The Pennsylvania State Police Chief, Christopher Paris, revealed to the House Judiciary Committee that aside from Thomas Matthew Crooks, there were other suspicious individuals identified at the Butler, Pennsylvania event. When questioned by Rep. Andrew Garbarino, Paris confirmed that Crooks was not the sole suspicious person that day. He explained that Crooks was flagged for not matriculating and never made it past the secure perimeter.
During the event, law enforcement officials identified at least two other suspicious individuals, but Crooks became a priority after he was spotted with a rangefinder. Paris mentioned that a sniper took a photo of Crooks at 5:41 p.m., just before former President Donald Trump was scheduled to speak, and sent it to the “Sniper Group” chat. The suspicion escalated when Crooks was seen on the roof of a building near the podium where Trump was going to address the crowd. Despite an officer being assigned to monitor the roof, a whistleblower informed Sen. Josh Hawley that the officer left their post due to the intense heat.
Approximately 20 minutes later, Crooks fired shots from the roof, prompting security concerns. Paris clarified that there was no information indicating that Crooks was armed, but his behavior raised suspicions, especially since he was not moving into the venue and was seen walking around. Paris also mentioned the challenges faced that day, such as over 100 people requiring medical attention due to the heat and a missing six-year-old.
Although Fox News Digital attempted to reach out to local law enforcement in Butler, the USSS, and the Pennsylvania State Police for further details on any suspicious individuals identified at the rally, there was no immediate response.
In conclusion, the revelation of multiple suspicious individuals at the Butler rally highlights the complexities of ensuring security at large events. The vigilance of law enforcement and security personnel is crucial in identifying and addressing potential threats to public safety. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of thorough security measures and coordination among agencies to prevent such risks in the future.
