An Air Force veteran who attended former President Trump's campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13 has come forward with crucial observations regarding security lapses that preceded the tragic events that unfolded during the event.
Sarah Taylor, an 18-year veteran with service in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kuwait, recounted her experience at the rally, highlighting the unsettling security concerns she and her friend noticed before the assassination attempt took place.
Upon securing a spot approximately 100 yards from where the president was speaking, Taylor and her friend became wary of an adjacent building that gave off an eerie vibe. The building, later identified as the American Glass Research (AGR) building, served as the vantage point for the shooter, Thomas Crooks, during the attack.
Taylor's military background and keen sense of situational awareness prompted her to recognize the absence of law enforcement presence on the roof of the AGR building. Despite seeing some local police and state troopers patrolling the field outside the building, the lack of security measures on the rooftop raised red flags for Taylor.
Reflecting on her military training and overseas deployments, Taylor expressed her unease about the surroundings, stating, 'I had been in the military for 18 years, and something was not right about that area. I'm used to looking at my surroundings. I was deployed overseas — I knew something wasn't right.'
Her instincts proved to be crucial, as the events that followed tragically confirmed the security vulnerabilities she had identified. The assassination attempt resulted in one fatality and left two individuals critically wounded, underscoring the importance of robust security protocols at public events.
Taylor's account sheds light on the significance of thorough security assessments and vigilance in preventing potential threats, particularly in high-profile gatherings such as political rallies. Her testimony serves as a reminder of the critical role that security measures play in safeguarding public safety and preventing acts of violence.
