OPINION| In a stunning turn of events, the Pennsylvania Police Commissioner, Colonel Christopher L. Paris, has revealed that three additional individuals were identified as “suspicious” prior to the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. This revelation comes amidst a series of hearings and investigations into the security failures that allowed the gunman, Thomas Matthew Crooks, to open fire on an outdoor campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024.
According to the Commissioner’s testimony before the House Homeland Security Committee, these three individuals were seen acting suspiciously in the vicinity of the rally site before the shooting occurred. While the identities and motives of these individuals remain unclear, their presence raises serious questions about the adequacy of security measures and the potential involvement of others in the assassination attempt.
The revelation of these additional suspicious individuals adds a new layer of complexity to an already troubling incident. The shooting, which resulted in the death of former fire chief Corey Comperatore, 50, and the injury of two others, has sparked widespread outrage and concern over the safety of political figures and the general public.
The Pennsylvania State Police, in collaboration with federal and local law enforcement agencies, are now working tirelessly to investigate the identities and motives of these three individuals. Their findings could have far-reaching implications for the ongoing investigation into the assassination attempt and the broader issue of political violence in the United States.
According to the timeline provided by the local law enforcement:
At 5:10pm on July 13, 2024, nearly one hour before former President Trump was shot, one of two local law enforcement snipers (hereafter AGR sniper 1) positioned in the AGR building observed the shooter, Crooks, for the first time. Local law enforcement told Senator Johnson’s office that at the time, even though Crooks did not have a weapon, he seemed suspicious.
At 5:14pm AGR sniper 1 took at least two pictures of Crooks (one of the pictures appears to show Crooks on his phone).
At 5:28pm, AGR sniper 1 took a picture of a bicycle and backpack near the AGR building (it is unclear whether these items are associated with Crooks).
At 5:32pm, AGR sniper 1 saw Crooks again near the AGR building apparently looking at news feeds on his phone and holding a range finder, according to information reported to Senator Johnson’s office. Shortly after, AGR sniper 1 reported the suspect to a group text of other law enforcement snipers on site and was instructed to report the suspect to command.
At 5:41pm AGR sniper 1 called into command to report the suspect and described the suspect’s appearance and notes that he has a range finder. At 5:45pm AGR sniper 1 texted the Beaver ESU Group Command about the suspect and instructed them to relay the message to command. At 5:59pm, a Beaver County law enforcement operator received confirmation from a Butler County SWAT commander that command, which included Secret Service, was made aware of the messages and requested more information about the suspect’s location.
To date, there are public reports that a “counter sniper flagged a suspicious man using a rangefinder to the Secret Service some 20 minutes before a gunman opened fire” at the rally.7 The information obtained by Senator Johnson’s office appears to confirm these reports but raises further questions about what the Secret Service did with this information, why Secret Service did not immediately send agents to the AGR building, and, perhaps most importantly, why former President Trump was allowed to go on stage.
As the investigation unfolds, many are left wondering how these individuals managed to slip through the cracks and what their presence might mean for the safety of political rallies and events in the future. The revelation has also reignited the debate over the role of law enforcement in protecting public figures and the need for increased security measures at political gatherings.
During Tuesday’s congressional hearing, Representative Nick Lalota (R-NY) questioned Colonel Paris about this chain of events.
Rep Lalota:
Colonel Paris, you’re the Commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police Department?
Colonel Paris:
Yes, sir, I am.
Rep Lalota:
And your testimony, sir, is that approximately 25 minutes before the first shots were fired, that local law enforcement officers identified Crooks as suspicious?
Colonel Paris:
Yes, sir. He stood out because he never made his way to a point of ingress to the venue.
Rep Lalota:
Were there other folks who were also in the crowd identified as suspicious by law enforcement?
Colonel Paris:
Yes, there were multiple individuals identified as suspicious, which is consistent with normal operations for a detail like this.
Rep Lalota:
Can we take that as a single-digit number of other folks?
Colonel Paris:
The number that I was briefed on was single-digit.
Rep Lalota:
What number were you briefed on?
Colonel Paris:
I believe I was briefed on an additional three individuals.
Rep Lalota:
Okay, so Crooks plus three.
Colonel Paris:
As suspicious, yes, sir.
BREAKING: An additional THREE individuals identified as suspicious! pic.twitter.com/ihbUHIkMNA
— ULTRA MAGA PARTY 👑 (@MaxEvansUMP) July 23, 2024
In the wake of this shocking revelation, many Trump supporters are expressing their outrage and concern over the safety of their beloved leader. The incident has served as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by political figures and the importance of ensuring their safety in an increasingly polarized political climate.
As the investigation continues, it is essential that law enforcement agencies remain vigilant in their efforts to identify and apprehend any individuals who pose a threat to the safety of political figures and the general public. The safety of our leaders and the integrity of our democratic process depend on it.
In conclusion, the revelation of three additional suspicious individuals prior to the Trump assassination attempt is a sobering reminder of the challenges faced by law enforcement in an increasingly complex and dangerous world. As we await further developments in the investigation, it is our collective responsibility to remain vigilant and united in our efforts to protect the safety and security of our leaders and our democracy.
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