Donald Trump supporters were recorded warning cops that gunman Thomas Crooks had taken up a position on a rooftop just outside of the ex-president’s rally in Pennsylvania but the Secret Service never reacted.
Butler County Sheriff Michael Slupe confirmed that a local police officer did attempt to confront Crooks on the rooftop, moments before the gunfire rang out, but that he ducked for cover when the rifle was trained on him.
Slupe confirmed that Crooks, 20, got into position after climbing a ladder and bear crawling across the roof of a business around 100 feet away from where the presumptive Republican presidential nominee was speaking.
‘All I know is the officer had both hands on the roof to get up on the roof, never made it because the shooter had turned towards the officer, and rightfully and smartly, the officer let go,’ Slupe said.
Video shows a member of the public talking to a police officer just yards away from the rooftop where Crooks was situated.
Trump’s ear was grazed by a bullet while supporter Corey Comperatore was tragically killed. A spokesman for the Secret Service has said that the securing the perimeter of the event is the responsibility of local law enforcement.
A member of the public is seen talking with a police officer before the shots rang out, the building where Crooks was perched is to the right
A timeline showing the dramatic events that took place on July 13
