Trump’s gunman was “amazingly close” when the FBI asked how they missed him

The gunman who shot Donald Trump was able to get “amazingly close” to the president, analysis has found. An Associated Press reviewed several videos and photos from the site of Trump’s rally, as well as satellite images of the site.

And they say it shows the gunman was able to get “amazingly close” to the scene where the former president was speaking. Images posted on social media and geotagged by the AP show a person in gray camouflage clothing motionless on the roof of a building at AGR International Inc, just north of the Butler Farm Show grounds, where Mr Trump’s rally was held.

That spot was less than 150 yards from where Mr. Trump was speaking. The AP says this is a distance from which “a decent marksman could reasonably hit a human-sized target.” That 150 yards is the distance US Army recruits must hit a human-sized figure to qualify with the M-16 rifle.

The AR-15, like the one the Trump rally gun had, is the civilian semi-automatic version of the military’s M-16. Now questions are being asked about the failure to detect it beforehand.

At a news conference, Kevin Rojek, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Pittsburgh Bureau, was asked if law enforcement did not know the gunman was on the roof until he started shooting.

He said “that’s our assessment at this point.” “It’s surprising” that the shooter was able to open fire on the scene before the Secret Service killed him, he added.

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, whose department oversees the Secret Service, said officials are now involved with the Biden and Trump campaigns. He said they were “taking all possible measures to ensure their safety and security”.

Mr Trump was showing a chart of border crossing numbers when gunfire erupted. He put his hand to his ear before ducking and was then covered by Secret Service agents.

Screams were heard in the crowd, where thousands had gathered to hear him speak. Voices were later heard saying “Shooter’s down” several times before someone asked “Are we okay to move?” and “Are we clear?” Then someone ordered “Let’s move.”

Mr Trump could be heard in the video saying at least twice “Let me get my shoes, let me get my shoes”. Another voice was heard saying “Got you sir”.

Mr Trump then stood up and could be seen bringing his right hand to his face, which was covered in blood. He put his fist in the air and appeared to say the word “Fight” twice to his crowd of supporters.

This prompted loud cheers and chants of “USA. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.” Trump’s curtain left the venue moments later. Footage showed him turning back to the crowd and raising his fist before getting into a vehicle.