Questions Arise Over Swift Cleanup and Cremation of Gunman’s Body
The handling of the aftermath of the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump has come under scrutiny, with serious concerns raised by a SWAT counter-sniper involved in the incident.
SWAT sniper expresses concerns
Ben Shaffer, a counter-sniper with the Washington Regional SWAT team, voiced his apprehensions during a panel hosted by the Heritage Foundation on Monday. Shaffer specifically addressed reports that the roof of the AGR International building, where the 20-year-old gunman Thomas Matthew Crook was stationed, was cleaned rapidly after the rally. He described this development as “absolutely” concerning.
Suspicious cremation
Shaffer also agreed with Republican lawmakers who found it suspicious that Crook’s body was allegedly cremated before an official autopsy could be released. According to Shaffer, Crook should have been elevated from a “person of interest” to someone “who would have warranted some type of investigatory detention” because he was found using a range finder.
Lawmakers question FBI actions
Florida Representative Cory Mills questioned Shaffer about the FBI’s decision to clean the sloped roof of the AGR International building, which former Secret Service head Kimberly Cheatle stated was too steep to station an agent. This hearing took place roughly a week after Representative Clay Higgins, an ex-police officer and member of the House select task force investigating the assassination attempt, disseminated a preliminary six-page report to a bipartisan 13-member task force.
Disturbing timeline
Higgins recounted his attempt to inspect Crook’s body on August 5, which “caused quite a stir and revealed a disturbing fact.” He added, “The FBI released the body for cremation 10 days after July 13. On July 23, Crook was gone.”
The concerns raised by Shaffer and the lawmakers underscore the need for a thorough investigation into the handling of both the crime scene and the gunman’s body. The rapid cleanup and the premature cremation have left many questions unanswered, prompting calls for greater transparency and accountability.