Assassination bid at trump rally: Officer retreats, chaos ensues
Just before the assailant fired in the direction of Donald Trump, a local police officer stood face-to-face with the attacker, Thomas Crooks, on the rooftop, reports the Associated Press agency—crooks aimed at the officer, who then ducked for cover. Moments later, the attacker fired at the former U.S. president.
On Saturday, during Donald Trump's rally in Pennsylvania, there was an assassination attempt on his life. The former U.S. president was hit near his right ear while speaking on stage.
Secret Service agents reacted immediately, evacuating Trump from the scene. A local police officer spotted Thomas Crooks, who attempted to assassinate former president Donald Trump but failed to stop him, reports an anonymous source from the AP agency.
Assassination attempt on Donald Trump: Officer retreated
Upon spotting Crooks on the rooftop of the industrial facilities, merely 130 metres from the stage where Donald Trump was speaking, rally participants immediately alerted the police. One of the officers decided to climb a ladder to check what was happening. When he reached the rooftop, he saw Crooks aiming his AR-type rifle at him.
The officer retreated down the ladder. Crooks then promptly aimed and fired approximately eight shots towards the former president, hitting him in the ear. He killed one person and seriously injured two others. After this series of shots, Secret Service snipers immediately responded and shot the 20-year-old assailant.
Despite the quick response of the Secret Service, the agency responsible for protecting former and current presidents faced sharp criticism, mainly for allowing an armed assailant to take such a close position near Trump's rally.
Authorities relied on local police
After the shooting, the Secret Service confirmed that they primarily relied on local police. As the "New York Post" reported, local officers provided additional support besides the two Secret Service sniper teams within sight.
Despite the security measures, the 20-year-old assailant managed to get near Trump. Only a fortunate turn of the former president's head appeared to have prevented a fatal outcome.
