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Newly reported transcripts depict communication breakdown hindering law enforcement at Butler Trump rally

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Newly reported transcripts depict communication breakdown hindering law enforcement at Butler Trump rally

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’

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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.”

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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. 

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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.

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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. 

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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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New York

Homes for Sale in the Bronx and Manhattan

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Homes for Sale in the Bronx and Manhattan

Bronx | 305 East 140th Street, No. 5A

A two-bedroom, one-bath, 1,981-square-foot condo with an open floor plan, bamboo and granite countertops, a den/home office, original hardwood floors and a basement storage cage. The unit is on the top floor of a five-story former factory from 1901 that has a virtual intercom, a super, shared laundry and a bike room. Tano Holmes and Victor Banks, Century 21; century21.com

Costs

Common charges: $1,456 a month

Taxes: $9,240 a year

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Pro

In-unit washer/dryers are permitted and an area near the kitchen can accommodate a laundry room or second bathroom. The ceilings reach 12 feet. The building is eco-friendly and has solar panels to reduce electricity costs.

Cons

It’s a big space to cool with window unit air-conditioning.


Manhattan | 467 Central Park West, No. 12F

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A two-bedroom, two-bath, 1,152-square-foot apartment that has a windowed kitchen with a pass-through to a breakfast bar, an open floor plan, a primary suite, a second bedroom with a walk-in closet, a windowed bath, built-ins, a decorative fireplace and wide-plank oak floors. It’s on the 12th floor of a 17-story prewar doorman building that has a live-in superintendent, a bike room, shared laundry and a waiting list for extra storage. Jed Lewin, The Agency; theagencyre.com

Costs

Common charges: $1,350 a month

Taxes: $1,098 a month

Assessment: $374 a month through January 2028, for updates to the building’s exterior

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Pros

The kitchen has two windows, a six-burner range and ample counter space. The view includes Central Park and Billionaire’s Row.

Cons

In-unit washer/dryers are not permitted.


Manhattan | 146 E 49th Street, No. 2B

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A two-bedroom, one-bath, roughly 940-square-foot apartment that has a windowed eat-in kitchen, an open living/dining area, a windowed bathroom and original hardwood floors. It’s on the second floor of a 10-story building by Emory Roth with a live-in super and shared laundry. Laura Cook and Adam Wolfe, Keller Williams NYC; kwnyc.com

Costs

Maintenance: $2,583 a month

Pros

Use as a pied-à-terre, subletting after two years of residency and an in-unit washer/dryer are permitted with board approval.

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Cons

The view consists of only nearby buildings. The second bedroom does not have a closet. The building lacks a bike room and there’s a waiting list for basement storage cages.

Given the fast pace of the current market, some properties may no longer be available at the time of publication.

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Boston, MA

Bello's continued struggles compound Boston's thin rotation

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Bello's continued struggles compound Boston's thin rotation


TORONTO — A frustrating start to the season continued on Wednesday for Brayan Bello and the Red Sox.
Although interim manager Chad Tracy planned to be aggressive with his bullpen in the series finale north of the border, Bello wasn’t able to escape the fourth inning as the Red Sox



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Pittsburg, PA

First look: Titusz in Lawrenceville honors its namesakes

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First look: Titusz in Lawrenceville honors its namesakes






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