Beaver County SWAT Team Reveals Lack of Communication with Secret Service During Trump Assassination Attempt

Beaver County SWAT team members describe spotting suspected assassin before shooting, but allege no communication with Secret Service during the incident. The team now questions whether the lack of communication contributed to the tragic outcome.

In the aftermath of the assassination attempt on former President Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, members of the Beaver County SWAT team have come forward to shed light on the events leading up to the shooting. Their accounts reveal a lack of communication with the U.S. Secret Service that has raised questions about the adequacy of security measures during the rally.

Gregory Nicol, a sharpshooter with the SWAT team, was on duty at the Butler Farm Show complex on July 13th when he noticed a suspicious individual lurking around the building where Trump was scheduled to speak. The man, later identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, appeared out of place and was carrying an unattended backpack and bicycle.

Beaver County SWAT Team Reveals Lack of Communication with Secret Service During Trump Assassination Attempt

Nicol observed Crooks pulling out a rangefinder from his pocket, a device typically used for measuring distances. He immediately took photographs of the man and sent them to a chat group of team snipers. However, he assumed that someone would approach Crooks to investigate.

As the rally commenced, Nicol witnessed rallygoers looking away from the stage and towards the roof of the building. Initially relieved, thinking they had apprehended Crooks, he was horrified to hear gunshots erupt.

Beaver County SWAT Team Reveals Lack of Communication with Secret Service During Trump Assassination Attempt

During the ensuing chaos, the SWAT team responded to the roof, unsure if Crooks was alive or dead. They found him lying in a pool of blood with zip ties around his wrists. SWAT medic Michel Vasiladiotis-Nicol confirmed that Crooks had no pulse.

Jason Woods, another SWAT sharpshooter, revealed that their team had no contact with the Secret Service until after the shooting. "We were supposed to receive a face-to-face briefing with the Secret Service snipers, but it never happened," Woods said.

Beaver County SWAT Team Reveals Lack of Communication with Secret Service During Trump Assassination Attempt

The Secret Service has acknowledged the importance of understanding the lapses in communication and has pledged cooperation with relevant investigations. "We are committed to better understanding what happened before, during, and after the assassination attempt to ensure that it never happens again," the agency stated.

Beaver County SWAT team members have expressed a sense of regret over the incident. "We failed that day," said Assistant SWAT leader Mike Priolo. "If there was anything we could have done to prevent this, we should have."

Beaver County SWAT Team Reveals Lack of Communication with Secret Service During Trump Assassination Attempt

The team's account highlights concerns about the coordination of security measures during high-profile events. The lack of communication between local law enforcement and the Secret Service may have contributed to the tragic outcome, underscoring the need for improved coordination and information-sharing in future security operations.