It’s impossible for someone to carry so much equipment into a presidential rally, much less onto an unguarded rooftop with a direct view to the stage. But that’s exactly what happened at Butler.
Testimony by Pennsylvania Police Commissioner Christopher Parisi to the House Homeland Security Committee reveals numerous failures in law enforcement.
The venue had two layers of security – an outdoor area patrolled by state police, and an indoor area monitored by Secret Service agents, including an anti-sniper team on the roof behind the stage.
Members of various agencies were present at an operations center. But on that day, communications were chaotic and areas of responsibility were unclear.
Mr. Paris pointed out at his hearing that the state police were responsible for the area around the A.G.R. International warehouse, the building from which Crooks fired, which was about 400 feet (122 m) from the stage, from where the scene was clearly visible.
He revealed that his people had raised the threat before the rally and the Secret Service had told them that since it was on the outskirts, it was a state police matter.
As a result, a local SWAT-style Emergency Service Unit (ESU) team was deployed inside the building complex, Mr Paris said.
The New York Times reported that the team had two people who stayed indoors because of the heat. The newspaper’s source said the plan was approved by the Secret Service.
Kimberly Cheatle, who was Secret Service director until stepping down this week, told lawmakers she could not explain why no one was stationed on the roof.
