt
- US Secret Service snipers spotted a shooter on the roof before gunfire erupted at a rally for former President Trump.
- There was a 20-minute gap between the sighting and when shots were actually fired.
- This raises questions about the security measures in place during high-profile events.
Law enforcement officials provided lawmakers with critical details regarding the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, revealing a 20-minute gap between the initial sighting of the gunman, identified as Crooks, and the shots fired at Trump. FBI Director Christopher Wray and Secret Service officials disclosed that Crooks was recognized as a person of interest 62 minutes prior to the shooting, raising questions about the response time of security personnel. Crooks was first spotted on a rooftop at 5:52 p.m., and the shooting occurred shortly thereafter. Law enforcement sources indicated that Crooks fired his first shot just 26 seconds before he was neutralized by Secret Service snipers. Although Crooks had reportedly purchased a ladder before the incident, it was not found at the scene, leading investigators to believe it was not used to access the roof from which he fired. The situation was complicated by the presence of local police and counter-sniper units inside the AGR building, which was being used as a staging area. This led to confusion among Secret Service snipers, who had to assess the threat level before responding. Despite a request for a local police cruiser to be stationed at the AGR building, local officials were unable to fulfill this request. Additionally, investigators discovered a remote transmitter in Crooks' possession, which may have been intended to detonate suspicious devices found in his vehicle and home. The Pennsylvania State Police stated they provided ample resources for the rally's security but clarified they were not responsible for the area outside the designated security perimeter where the shooting occurred.