Donald Trump's shooter Thomas Crooks climbed air conditioning unit to reach his rooftop firing position: Report

BUTLER, PENNSYLVANIA: The man from Pennsylvania who attempted to kill former president Donald Trump on Saturday, July 13, reportedly climbed an air conditioning unit to get to his rooftop firing position.

According to ABC News, Thomas Crooks, 20, repeatedly fired an AR rifle, which is thought to have belonged to his father, during a rally on Saturday, July 13, in Butler, grazing through Trump's ear and killing a rallygoer.

Thomas Crooks bought a ladder from a local Home Depot

The troubled wallflower, who was located about 150 yards from where Trump spoke, allegedly bought a ladder from a nearby Home Depot before the shooting but did not use it to climb the building, according to officials. Rather, he climbed to the top of the building using the air conditioning unit next to it as a foothold.

Critics questioned how Thomas Crooks was able to get so close to Donald Trump

Some have questioned how, in spite of the presence of Secret Service agents and local police, Crooks was able to position himself so close to Trump. The gunman fired a few shots before he was fatally shot on the top of the roof. 

A remote transmitter was discovered inside Thomas Crooks' pocket

According to the report, law enforcement officials also revealed on Tuesday, July 16, that they found a remote transmitter in Crooks' pocket, which was programmed to set off devices in both his home and car. Authorities are still determining the purpose and potential damage of the makeshift bombs, which never detonated. 

Additionally, Crooks had a tactical vest in his car, but he didn't put it on before scaling the roof.

Thomas Crooks asked for day off from work before the incident 

Crooks requested a day off from work on Saturday, July 13, and informed his employer that he would return on Sunday, July 14, the report stated, before attempting the assassination plot. In spite of that affirmation, some officials have conjectured that Crooks did not anticipate living through the operation that ultimately resulted in his demise.

Authorities said they have examined Crooks' phone and social media activity, but they have not been able to determine the reason behind the attack.

Thomas Crooks was reportedly bullied in high school

Crooks was a registered Republican who, as recently as 2021, gave money to a progressive political organization despite having reportedly been bullied in high school. Trump grabbed the side of his head where one of Crooks' bullets had grazed his ear while stunned rally attendees watched. Volunteer fire chief Corey Comperatore, 50, was hit during the chaos and later died.

What did US Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle say?

Local police were in charge of guarding the building Crooks scaled and was inside when he fired, as per US Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle, who spoke with ABC News.

"In this particular instance, we did share support for that particular site and that the Secret Service was responsible for the inner perimeter," Cheatle said, adding "And then we sought assistance from our local counterparts for the outer perimeter."

The Pennsylvania State Police said it "was not responsible for securing the building or property," asserting that it had up to 40 officers at the scene.

Internet curious about how Thomas Crooks managed to climb the steep roof

Netizens slammed the FBI and wondered how the young assassin managed to the roof slope before firing at the former president. The 20-year-old did shoot a few rounds toward Trump but, fortunately, he survived before he was ushered off the stage by Secret Service agents. 

One user wrote, "The FBI are compromised and should not be in charge of this investigation." Another tweeted, "Something there seems fishy to me..." One questioned, "Interesting how that roof wasn’t too “steep” for him?!" while another echoed the same, "But the roof slope? How did he manage that?" 

"Typical. Guy's got a beef with society, so he figures breaking into an air conditioning unit is the way to go," remarked one. 

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