A local law enforcement officer in Butler County, Pennsylvania, spotted a suspicious man carrying a range-finder near the venue where former President Donald Trump was holding a rally. The officer reported the sighting to state police after taking a photo of the individual. There was a discussion among authorities about whether the item the man was carrying was a pair of binoculars for better viewing of the rally.
During Trump's speech, a 20-year-old assailant identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks opened fire, injuring the former president and causing fatal injuries to a 50-year-old father of two. Two other spectators were also wounded in the attack. The Secret Service responded swiftly, with a counter-sniper neutralizing the threat posed by the shooter.
Reports indicate that Crooks was initially seen without a gun approximately 30 minutes before the attack took place. It remains unclear how long he had been positioned on the roof before carrying out the violent act.
State police have not yet provided a formal comment on the sequence of events as described by the law enforcement source. The incident has raised concerns about security measures at public events and the need for vigilance in identifying potential threats.
