Thomas Matthew Crooks, the 20-year-old who attempted to assassinate President Trump at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, had hidden his weapon in advance, according to a Secret Service source. The exact hiding spot of the weapon remains unclear.
“We went from golf range finder to AR-15, and now we have to fill in the gap,” the source told Fox News.
Initially, Crooks was observed carrying a golf range finder and deemed a “person of interest” but not a “threat.” Range finders were not banned at the rally, although authorities are now reviewing the list of prohibited items. Crooks only became a significant threat when he was later seen with a weapon.
Four counter-sniper teams were stationed around the rally—two from the Secret Service and two from local law enforcement. When Crooks opened fire from the rooftop, two of these teams, one local and one federal, returned fire. A federal sharpshooter fatally struck Crooks seconds after the gunfire began.
During the attack, Crooks hit at least four people with AR-15 fire, killing 50-year-old Corey Comperatore and seriously wounding David Dutch, 57, and James Copenhaver, 74. The responsibility for securing the AGR building, from where Crooks opened fire, has been a point of contention among authorities throughout the week.
