PA - Assassination attempt, shooting injures former POTUS Donald Trump, leaves 1 spectator deceased two in critical condition, 13 July 2024 #2

[MassGuy]

ABC News now:

The staging area was inside the building the shooter climbed on.

Director of the secret service calls it “unacceptable,” and says it “shouldn’t happen again.”

She will not wait on an independent review, and make immediate changes to include expanded tactical support for Trump.

Shooter bought rounds online and in person in the days and weeks before.

Shooters house is still blocked off and they are going door to door speaking with neighbors. One neighbor who appeared to be the shooter’s age said that he thought his parents were nice people, and they said hi in passing. He didn’t know anything about the shooter though, who he says kept to himself.

 

[Arkay]

I posted the law a couple of times it doesn't delineate a reduced protection.

Now the secret service might try to spend that story, but that is not what the law states. The only loophole I found is if a president declines coverage and Trump has not denied coverage.

Moo

Yes, the law states that former presidents and presidential candidates within the 120 day framework must receive protection.

However, as the article explains, the LEVEL of protection and how many agents are deemed necessary is determined by Homeland Security, and by how severe the Secret Service determines the threat to be in the case of a former president.

The article goes on to say that typically there are four agents in three round-the-clock shifts, so 12, but that George W. Bush received so many threats that he was given a complement of 75 agents altogether.

The fault here would lie then with whomever determined how many agents were necessary for Trump. Of course one more agent on that roof would have negated this entire situation.

 

[Seattle1]

The metal detectors were to get inside the venue itself. Although he allegedly was spotted near them, he ultimately fired from outside the perimeter.

Regardless of where he shot from, I can't imagine anybody walking around the grounds with a rifle slung over their shoulder and where this wouldn't draw immediate attention! But I've never been to PA or a Trump rally.

Also, I've never read he was sited with a gun anyplace but on the roof top. Reports that he was looking nervous near the magnetometer did not include he was carrying a gun.

I'm still wondering if he planted the rifle somewhere near the building until he was ready to climb up on the roof. IMO, he didn't spend more than 5 mins on the roof before his life ended. It had to be miserably hot up there! JMO

 

[lonetraveler]

I watch the video over a hundred times Friday night. I'm glad you mentioned the height and I'm not the only one who noticed.

When Trump first stood up, I noticed he was extremely pale, white, when he raised his fist his color began to return. There were no SS in front of him. They left him wide open and that's on the secret service. The female agent came from behind the others, push that podium out of the way and immediately went to the front and covered him. I also noticed she had her arm around his waist and appeared to be supporting/bearing some of his weight going down the steps. I think she did an outstanding job!!! We were still able to see Trump's head because he towered over her. I just didn't understand why one of those tall men didn't step in front of Trump, they were all behind him.

Once they arrived at the vehicle, she shoved him in the vehicle and slammed the door and held her hand on the door. Another female agent, beside her, with weapon draw, until the door was shut.

I was of proud of these two young ladies. I agree, they need all tall agents, due to Trump's height.

Moo...
ETA ... The link shows the shooting and the trip to the car about Midway through

https://www.today.com/video/secret-service-in-the-spotlight-after-trump-shooting-at-rally-214859845747

I agree, the female agents were right on it and did an amazing job. Unfortunately, they, like me look to be about five feet tall and I agree that since Trump is tall, that the plan should have considered his height when putting the group of SS together. JMO

 

[photoprose1122]

It could have also been seen as someone exercising his Constitutional right to bear arms. Trump and the GOP in general support gun owners' rights including open carry, etc. So I would guess that some might not have seen it as necessarily alarming. Imo.


From earlier this year:

https://www.reuters.com/legal/pennsylvania-cannot-bar-adults-under-21-carrying-guns-court-rules-2024-01-18/

"A federal appeals court on Thursday ruled that Pennsylvania laws that ban 18- to 20-year-olds from carrying firearms in public during a state of emergency are unconstitutional, citing a landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling that expanded gun rights."

