Last Saturday, a chilling incident unfolded in Butler County, Pennsylvania, as a 20-year-old man, later identified as Thomas Krooks, accessed the roof of a building with an AR-15 rifle. This occurred despite the presence of Secret Service agents, local law enforcement, and trained snipers in the vicinity. Krooks, described as a loner by former classmates, was spotted on the roof moments before opening fire.
A man in a black shirt and black pants is walking on a rooftop. He is carrying a rifle.
Krooks fired multiple shots, aiming at former President Trump who was addressing a crowd at one of his signature rallies. The incident resulted in the tragic death of firefighter Corey Compositor, who was attending the rally with his family. Two other individuals, David Dutch and Jim Copenhaven, sustained injuries and were hospitalized for treatment.
The incident has raised serious concerns about the security measures in place to protect the former president. Krooks was positioned approximately 400 feet from the stage, giving him a clear line of sight to where Mr. Trump was speaking.
Former President Trump is speaking at a rally.
In an exclusive interview with ABC News, Secret Service Director Kim Cheel acknowledged the gravity of the situation, labeling the shooting as “unacceptable” and vowing to prevent such incidents in the future. Cheel confirmed that Krooks was identified as a potential threat before he discharged his weapon, but the timeframe for intervention was extremely limited.
Cheel’s explanation for the absence of agents on the specific roof where Krooks was positioned has drawn criticism on social media. She cited “safety factors” related to the sloped roof. However, the snipers who ultimately neutralized Krooks were indeed positioned on a sloped roof, raising questions about the consistency of security protocols.
A group of people are standing on a rooftop. They are looking through binoculars.
The incident has ignited a debate regarding the response time of the snipers. Video footage appears to show the snipers in position before the shots were fired. This raises the question of why Krooks was not apprehended sooner, before he had the opportunity to fire.
Jimmy, a former sniper who has been entrusted with protecting high-profile figures like then-Vice President Biden, shared his insights into the incident. He highlighted the extensive planning that goes into such security details, including the creation of “field cards” to identify potential threats and pre-calculate ballistics for various scenarios.
A man in a black shirt and black pants is holding a rifle.
According to Jimmy, snipers on such details maintain constant vigilance, scanning for threats through binoculars. The act of shouldering their rifles signifies the presence of a credible threat and alerts other security personnel on the ground.
He explained that snipers operate under strict protocols, prioritizing the preservation of life. They are trained to shoot to kill only as a last resort, after carefully assessing the situation and ensuring a clear shot.
The incident has exposed potential vulnerabilities in security measures for protecting high-profile individuals. The fact that Krooks was able to gain access to a roof with a direct line of sight to the former president raises concerns about the adequacy of security protocols and the need for a thorough investigation.
