Security errors, lapses, and missed opportunities led to the first shooting of a US president or former president in more than a generation. Several issues and problems were identified that could have been addressed before the attack on former President Donald Trump.
The building used by the gunman was outside the 'hard perimeter' set by the United States Secret Service, where every person is screened. Less than 500 feet from the stage, the building was within shooting range and had a clear line of sight to where the former president stood to address the crowd.
The shooter was spotted by local law enforcement near the magnetometers on the day of the rally, raising suspicions. This information was passed to the Secret Service, but the shooter managed to evade further detection until he was seen on the rooftop outside the event.
Approximately an hour before the incident, a person resembling the gunman was captured on video in front of the building where the shooter later climbed the roof. Pennsylvania State Police are investigating this video as part of the ongoing investigation. Law enforcement tried to locate the shooter about 19 minutes before the shooting but failed to find him until he was already on the roof.
Ultimately, no one stopped the shooter from reaching the roof of the American Glass Research building, highlighting a critical security failure that allowed the attack to occur.
