The Butler County sheriff said the officer was unable to use his firearm because he was gripping onto the roof’s ledge.
A municipal police officer had encountered the gunman on the rooftop before he fired at former President Donald Trump at his Pennsylvania campaign rally but was unable to stop him in time, the Butler County sheriff said.
Butler County Sheriff Michael T. Slupe told CBS Pittsburgh on Sunday that Butler Township officers had initiated a search after receiving information of a “suspicious person” on a roof near the rally.
The gunman had been spotted by bystanders on the roof of a building outside the rally perimeter for Secret Service, and the area was being guarded by local law enforcement. As the officer tried to climb onto the roof to inspect it, the shooter who was already lying on the roof turned and aimed his gun at him, forcing the officer to withdraw back to ground level for cover.
“All I know is the officer had both hands up on the roof to get up onto the roof, [but] never made it because the shooter had turned towards the officer. And rightfully and smart-fully, the officer let go,” Mr. Slupe said.
The officer was equipped with a firearm, but he was unable to use it because he was gripping onto the roof’s ledge, the sheriff said.
Mr. Slupe told ABC News that after retreating, the officer reported to the security operation over the radio that the man on the roof was armed. The shooter then opened fire on President Trump before being subdued by the Secret Service.
The sheriff said he believed the officer did the right thing by retreating. “I would’ve done the same thing, absolutely,” he said.
When asked if he had spoken to the officer about why he didn’t engage the shooter, Mr. Slupe answered: “No, not my concern.”
Mr. Slupe concurred that it was “a failure” but did not elaborate. He emphasized the need to allow the investigation into the shooting to take its course.
Authorities have identified the shooter as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, a resident of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. He fired multiple shots with a rifle at a Trump rally on July 13. The FBI have not yet identified a motive but have not ruled out domestic terrorism.
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