Northeast
Newly reported transcripts depict communication breakdown hindering law enforcement at Butler Trump rally
CONNOQUENESSING, Pa. – Newly reported transcripts of law enforcement communications at the Butler, Pennsylvania, Trump rally depict a communications structure that essentially isolated local and federal law enforcement from each other at key times.
Communications reported Sunday by the Washington Post also highlight the effect spotty cellular service in the rural Allegheny Valley purportedly had on preventing transmission of key messages like an officer’s photo of then-suspicious individual Thomas Crooks.
According to encrypted radio communications obtained by the newspaper, at 5:42 p.m. ET on July 13, a counter-sniper from a local law enforcement agency alerted that a “younger White male [with] long hair” was “lurking” around the AGR glass company building adjacent to the Butler Farm Show grounds – but had since disappeared from view.
Within a half-hour, that suspicious individual – Thomas Crooks – would fire shots at former President Trump from atop that low-rise building and kill a local firefighter in the process.
BUTLER LAWMAKER SLAMS ‘INAPPROPRIATE’ TREATMENT OF LOCAL POLICE AFTER TRUMP INCIDENT: ‘THROWN UNDER THE BUS’
A flag is lowered to half-mast at the front entrance of the Butler Farm Show in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Monday, July 22, 2024. (Derek Shook for Fox News Digital )
However, that local officer’s warning would go unheard by U.S. Secret Service because the transmission went to a trailer from which local police commanders were operating – separate from the president’s detail, the paper reported, citing Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger and a separate law enforcement source.
According to the Post, the police commander in the trailer telephoned a Pennsylvania state trooper to pass the message along.
There were at least three other key moments when communications had to be transmitted by cellphone, at a venue where – like sporting events – crowds often overwhelm the frequency.
The director of emergency services in neighboring Beaver County – which also lent personnel for the event – told the paper that agencies should not be separated from each other and instead have representatives in “the same room.”
TOP DEM WHO VISITED BUTLER SAYS LOCAL OFFICIALS TOLD HIM ‘WE NEED TO TALK MORE’ ABOUT USSS FAILURES
Rep. Glenn Ivey, left, speaks with Rep. Bennie Thompson in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 22, 2024. A bipartisan group of lawmakers was visiting the site of the July 13 assassination attempt. (Derek Shook for Fox News Digital )
Butler County Sgt. Edward Lenz, commander of the “ESU” or emergency services unit, had been monitoring the radio traffic, and telephoned a state police sergeant after Crooks was seen milling around with a range-finder.
The sergeant then passed along the message to Secret Service officials in the trailer where he was stationed, according to the report.
Attempts to reach Lenz with further questions were unsuccessful.
Spotty cell service continued to hamper the investigation of Crooks, as a local law enforcement officer transmitted that he was trying to share a photo via phone.
A Beaver County sniper later spotted Crooks by the glass company building with a backpack and began moving around within the building where he was stationed to try to keep eyes on him. The sniper, Sgt. Greg Nicol, was later praised by Beaver County officials for his “old-fashioned police work.”
Nicol then transmitted that Crooks “went toward the Sheetz” – referring to the Altoona-based gas station chain’s outpost just over a city block east of the AGR building.
Former President Trump gestures with a bloodied face after multiple shots rang out during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. (Reuters/Brendan McDermid)
Via a graphic, the Post reported Crooks may have moved over and used an HVAC unit on the far side of the AGR glass complex to get on the roof.
Various videos have shown Crooks around that time moving about the roof.
Once a police officer was able to peek over the top of the roof, as previously reported, Crooks was seen with his rifle.
According to the Post report, as Lenz radioed the QRF or “quick response force” about the now-armed threat, shots rang out.
On Wednesday, District Attorney Goldinger said concerns from local officials went unheeded by federal agents, and that it essentially left the locals to set up their own command post, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
Law enforcement from Butler, Beaver and Washington Counties reportedly set up their post the morning of the rally. The Secret Service’s command post was set up at the rear of the site – toward where Trump would face from the dais – while the county command trailer was stage-left of the former president. Crook’s perch atop the AGR glass company building was stage-right.
