Trump assassination - Security forces considered an hour before the act as suspicious
New Insights from the investigation into the assassination attempt on Ex-US President Donald Trump increase pressure on the security forces. Local security personnel had flagged the suspect in the crowd an hour before Trump's protector fired, as reported by the "New York Times." The Secret Service, which protects the Ex-President, was also informed. However, the trail of the suspect was then lost.
At least two security personnel were called in to help with the search. Roughly 20 minutes before the shots were fired, a sniper had reportedly spotted the assailant on a roof, according to further reports. Why the rally continued and Trump went on stage is one of many open questions for the Secret Service, wrote the "New York Times." The newspaper reported, citing Congressmen, that they had been briefed by law enforcement about the status of the investigation earlier.
The suspect had a backpack and a range-measuring device with him, Senator John Barrasso of Wyoming wrote on X.
More Details about the Assassination Attempt on Donald Trump
The assailant was shot dead 26 seconds after his first shot, reported ABC News. On his phone, he had searched for the Trump rally's schedule as well as photos of Trump and US President Joe Biden before the attack. The shooter had reportedly visited the venue at least once before the event, reported CBS News.
Uncertainties remain in the US media regarding the question of securing the building from which the shooter fired. Two days before the event, local security personnel informed the Secret Service that they would not be able to secure the building due to a personnel shortage, as CBS News further reported.
Trump, 78, was shot and injured in the ear at a campaign rally in the state of Pennsylvania on Saturday. The FBI identified the shooter later as Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old man from Pennsylvania.
The investigation revealed that a sharpshooter, later identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, had a range-measuring device and had searched for the rally's schedule and photos of both Donald Trump and the current US-President, Joe Biden, before the attack. The Secret Service faces criticism for not securing the building from which Crooks allegedly fired, as local security personnel had warned of a personnel shortage two days prior.
