Donald Trump shooter Thomas Crooks reportedly concealed his firearm beforehand, claims source

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BUTLER, PENNSYLVANIA: A source close to the Secret Service claims that Thomas Matthew Crooks, the 20-year-old shooter, who began firing at former president Donald Trump's Pennsylvania campaign rally on Saturday, July 13, had concealed the weapon beforehand.

However, it was not immediately apparent where he hid it. The gunman was holding the firearm when agents came upon him on the roof. "We went from golf range finder to AR-15, and now we have to fill in the gap," the source told Fox News.

Thomas Crooks was initially perceived as 'person of interest'

Authorities said on Thursday, July 18, that when they saw Crooks carrying a golf range finder for the first time on Saturday, they thought he was a "person of interest" rather than a "threat." Although range finders were not prohibited at the time from rally events, authorities are anticipated to go over the list of prohibited items. Crooks wasn't considered a threat until he was observed carrying a weapon.

There were four counter-sniper teams stationed around the rally

The Secret Service reported that four counter-sniper teams, two from the agency and two from local law enforcement, were positioned around the rally. Two of the four teams, a local team and a Service team, started shooting shortly after the gunshots started. A federal sharpshooter eventually shot and killed the gunman.

Thomas Crooks struck at least four people with AR-15 fire from the rooftop

Crooks struck at least four people with AR-15 fire from the rooftop, killing a 50-year-old father of two named Corey Comperatore and seriously wounding David Dutch, 57, and James Copenhaver, 74. The majority of this week has been devoted to authorities trading accusations over who should have secured the AGR building, from which Crooks launched his shooting spree. 

Donald Trump later said he had been shot in the right ear

Later, Trump claimed to have been shot in the right ear. Images from the scene showed him standing up again following his run for cover, his right side of his head covered in blood. He appeared publicly at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, later in the week, wearing a bandage on his ear.

Wake services for Comperatore were scheduled for Thursday, July 18. He will be laid to rest Friday, July 19, in a private ceremony. According to hospital officials, the other victims' status has been changed from critical to serious but stable.

US Secret Service faces heat from internet users

Netizens slammed the Secret Service officials who were present at the Trump rally at that time. One X user tweeted, "Of course he did, and the ladder. The US Secret Service did not sweep area." Another wrote, "Surprised he didn't just walk in with it given the laissez-faire approach to security at the event."

"So how far in advance did he do this? A security sweep of the area is yet another failure," remarked one while someone else wrote, "Which indicates he had crucial info on the ability to maneuver into the unattended position he took up in advance." One user echoed, "Here comes the serious coverups." 

"He hid it in his pants. There is a video of him wondering you can see he doesn't move his right arm much. Then when he turns you can see the barrel of the gun at his knee cap," said one. 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.