Figure: Schematic diagram of the location where Trump was assassinated.

According to reports from the New York Post and CNN: Former US President Trump was stabbed and bleeding at a campaign event on the 13th. The Secret Service, which was responsible for security, was criticized for dereliction of duty. A series of subsequent investigations were launched, and more and more security loopholes were revealed. US media quoted sources as saying that the roof of the building where the 20-year-old gunman Crooks shot Trump was actually the “outpost” of the local police anti-sniper team, but it is unknown why the police did not take action. Three days after the shooting, law enforcement agencies have not yet found the gunman’s motive for committing the crime.

Before campaign events, the Secret Service routinely checks nearby businesses and buildings and works with local law enforcement to monitor buildings outside the security cordon to ensure there are no security risks. A Secret Service spokesman said four counter-sniper teams were deployed at Trump’s rally, two from the Secret Service and two from local law enforcement.

The New York Post quoted a source saying that a local police anti-sniper unit was stationed in the building of the American Glass Research Company (AGR) where the gunman was. It is said that the sniper team used the building as a “sentry post” to scan for any threats nearby in order to monitor the campaign event podium 140 meters away. This also explains why there was an unobstructed commanding height near the canvassing site.

Gunman used AR-15 to scare off police

However, Crooks climbed onto the roof of the police sniper team’s “outpost” without any hindrance. It was revealed that about half an hour before Crooks shot Trump, local police had spotted Crooks and took photos. Even a few minutes before the shooting, a Butler police officer climbed onto the roof with the help of his colleagues, but after Crooks threatened him with an AR-15 rifle, the police officer quickly chose to retreat for safety.

In addition to the police, witnesses who attended the campaign event said that they found someone crawling on the roof a few minutes before the incident and notified law enforcement officers. However, the gunman still successfully fired bullets at Trump and was finally killed by a Secret Service sniper.

The responsibilities of the on-site security are unclear, and the Secret Service and local police are shirking responsibility. It is not yet known why the police in the building did not take any action, how the Secret Service snipers communicated, or who gave the order to sniper. Sources said that the police did not climb onto the roof because they were worried that it would interfere with the Secret Service snipers.

US President Biden has requested an independent assessment of the security measures for the rally. The FBI, Secret Service, and Department of Homeland Security are said to be among those under investigation. Republican Congressman Cuomo of Kentucky, chairman of the House Oversight Committee, has summoned Secret Service Director Chettle to attend a hearing on July 22.

The motive for the premeditated crime is still unclear

Law enforcement agencies recently conducted a thorough investigation into the family background of 20-year-old gunman Crooks, but have not yet found any specific clues to the motive of the crime.

The FBI issued a statement on Monday saying that it had thoroughly investigated the gunman’s residence, computer, mobile phone and Internet search history, but found nothing. Crooks seemed to be only interested in writing computer programs and playing games, which made it difficult for investigators to understand his motives. The gunman did not seem to have close friends on a daily basis, nor did he reveal his political inclinations. On January 21, 2021, the day Biden was sworn in as president, he donated $15 to Democratic-related groups, but registered as a Republican voter a year later and voted in the 2022 midterm elections. Crooks’ parents said their son had not shown any extreme behavior or related ideas in the past.

CNN compiled the whereabouts of the gunman 48 hours before the incident, showing that everything was premeditated. On July 12, the day before the incident, Crooks went to the shooting range of the gun club where he was a member for training. On the morning of the incident, he bought a ladder and 50 rounds of ammunition, and drove an hour in the afternoon to Butler, where the campaign rally was held.

Law enforcement sources said there were signs that the attack could have been more destructive. Crooks had a remote control on him, and in the trunk of his car, which was parked near the rally, there was a metal box with explosives connected to a receiver with wires. This showed that the gunman might have intended to remotely detonate the explosives or distract the outside world during the shooting. In addition to considering political reasons, the police also changed their investigation from the perspective of emotional frustration and property theft.

The gunman’s whereabouts before the attack

Gunman practiced at shooting range before attack

Buy 50 rounds of ammunition

Morning of July 12 (the day before the crime)

The gunman went to the shooting range “Clayton Sportsman Club” to practice shooting. It is about 25 minutes’ drive from Crooks’ home, and he and his father are members.

July 13 (the day of the crime)

morning

Crooks went to a home furnishings retailer to buy a ladder and then to a gun store to buy 50 rounds of ammunition.

afternoon

After driving for about an hour, they arrived at Butler, where Trump’s rally was held. The gunman parked his car outside the venue, with an improvised explosive device hidden in the trunk and a remote control with him.

Crooks then used a newly purchased ladder to climb onto the roof of the nearby AGR International factory, took out an AR-15 rifle borrowed from his father, and fired at Trump. It is reported that he lied to his father that he was going to a shooting range in order to successfully borrow the gun that his father had legally purchased.