Staff Reports
Butler Twp. Commissioner Slams Claims That Local PD Was Responsible for Sniper’s Perch
In the aftermath of the failed assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, there has been a flurry of finger-pointing in Butler County, Pennsylvania. One contentious issue revolves around which law enforcement agency should be held accountable for securing the building where the sniper perched.
The Secret Service wasted no time in pointing fingers, placing the blame on local police for not adequately securing the perimeter outside the immediate event venue. However, Butler Township Commissioner Ed Natali is pushing back against these claims, stating that the Butler Township Police Department had no role in the security detail. According to Natali, the police were solely assigned to traffic control and had no responsibility for securing the building. To suggest otherwise is simply uninformed or propagating falsehoods.
Natali, in a strongly worded Facebook post, expressed his disappointment with the reports and denied any involvement by local police in securing the American Glass Research property. He emphasized that the Butler Township Police Department was not responsible for any part of the security operation. Natali’s post also highlighted the fact that four people were shot, with one fatality, which should be the focus rather than the blame game.
During an interview on Fox News, Natali reiterated his points and shed more light on the officer’s involvement. He explained that the local officers responded to reports of a suspicious person in the area and attempted to locate the individual. However, due to the lack of a ladder, the officers had to improvise, with one officer lifting the other to access the roof. As a result, the officer was unable to wield his weapon when the shooter turned and aimed at him. Natali emphasized that the officer would have engaged the shooter if given the opportunity.
What! pic.twitter.com/Vl7qD0KAwQ
— Karli Bonne’ 🇺🇸 (@KarluskaP) July 17, 2024
The exact role of other local law enforcement agencies present on the scene remains unclear. However, it has been confirmed that Pittsburgh motorcycle officers were also on site, adding to the already heated controversy surrounding the incident.
As the investigation continues, it is crucial that answers are provided about what went wrong on that fateful day. The focus should remain on understanding the events leading up to the shooting and preventing similar incidents in the future. It is time to set aside blame and work towards solutions.