Maybe it’s just me but I live in Texas where probably 95% of gun owners live (exaggerated statistic - I don’t actually know), and I still would find it alarming to see a guy carrying an AR-15.

 

[photoprose1122]

I think there might be an age barrier if he borrowed a handgun versus the rifle. For some reason you have to be 21 to possess/transport a handgun but only 18 for a rife.

Yeah I don’t understand that law at all.

 

[JerseyWasHome2]

Earlier we read no ladder was involved, and now CNN is reporting he purchased one at HD that morning…

CNN —
In the 48 hours before he opened fire on former President Donald Trump, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks made a series of stops in and around his suburban Pittsburgh hometown.

On Friday, he went to a shooting range where he was a member, and practiced firing, a law enforcement official told CNN. The next morning, Crooks went to a Home Depot, where he bought a five-foot ladder, and a gun store, where he purchased 50 rounds of ammunition, the official said.

https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/15/us/thomas-crooks-trump-rally-shooting-invs/index.html

 

[formerlyme]

Maybe it’s just me but I live in Texas where probably 95% of gun owners live (exaggerated statistic - I don’t actually know), and I still would find it alarming to see a guy carrying an AR-15.

I have seen it here in AZ on more than one occasion and yes, as vls12345 said it is often someone exercising their Constitutional right to bear arms. however I would feel that at a Political rally that would be frowned on. (and although it is legal I do find it alarming)

 

[formerlyme]

Earlier we read no ladder was involved, and now CNN is reporting he purchased one at HD that morning…

CNN —
In the 48 hours before he opened fire on former President Donald Trump, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks made a series of stops in and around his suburban Pittsburgh hometown.

On Friday, he went to a shooting range where he was a member, and practiced firing, a law enforcement official told CNN. The next morning, Crooks went to a Home Depot, where he bought a five-foot ladder, and a gun store, where he purchased 50 rounds of ammunition, the official said.

https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/15/us/thomas-crooks-trump-rally-shooting-invs/index.html

ok, he had to look suspicious carrying a ladder, but then again there is video of him climbing on the roof so I guess nothing is really surprising anymore.

 

[lonetraveler]

Not that we expect people to behave correctly after being shot at, but it seemed to me that Trump should have got down sooner. And stayed down. After all, they didn't know if there were other shooters in the area.

It was perplexing to me. <modsnip: not victim friendly>

MOO, based on viewing the videos.

I would imagine that he was stunned when something hit his ear, heard the gunshots and realized he had been shot.

 

[Ruminations]

And another thing. Why would an officer call it in as a suspicious person? Just go put the guy in cuffs if he is in a building with no reason. Do LE officers have brains anymore?

On what charge?

If it's legal to walk around with an assault rifle it's legal to walk around with an assault rifle.

Law enforcement can only enforce existing laws, they can't invent them.

Now, if it were not legal to carry any gun, or if that sort of assault rifle were not legal, LE would have more than "suspicious person" to go on.

MOO

 

[photoprose1122]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1812974834533507210

I expect we’ll see a resignation from her in the future. Not that I think she should or that all blame should be placed on her - but in these kinds of situations someone always ends up falling on their sword, to appease public outcry.

 

[lonetraveler]

ok, he had to look suspicious carrying a ladder, but then again there is video of him climbing on the roof so I guess nothing is really surprising anymore.

Yes, I'm really curious if he put the ladder into place the day or two before.

 

[MassGuy]

Earlier we read no ladder was involved, and now CNN is reporting he purchased one at HD that morning…

CNN —
In the 48 hours before he opened fire on former President Donald Trump, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks made a series of stops in and around his suburban Pittsburgh hometown.

