A POLICE sniper team were inside the same building that Donald Trump’s would-be assassin climbed up to shoot from.
Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, was killed by Secret Service snipers shortly after trying to take out the former president at a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday.
Secret Service agents oversaw a “colossal failure” that saw a presidential candidate shot for the first time in 40 years, security analysts said.
Police were slow to react to the public’s sightings of Crooks with video footage capturing the alarm being raised as the shooter is spotted on the roof.
Now it has been revealed that there were cops inside the building when Crooks was on top of it shooting at the president.
A local police counter-sniper team was inside the AGR International Inc. factory at the time of the shooting, law enforcement sources told The New York Post.
The building was being used as a “watch post” for snipers to scan for threats, despite there not being anyone on the roof.
The shock oversight came as the former president was speaking onstage only 130 yards away at the rally.
Crooks was able to climb the building unchallenged before firing off eight shots with an AR-style assault rifle hitting Trump in the ear.
One officer climbed up onto the roof to confront Crooks, but retreated when the gunman pointed his rifle at him.
Crooks is said to have been spotted on the rooftop a whopping 26 minutes before he opened fire.
Officers are understood to have found a receipt for a ladder from Home Depot on Crooks’ body.
Officials are now investigating whether the ladder was used to get on to the roof.
A local cop also spotted a suspicious man with a range-finder in or near the venue before Trump took to the stage.
The officer reported the sighting to state police after taking a photo and said there was a discussion over whether the man was carrying binoculars to see the rally.
More than a dozen guns were found during a subsequent search of the Crooks’ family home, officials told NBC News.
Crooks’ dad called police to say he was worried that his son and his AR rifle were missing after he heard news of the shooting.
Trump reappeared for the first time last night at the Republican Convention in Milwaukee with a white bandage over his ear.
The Republican presidential nominee was given a hero’s welcome as crowds greeted him with chants of “Fight, fight, fight” – the same cry Trump made after the attempt on his life.
Trump officially secured the Republican nomination and announced his pick for Vice President at the convention as Ohio Senator JD Vance.
What we know so far…
Meanwhile the head of the Secret Service is refusing to resign despite shocking lapses in security in the lead up to the shooting.
Speaking publicly for the first time since the shooting, Kimberly Cheatle admitted that the failures were “unacceptable and should not happen again” but said she planned to stay on.
Despite the counter-sniper team not knowing about Crooks’ whereabouts, rally attendees spotted the would-be assassin.
Footage shows rally-goers raising the alarm only moments before the horror unfolded as the former president continues to speak at the rally.
In one clip, Trump supporters can see Crooks lying on the roof and bear crawling into position as he prepares to shoot at the former president.
The gunman can be seen moving from his side to his front as supporters shout to raise the alarm with police.
One supporter shouts: “he’s on the roof, he’s right there!”
Another person says: “Someone is on the roof, look,” and points out Crooks.
The FBI said it had gained access to the gunman’s phone on Monday but had not yet found any clues as to his motivation.
Trump said he felt a bullet rip through his skin as it pierced the upper part of his right ear.
He thanked law enforcement for their swift response to the gunfire, offering his condolences to the families of those affected.
“I want to thank The United States Secret Service, and all of Law Enforcement for their rapid response on the shooting that just took place in Butler, Pennsylvania,” Trump wrote on Truth Social hours after the shooting.
“Most importantly, I want to extend my condolences to the family of the person at the Rally who was killed, and also to the family of another person that was badly injured.
“It is incredible that such an act can take place in our Country. Nothing is known at this time about the shooter, who is now dead.
“I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear. I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin.
“Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening. GOD BLESS AMERICA!”
Donald Trump was shot at his Pennsylvania rally on July 13.
1pm: Doors open at the Butler Farm Show grounds where Trump was expected to speak at 5pm.
4:11pm: Sean Parnell gave the opening speech.
4:35pm: David McCormick rallied the crowd.
5:30pm: Crowds were still waiting for Trump.
6:03pm: Trump takes the stage.
6:11pm: Gunshots were fired as Trump delivered remarks.
6:12pm: Trump was ushered off stage by Secret Service agents.
6:42pm: Secret Service confirmed Trump is safe.
7:24pm: The shooter and one rally attendee are confirmed dead by law enforcement officials.
8:42pm: Trump confirms he was shot in the ear, sharing a statement on Truth Social.
8:49pm: The Secret Service confirms the shooter and a rally attendee are dead. Two others remain critically injured.
