Emergency Services Understaffed Ahead of Trump Rally Amid Assassination Attempt

Newly released text messages reveal significant understaffing among Beaver County emergency services prior to a rally for former President Trump, where an attempted assassination occurred, resulting in the death of a spectator. The communications among team leaders highlighted concerns about the lack of available personnel just days before the event, which took place in Butler County on July 13. A request for assistance was sent on July 8, prompting discussions about potentially being "on call" rather than fully deployed. The situation escalated when Thomas Crooks, the would-be assassin, positioned himself on a warehouse rooftop, an area not covered by the snipers assigned to the event. An after-action report from Beaver County confirmed that while their sniper was stationed nearby, Crooks' location was overlooked. Approximately an hour before the shooting, snipers observed Crooks at a picnic table, with one reporting he was using a range finder aimed at the stage. As the event unfolded, local officers struggled to track Crooks' movements. Just minutes before he opened fire, they expressed uncertainty about his whereabouts, indicating he was likely hiding against a building. The shooting occurred at 6:12 p.m., shortly after these communications. Oversight of the incident is currently under review by Senator Grassley’s office, as investigations continue into the security lapses that allowed the assassination attempt to take place.