Security errors, lapses, and missed opportunities led to the first shooting of a US president or former president in more than a generation. Several issues and problems were identified that could have been addressed before the attack on former President Donald Trump.
The building used by the gunman was outside the 'hard perimeter' set by the United States Secret Service, allowing the shooter to reach the roof and have a clear line of sight to where the former president stood. Snipers from the Butler County Emergency Services Unit were unaware of the gunman on the roof, positioned on the second floor watching the rally crowd.
Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle stated that the Secret Service was solely responsible for the security at the rally, with local police responsible for the outer perimeter. Attendees noticed the gunman on the roof nearly two minutes before the shots were fired, but law enforcement was unable to locate him in time.
Local law enforcement had spotted the shooter near the magnetometers and alerted the Secret Service, but he was not seen again until people outside the event reported him on the rooftop. Butler Township police officers responded to calls about a suspicious person near the rally and attempted to apprehend him on the roof, but the gunman pointed his gun at an officer, forcing them to take cover.
These security failures highlight the need for improved coordination and communication between law enforcement agencies to prevent such incidents in the future. The investigation into the shooting continues as authorities work to determine the full extent of the lapses that allowed the gunman to carry out the attack.
