By Deutsche Welle
15 Jul 2024, 19:06 PM EDT
The US Secret Service has said it intends to cooperate with an independent review of its security arrangements after a gunman allegedly opened fire on former President Donald Trump.
The 78-year-old tycoon was wounded at a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday, in an attack that shocked a deeply polarized country less than four months before the November election.
“How can such an incident be avoided?”
“The Secret Service is working with all federal, state and local agencies involved to understand what happened, how it happened and how we can prevent such an incident from happening again,” agency Director Kimberly Cheatle said in a statement.
“We understand the importance of the independent review announced yesterday by President (Joe) Biden and will fully participate. We will also work with the appropriate congressional committees on any oversight actions,” added Cheatle, who is supported by Biden, according to the White House.
Trump was speaking at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, when multiple gunshots rang out. He grabbed his bloodied ear. He then climbed down as Secret Service agents rushed the podium, surrounded him and whisked him away to a nearby vehicle.
People warned of the presence of the shooter
The shooter, who was identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, and a firefighter protecting his family were killed during the shooting. Two other bystanders were injured.
The Secret Service has been under intense pressure since Saturday. It is accused of having been able to climb onto a rooftop some 150 metres from one of the most protected political figures on the planet and point an assault rifle at him.
Especially since some people who saw the man tried to warn the security forces before he opened fire.
Biden also ordered the Secret Service to “provide protection to Robert Kennedy Jr.,” the independent presidential candidate, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said Monday.
FBI: Possible act of domestic terrorism
The FBI issued a statement to report that an investigation is underway to determine a possible act of domestic terrorism. Investigators are working to determine the sequence of events, as well as the shooter’s movements.
To that end, the FBI is gathering evidence and conducting interviews to follow up on leads. The FBI’s Pittsburgh Field Office has searched Crook’s home in Bethel Park. It has also searched his car, which was located at the scene of the incident in Butler.
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