A police officer retreated from the rooftop used to shoot at former President Donald Trump just moments before shots were fired after the suspect pointed his rifle at the cop, according to a report.
The local officer climbed onto the roof before Thomas Matthew Crooks opened fire on the Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, according to a law enforcement source who spoke with the Associated Press.
But the officer backed off, the source said, once the 20-year-old suspect turned around and pointed his rifle at the cop.
The gunman began shooting moments after the officer went down the ladder, the source said.
Rallygoers initially alerted the police about the man climbing onto a roof, prompting the officer to investigate.
Bystander videos shared with TMZ appeared to capture the alleged gunman positioned on a rooftop.
Secret Service agents shot and killed the suspect quickly after the bullets rang out from over 400 feet away.
The former president suffered a bullet graze wound to his right ear. He was treated at a hospital and released late Saturday night.
Rally attendee Corey Comperatore, 50, was killed in the shooting. He was a former fire chief of Buffalo Township in Pennsylvania.
Two other men are in critical condition after being hit by gunfire at the rally.
• Matt Delaney can be reached at mdelaney@washingtontimes.com.
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