Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger has disputed the Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner's testimony regarding the security lapse at former President Trump's Pennsylvania rally, asserting that local law enforcement officers were at their designated positions despite a shifting suspect.
The Butler County district attorney has released a press statement refuting the testimony of the Pennsylvania state police commissioner concerning the security lapse at former President Trump's Pennsylvania rally. In his statement, DA Richard Goldinger asserts that local law enforcement officers were at their predetermined posts when gunfire erupted.
The district attorney's statement clarifies that 20 minutes prior to the shooting, snipers spotted a "suspicious individual" seated outside the American Glass Research complex. The suspect's image was circulated to the command center for the Secret Service and the PSP, along with a note indicating his suspicious behavior.
Butler County DA Contradicts PSP Commissioner's Testimony in Trump Rally Shooting Investigation
Subsequently, the suspect moved to the other side of the building, prompting local law enforcement to reposition within the building to maintain surveillance. One sniper, located inside the building, observed the suspect sitting on a picnic table at the front of the structure with a backpack.
One officer exited the building to locate the suspect after observing him running off. However, the officer returned to their post after unsuccessfully finding him.
Butler County DA Contradicts PSP Commissioner's Testimony in Trump Rally Shooting Investigation
The other sniper, who had initially pursued the suspect outside, also returned to their post after failing to locate him. Despite the second officer's pursuit outside, one officer remained in their position on the second floor of the building.
Goldinger refutes the PSP commissioner's testimony that ESU officers left their post. He maintains that one officer briefly exited the building to investigate a suspicious person but returned to their post. Furthermore, he emphasizes that the other officer remained inside the building at all times.
Butler County DA Contradicts PSP Commissioner's Testimony in Trump Rally Shooting Investigation
Goldinger declares that local law enforcement officers were at their assigned posts when gunfire broke out. He clarifies that their post was the building and that even though one officer left briefly, it was in response to a suspicious person. Moreover, he stresses that the post was never left vacant.
In response to the district attorney's statement, the PSP reiterated their support for the commissioner's testimony and emphasized that their investigation into the shooting and its aftermath is ongoing.
Butler County DA Contradicts PSP Commissioner's Testimony in Trump Rally Shooting Investigation
The ongoing investigation into the Trump rally shooting has sparked a debate over the security lapse that allowed the suspect to gain access to the building from which he fired at the former president. The contrasting testimonies from the Butler County district attorney and the PSP commissioner highlight the differing perspectives on the events leading up to the shooting.
