A Pennsylvania police officer testified before lawmakers on Thursday about how a local officer’s bullet ultimately stopped failed assassination attempt shooter Thomas Crooks before the U.S. Secret Service fatally shot him. Adams Township Police Department Sgt. Edward Lenz’s testimony came during a hearing before the House Trump Assassination Attempt Task Force, which is investigating the shooting of former President Donald Trump on July 13, the first of two recent assassination attempts against him.
Sgt. Lenz, a commander with the Butler County Emergency Services Unit (ESU), revealed that the quick reaction force, three sniper teams, and support personnel provided a total manpower of 44 individuals, exceeding the number requested by the Secret Service. However, the Butler County ESU was not asked to secure the AGR complex or deploy a sniper team to the roof of the AGR complex during the planning process.
Despite this, a member of the quick response force noticed several suspicious individuals in the area, one of whom turned out to be the shooter, Thomas Crooks. A Beaver County sniper captured a photo of the suspicious male near the AGR building and a photo of Crooks using a range finder pointing toward the stage. This information was reported to the Pennsylvania State Police, leading to swift action to neutralize the threat.
When it became clear that a threat was on the roof of the AGR building, an operator with Butler County ESU identified the shooter, fired a round at Crooks with his rifle, causing the shooter to briefly fall out of sight. The Secret Service counter sniper then fired the fatal shot that neutralized Crooks on the roof of the AGR building, where he had a direct line of sight to Trump.
The FBI previously stated that the Secret Service counter sniper fired the fatal round that killed Crooks approximately 15.5 seconds after Crooks began shooting. The local officer’s round did not hit Crooks, according to FBI Special Agent in Charge Kevin Rojek. Testimony from three local Pennsylvania law enforcement officials, including Sgt. Lenz, shed light on the events leading up to the assassination attempt and the response from security teams.
Witnesses largely suggested that the lack of direction given to local agencies by the Secret Service contributed to security failures that allowed Crooks to position himself on a nearby rooftop and fire at the former president, as well as fatally injure a rally attendee. The Task Force heard from a medical examiner who conducted Crooks’ autopsy and a retired Secret Service agent, all of whom provided valuable insights into the events of that fateful day.
Subheadings:
Law Enforcement Response and Tactics
Sgt. Lenz detailed the coordinated efforts of law enforcement personnel in responding to the assassination attempt on former President Trump. From identifying the shooter to taking decisive action, officers worked diligently to neutralize the threat and protect the public.
Challenges Faced by Security Teams
The testimonies of witnesses highlighted the challenges faced by security teams in providing adequate protection for high-profile individuals like President Trump. The lack of clear direction and communication from the Secret Service raised concerns about the effectiveness of security protocols in place.
Lessons Learned and Future Security Measures
In the aftermath of the assassination attempt, lawmakers and law enforcement agencies are reflecting on the lessons learned and discussing potential enhancements to security measures. The importance of collaboration and communication between federal, state, and local agencies is being emphasized to prevent similar incidents in the future.