Following the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have issued a joint intelligence bulletin.
Thomas Matthew Crooks, the man who shot at a Trump rally in Butler County, Pennsylvania, had raised suspicions earlier in the day when he passed security screening carrying a rangefinder – a device often used by hunters and target shooters to measure long distances. several shots, according to CNN.
Rangefinder will not prevent Crooks from passing through security screening points, but it attracts the attention of security personnel who keep an eye on people until they leave the secure area.
Investigatorsare not sure where Crooks went after he left the screening area but the working theory is that he went to his car to get the gun.
Around were witnesses alerted the police that Crooks was crawling on the roof, one of the four counter-sniper team observed Crooks looking at their position through the rangefinder, according to a senior law enforcement officer.
“They saw him when he saw them,” the official said.
Crooks gained access to the rooftop by climbing on top of the building’s air conditioning system and hoisting himself up, according to a senior federal law enforcement official briefed on the investigation.
The Gateway Pundit previously reported that Crooks was spotted on the roof about 30 minutes before opening fire on Trump.
The incident raises serious questions about law enforcement’s response to potential threats. Although Crooks was identified as a suspect, no immediate action was taken to neutralize him as a potential threat.
A joint intelligence bulletin released by the FBI and DHS provides further context. This shows before the assassination attempt.
The newsletter was first shared by Catherine Herridge on X. She wrote:
NEW: Source confirms “JOINT FBI/DHS INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN”
TITLE: “The Attempted Assassination of Former US President Donald J. Trump”
TOP LINE: The Bulletin said the assassination attempt “reinforces the assessment that election-related targets are under threat of attack or other disruptive incidents.”
CONTEXT: But near catastrophic lapses show the security posture does not reflect a “higher threat.”
BULLETIN excerpts include Crooks’ movements prior to the attack and shipping history.
The document details some closeness in security protocols, showing a significant underestimation of the threat level.
Investigative reports indicated that Crooks had purchased 50 rounds of ammunition the day before the event and had received packages, some of which were marked as hazardous materials. The FBI’s search also found three suspected improvised explosive devices – one in his home and two in his vehicle – although all were safely neutralized.
“On July 13, before arriving at a campaign rally, Crooks purchased 50 rounds of ammunition from a gun and ammunition store in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania.
subsequent to shooting, the FBI found three suspected improvised explosive devices: one in
Crooks’ place and two in Crooks’ vehicle parked near the event; all three devices were rendered safe. Over the past several months, Crooks has received numerous packages, including some marked as potentially containing hazardous materials, according to a review of shipping history.
“Prior to the July 13 assassination attempt on FPOTUS, we have seen targeted harassment tactics related to the 2024 US general election cycle, similar to the last two election cycles, including hoax bomb threats, swatting, doxing, and white powder mail targeting elections. officials and offices. In many of these cases, the perpetrators and the motives of the perpetrators remain unknown. However, these tactics are very likely to intimidate and disrupt election operations.
“The FBI and DHS remain concerned about the potential for violent acts or acts following this attack, particularly as individuals in some online communities have threatened, encouraged, or referred to acts of violence in response to assassination attempts … or DVE operating in small cells , will likely continue to see publicly accessible locations such as political rallies and campaign events as attractive targets.
NEW: Source confirms “JOINT FBI/DHS INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN”
TITLE: “The Attempted Assassination of Former US President Donald J. Trump”
TOP LINE: The Bulletin said the assassination attempt “reinforces our assessment that election-related targets are under threat of attack or… pic.twitter.com/3HESGFL8I3
– Catherine Herridge (@C__Herridge) July 16, 2024