On Friday, he went to a shooting range where he was a member, and practiced firing, a law enforcement official told CNN. The next morning, Crooks went to a Home Depot, where he bought a five-foot ladder, and a gun store, where he purchased 50 rounds of ammunition, the official said.

https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/15/us/thomas-crooks-trump-rally-shooting-invs/index.html

Ok, that ladder thing tells us that he had likely scoped out the area beforehand, and knew he'd need it. So he was either there in the days prior, or used Google Earth or something. I tend to think he was there in person, as he happened to pick the perfect spot with which to view the stage.

 

[Simply Southern]

Yes, the law states that former presidents and presidential candidates within the 120 day framework must receive protection.

However, as the article explains, the LEVEL of protection and how many agents are deemed necessary is determined by Homeland Security, and by how severe the Secret Service determines the threat to be in the case of a former president.

The article goes on to say that typically there are four agents in three round-the-clock shifts, so 12, but that George W. Bush received so many threats that he was given a complement of 75 agents altogether.

The fault here would lie then with whomever determined how many agents were necessary for Trump. Of course one more agent on that roof would have negated this entire situation.

Yes Homeland Security is the oversight agency for the secret service. It would be interesting to understand how they interpret the law.

What I would like to see, is the Trump plan compared to the plan and number of agents in service for Jill Bidens event and a separate campaign event for Kamala Harris, in Pennsylvania on the same day.

Moo

 

[formerlyme]

I expect we’ll see a resignation from her in the future. Not that I think she should or that all blame should be placed on her - but in these kinds of situations someone always ends up falling on their sword, to appease public outcry.

The safest way would be to eliminate in person rally's and that will not happen, politicians like to kiss babies and shake hands, be in person. What would be enough security? enact the national guard ( I can only imagine the financial cost)? the agencies have to rely on each other and with modern threats there is just no way to guarantee absolute safety. If someone wants to wreck havoc and puts enough effort into it they will. Hindsight is 20/20. I think LE did what they could with what they had and there could have been a lot more loss of life.

 

[lonetraveler]

What's strange is it normal after a shooting on TV to look for your AR-15 and son?
I am not sure I even know what "normal" behavior is anymore.

I think it is a bit suspicious that he immediately thought of his son and rifle.

 

[photoprose1122]

Watching the ABC News exclusive now with the SS Director.
She’s not going to resign.

Also, how did I miss this - local police were INSIDE the building as the shooter was up on the roof?

What? Why were they inside when Trump was already on stage?

Ah, I spoke too soon apparently about the possibility of her resigning.

 

[formerlyme]

Yes Homeland Security is the oversight agency for the secret service. It would be interesting to understand how they interpret the law.

What I would like to see, is the Trump plan compared to the plan and number of agents in service for Jill Bidens event and a separate event for Kamala Harris campaign events, in Pennsylvania on the same day.

Moo

I am sure there are different protocols for actively in office and entourage and formerly in office. Also they take into account the threats made against someone. I feel DT protection detail would be more accurately compared to BUSH or CLINTON.

 

[Knox]

yes, but statements have been made that they saw him walking around the event with the gun... I have seen no proof supporting that, if that were true , he would have passed through the detectors and there is no way that happened.

Key word, "around" the event. From all I've seen, the eye-witnesses who have been interviewed were outside the venue.
IMO, he was seen walking the perimeter.

Regardless of where he shot from, I can't imagine anybody walking around the grounds with a rifle slung over their shoulder and where this wouldn't draw immediate attention! But I've never been to PA or a Trump rally.

Also, I've never read he was sited with a gun anyplace but on the roof top. Reports that he was looking nervous near the magnetometer did not include he was carrying a gun.

I'm still wondering if he planted the rifle somewhere near the building until he was ready to climb up on the roof. IMO, he didn't spend more than 5 mins on the roof before his life ended. It had to be miserably hot up there! JMO

@Seattle1 - I've been looking for a layout that would show the ingress/egress/location of magnetometer, but no luck.
Specifically since it was near the magnetometer location, where it is said he first drew attention to himself (pacing).

If anyone comes across this layout, please post.