Staff Reports
The world seems increasingly bizarre, and a recent incident involving a supposed assassin has catapulted the absurdity into overdrive. Footage released from the Butler Township Police Department reveals the moments leading up to an attempted assassination of former President Trump during a rally and raises serious questions about how this could happen without anyone noticing until it was almost too late. Apparently, it’s not just politicians who are having trouble doing their jobs; the local police are struggling to keep things secure, too.
What makes this entire situation even more maddening is the revelation that the would-be assassin had been practicing at a local shooting range just a day before the attack. Thomas Crooks, armed to the teeth with an AR-15, had 43 trips logged at the Clairton Sportsmen’s Club and was apparently quite comfortable with his shooting capabilities. It’s almost as if he decided to take a crash course in marksmanship right before attempting to take out one of the most high-profile figures in American politics. One can only wonder what sort of background checks are involved when joining these clubs.
Washington Examiner: Bodycam footage reveals moment police officer confronted Trump shooter https://t.co/Ar9elrf3Gv
— Ian’s Newsfeed 🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@IanHNewsFeed) August 8, 2024
When it comes to the police response, it’s hard not to shake one’s head. Body-cam footage shows officers responding moments before the gunfire erupted, with one officer awkwardly hoisted onto a rooftop just in time to watch the action unfold, only to find himself unarmed and, shockingly, unprepared. As details emerged, it became clear that the police didn’t even realize Crooks was dead after firing at the rallygoers. The cognitive dissonance is palpable; responses to threats seem almost comical in their inadequacy.
Butler County Sheriff Michael Slupe defended the officer who confronted Crooks, claiming that the split-second decision to go for it or back down was a matter of life and death. He sounded flabbergasted that anyone would think it wise to face down a gunman without a weapon of their own. The argument that the officer was merely doing the best he could under the circumstances raises questions about training standards and preparedness for these kinds of high-stakes situations.
Finally, let’s not ignore the onlookers at the rally who seemed better informed than the cops. They noted the sniper presence on the roof, stunned at how Crooks made it to his perch undetected. It’s a strange world where the average citizen appears to have a clearer understanding of protocol than those tasked with ensuring safety. As the ramifications of this clown show unfold, one thing remains clear: if our laws don’t ensure not only the safety but the common sense of those sworn to protect us, then what hope is left? With the right training and foresight, situations like this could be avoided altogether, and the state of affairs might just improve for all involved.
