Suspect with Laser Rangefinder Arrested at Trump Rally Three Hours Pre-Shooting

The 20-year-old man who shot former President Donald Trump at a Pennsylvania rally on Saturday aroused suspicions from law enforcement hours before the attack. Thomas Matthew Crooks arrived at the event’s security screening three hours early, drawing attention when law enforcement found a laser rangefinder on him.

Rangefinders, often used in hunting, long-distance shooting, and golf, resemble small binoculars and measure the distance to a target. One of the counter-sniper teams noticed Crooks monitoring their position with the rangefinder, prompting them to keep an eye on him.

Before heading to the rally, Crooks visited a Home Depot where he purchased a ladder. He used the ladder to climb onto a roof approximately 450 feet from where Trump was standing on stage. During the shooting, Crooks struck Trump in the ear and hit several crowd members.

Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY) criticized the Secret Service’s handling of the situation, calling their briefing to Senators a "100% cover-your-a** briefing." Barrasso emphasized, “He was identified as being suspicious one hour before the shooting. He had a rangefinder and a backpack. The Secret Service lost sight of him. No one has taken responsibility. No one has been held responsible. Someone has died. The president was almost killed. The head of the Secret Service needs to go.”

Local law enforcement warned the Secret Service prior to the rally that they lacked the resources to station a patrol car outside the building Crooks used to gain rooftop access. Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger confirmed that the Secret Service "was informed that the local police department did not have the manpower to assist with securing that building."

A Secret Service official acknowledged Goldinger’s claims, noting that having officers posted outside buildings is crucial for preventing potential assassins from gaining advantageous positions. Video analysis by The Washington Post showed police were warned at least 86 seconds before the shooting began.

Despite these warnings, the Secret Service failed to prevent the shooting. Secret Service Director Kim Cheatle has stated she will not resign following the agency’s failure to stop the attack.

The incident underscores significant lapses in security measures and raises questions about the coordination between local law enforcement and federal agencies in protecting high-profile individuals.

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