Police responded to a call regarding a 'suspicious male' in close proximity to the location where former President Donald Trump was holding a rally in Pennsylvania. The incident occurred on Saturday, as confirmed by Butler Township Manager Tom Knights.
According to Knights, the report of the suspicious individual placed him near the AGR building, where the attempted attack on Trump took place. However, the statement did not specify the exact timeline of the event. Trump had arrived at the rally before 6 p.m. ET, and the shooting incident unfolded at 6:12 p.m. ET.
Upon initial investigation, officers were unable to locate the individual near the building, as mentioned in Knights' statement. Subsequently, an officer attempted to access the roof with the assistance of a colleague who tried to lift him up. While scaling the side of the building, the officer spotted an individual on the roof aiming a rifle at him, as detailed by Knights.
Due to the officer's vulnerable position and inability to engage the suspect while holding onto the roof edge, he was forced to let go and fell to the ground. The Butler Township Police promptly relayed the individual's location and the fact that he was armed. Shortly after, the individual began firing shots, as per the statement.
Knights' account of the officer's encounter with the gunman aligns with the information provided by Butler County Sheriff Michael T. Slupe. It was noted that the Butler Township Police were primarily responsible for managing traffic at the rally.
