Possible assassination attempt on Trump: Could a tall tree have hidden the shooter from security at rally? | US News

A gunman was able to get close enough to Donald Trump to shoot him due to a “fundamental security failure” at the scene of the assassination attempt, as analyzed by Sky News. The site of the incident in Butler, Pennsylvania, was obstructed by a large tree, preventing the closest armed protection unit from having a clear line of sight to the shooter.

Despite two armed units being present on warehouses behind Mr. Trump, only the unit further away from the shooter had a direct view of him. The gunman, Thomas Matthew Crooks, fired multiple rounds at Mr. Trump from a warehouse approximately 130-140m away before being killed by Secret Service agents.

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While Mr. Trump sustained a minor injury in the ear during the attack, one spectator was killed, and two others were seriously wounded. Security experts highlighted the security lapse that allowed the gunman to carry out the attack, emphasizing the importance of pre-event research and real-time surveillance of potential threat locations.

Steve Nottingham, a former Special Weapons and Tactics team commander, criticized the security lapse, emphasizing the importance of covering potential threat locations pre-event. He highlighted the breakdown in pre-event research and real-time monitoring that allowed the gunman to get close to Mr. Trump.

The Secret Service, responsible for protecting the former president, faced scrutiny for overlooking the gunman’s presence on an elevated position within rifle range of the rally site. Retired ATF agent Jim Cavanaugh expressed surprise at how the gunman was able to occupy an elevated position with a clear shot at Mr. Trump.

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Despite the challenges in securing public venues against determined attackers, Pennsylvania State Police Lieutenant Colonel George Bivens defended the security measures in place, acknowledging the difficulty of fully securing an open venue from all potential threats.

FBI special agent Kevin Rojek revealed that law enforcement was unaware of the gunman on the rooftop until he opened fire. Trump supporters at the rally witnessed the incident and saw Secret Service agents reacting swiftly to protect Mr. Trump from harm.

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