The shooting at former President Donald Trump’s recent rally has highlighted critical lapses in security protocols. Thomas Crooks, the shooter who killed a spectator and injured Trump and two others, was identified as a person of interest well before the attack. Despite this, Crooks was able to pass through Secret Service security with a suspicious device, raising serious questions about the effectiveness of the security measures in place.
According to journalist Curtis Houck, Crooks was seen carrying a rangefinder, a device used by shooters to measure distances for long-range shots. Despite the suspicious nature of the device, security allowed him to proceed. “He went through Secret Service security WITH his rangefinder and scoped out the snipers, who spotted him and said they need to keep an eye on him,” Houck reported.
Crooks’ actions leading up to the shooting further indicate premeditation. He requested time off from his nursing home job, telling coworkers he would see them on Sunday. Additionally, he had detonators, three fully loaded magazines, and a bulletproof vest with him on the roof where he eventually opened fire.
A video posted by CNN’s John Miller detailed Crooks’ activities before the shooting. Miller described how Crooks’ rangefinder caught the attention of security near the magnetometer area where people were being screened. Although he did not have a weapon, the rangefinder was flagged, and security was instructed to monitor him. Crooks then left the secure area and did not reappear until he was seen crawling on the roof with a rifle.
Miller highlighted a chilling moment when Crooks was observed using the rangefinder to look at counter-sniper positions. One counter-sniper noticed Crooks looking through the rangefinder at them. “He’s looking at us looking at him,” Miller noted, illustrating the eerie standoff.
Further complicating the situation, Crooks’ car contained two remote-controlled IEDs and the remote controls for those devices were found on him. Authorities also discovered additional ammunition and a bulletproof vest in his possession. These findings suggest that Crooks may have planned a broader attack or escape.
The Secret Service has faced criticism for these security failures. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle pointed out that local police were responsible for securing the building from which Crooks fired. “There was local police in that building – there was local police in the area that were responsible for the outer perimeter of the building,” Cheatle stated.
The incident has led to increased scrutiny of the coordination between the Secret Service and local law enforcement agencies. As investigations continue, the focus will likely be on addressing these security gaps to prevent future incidents of this nature.
