The Secret Service protecting Donald Trump was reportedly alerted by local police about a suspicious individual before the assassination attempt on the former president in Butler, Pennsylvania. The perpetrator, Thomas Matthew Crooks, opened fire on Trump during a rally, injuring him and killing Corey Comperatore.
Following the incident, concerns have been raised about security breach that allowed the gunman to reach a rooftop undetected. Attendees had flagged the suspect to local police for acting suspiciously near the event’s security checkpoints.
Local officers informed the Secret Service of their search for the individual, but the specifics of when this communication occurred in relation to the shooting are unclear. Questions have been raised about whether earlier intervention could have prevented the attack.
Kimberly Cheatle, Secret Service director, announced full cooperation with an independent review of security measures at the rally. The FBI is investigating the incident as a potential act of domestic terrorism, emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation.
President Biden has urged patience and trust in the ongoing investigative process, emphasizing the importance of allowing the FBI and partner agencies to determine the shooter’s motives. Cheatle is scheduled to address lawmakers in a congressional hearing on July 22 to provide further insight into the attempted assassination.