In response to questions about the Post report from Fox News Digital, Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said the agency is “committed to better understanding what happened before, during, and after the assassination attempt of former President Trump to ensure that it never happens again.”
“This includes a robust mission assurance investigation by our Office of Professional Responsibility that will meticulously examine all aspects of the event and complete cooperation with Congress, the FBI and other relevant investigations.”
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Boston, MA
Aroldis Chapman Trade Rumors Heating Up for Struggling Red Sox
Will the Boston Red Sox cut ties with Aroldis Chapman before the 2026 Major League Baseball trade deadline?
That’s going to be the biggest question hanging over the organization ahead of the deadline if the Red Sox aren’t able to fully turn their season around. After taking down the New York Yankees on Friday, Boston has a 27-35 record. The Red Sox’s contest against the Yankees was postponed on Saturday and the two American League East rivals will conclude their brief series at Yankee Stadium on Sunday.
Boston clearly has a lot of work to do right now. With the club currently struggling in the standings, USA Today’s Bob Nightengale wrote that Chapman is “expected” to join his eighth different team this summer and get moved.
What Will Boston Do With Aroldis Chapman?
“Boston Red Sox closer Aroldis Chapman is expected to join his eighth different team, and potentially be in the postseason with his sixth different team,” Nightengale wrote. “He is the top reliever available on every contender’s target list, converting 28 consecutive saves dating back to last season, one shy of his career record.”
If the Red Sox are eight games below .500 at the beginning of August, like they are now, then this idea unfortunately, would make sense. But it’s important to note that on Saturday, The Athletic’s Jen McCaffrey reported that Boston has fielded calls on Chapman, Justin Slaten, and Garrett Whitlock but has told teams that the trio currently isn’t available. The idea of Chapman being moved is fully contingent on whether the Red Sox can make progress in the standings over the next two months.
Right now, the Red Sox are just three games out of an American League Wild Card spot, so it’s not the craziest idea in the world to believe they can make up some ground here. Plus, let’s not forget that some point Garrett Crochet and Roman Anthony will be able to return.
So, right now, the Red Sox are in a tough spot, which gives some life to Nightengale’s point, but it’s still a bit too early to fully jump to conclusions. If the Red Sox can go on a little run, then all of a sudden the perception will shift around Boston. If not, then the club will end up getting a haul in exchange for Chapman if the club actually does end up moving him before the deadline.
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Pittsburg, PA
Three dead, one injured in house fire in Mercer County
Three people have died as a result of a house fire earlier this week in Mercer County.
According to the City of Sharon Bureau of Police, a fire on Friday at a home on Sherman Avenue sent four people to the hospital. At the time of the transport, three of the four people taken to the hospital were in critical condition.
On Sunday morning, police said that three victims who were in critical condition died on Saturday evening from the injuries sustained in the fire.
The victims were identified as 38-year-old Sarah Jacobson and two children, Kevin and Izabella Jacobson.
“Our thoughts and prayers remain with the Jacobson family at this time of tragedy,” City of Sharon Chief of Police Edward Stabile said in a statement provided to KDKA-TV.
The fourth victim, according to police, is now listed as being in stable condition.
The fire happened at the home just after midnight on Friday morning, and the cause is still under investigation. Sharon police, along with the Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal, the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Sharon Fire Department, are all coordinating in the investigation.
Connecticut
Rocky Hill water main break closes road
ROCKY HILL, Conn. (WTNH) – A water main break in Rocky Hill Sunday morning will impact traffic for much of the day on Grimes Road.
According to Rocky Hill Police the break happened at approximately 7:10 a.m. in the area of 40 Grimes Road between Louis Place and Hillside Avenue. Motorists are advised to take alternatee routes and avoid the area.
The Metropolitan District Commission is on scene making repairs which could take up to 8 hours.
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