Newly disclosed transcripts of communications between law enforcement at the Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, demonstrate a communications structure that essentially isolated federal and local law enforcement from each other at critical times.
On Sunday, the Washington Post reported communications highlighting the effect that spotty cellular service in the rural Allegheny Valley purportedly had on preventing the transmission of crucial messages like the photo by an officer of the then-suspicious person Thomas Crooks.
Per encrypted radio communications obtained by the newspaper, on July 13 at 5:42 p.m., a local law enforcement countersniper alerted that a “younger White male [with] long hair” was “lurking” around the AGR glass company building next to the Butler Farm Show grounds—but had since vanished from view.
Within half an hour, Thomas Crooks — the suspicious individual — would fire shots at former President Donald Trump from on top of the low-rise building, killing a local firefighter in the process.
But the U.S. Secret Service would not hear that local officer’s warning because the communication went to a trailer where local police commanders were operating—separated from Trump’s detail, reported the publication, citing Richard Goldinger, Butler County District Attorney, and a separate law enforcement source.
According to the Post, the police commander in the trailer phoned a Pennsylvania state trooper to pass along the message.
At least three additional critical moments occurred when communications had to be transmitted via cell phone at a venue where crowds frequently overwhelm the frequency, such as concerts and sporting events.
The emergency services director in neighboring Beaver County — which also had personnel at the event — told the newspaper that agencies shouldn’t be separated and instead have representatives in “the same room.”
Edward Lenz, Butler County Sergeant and commander of the emergency services unit (ESU), had been monitoring the radio traffic and phoned a state police sergeant after Crooks was spotted milling around with a range finder.
According to the report, the sergeant then passed the message on to Secret Service officials in the trailer where he was located.
Spotty cell service impeded the investigation of Crooks
Patchy cell service continued to impede the investigation of Crooks, as a local law enforcement officer transmitted he was attempting to share a photo by phone.
Later, a Beaver County sniper spotted Crooks by the glass company building with a backpack and started moving around within the building where he was located to try to keep eyes on him. Sergeant Greg Nicol, the sniper, was later touted by Beaver County officials for his “old-fashioned police work.”
Nicol then transmitted that Crooks “went toward the Sheetz,” referring to the gas station chain’s outpost just a little over a city block east of the AGR building.
Via a graphic, the Post reported that Crooks may have moved and used an HVAC unit on the far side of the AGR glass complex to get on the roof.
Numerous videos have shown Crooks moving around on the roof during that time.
As reported previously, Crooks was spotted with his rifle once a law enforcement officer was able to peer over the top of the roof.
According to the report, as Lenz radioed the quick response force (QERF) about the threat that was now armed, shots rang out.
On Wednesday, District Attorney Goldinger said federal agents didn’t heed concerns from local officials and, per the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, essentially left the locals to set up their command post.
According to reports, law enforcement from Beaver, Washington, and Butler Counties set up their posts the morning of the rally. The Secret Service’s command post was set up at the rear of the site—toward where Donald Trump would face from the platform—while the county’s command trailer was located stage-left of the former president. The AGR glass company building, where Crooks perched atop, was located stage-right.
Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi, in response to questions from the Post report, said the agency is “committed to better understanding what happened before, during, and after the assassination attempt of former President Trump to ensure that it never happens again.”
“This includes a robust mission assurance investigation by our Office of Professional Responsibility that will meticulously examine all aspects of the event and complete cooperation with Congress, the FBI, and other relevant investigations.”
