A counter-sniper who worked at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania has raised serious concerns about the FBI's handling of evidence following an assassination attempt on the former president.

According to Daily Mail Online, Ben Shaffer, a Washington Regional SWAT counter-sniper, expressed his worries during a panel discussion hosted by the Heritage Foundation.

The event focused on the July 13 incident where gunman Thomas Matthew Crook opened fire at a Trump rally.  Shaffer's main points of concern centered around two key issues: the rapid cleaning of the roof where the gunman was positioned and the disposal of Crook's body before an official autopsy could be conducted.

When questioned by Rep. Cory Mills of Florida about these matters, Shaffer agreed that both actions were "absolutely" concerning and unusual.

FBI's Roof Cleaning And Body Disposal Questioned

The counter-sniper found it odd that the FBI cleaned the roof of the AGR International building, where Crook had positioned himself, just days after the attempted assassination.

This action was particularly puzzling given that former Secret Service head Kimberly Cheatle had previously stated the roof was too sloped to station an agent.

Shaffer also expressed concern about the quick disposal of Crook's body. According to Rep. Clay Higgins, who released a preliminary report on the incident, Crook's body was released for cremation on July 23, just ten days after the attack. This action prevented independent investigators from further examining the body.

Erik Prince, a former Navy SEAL present at the panel, went as far as to suggest that these actions could be seen as "destruction of evidence."

Congressional Task Force Investigates Security Failures

In response to the assassination attempt, a bipartisan congressional task force was formed to investigate the security failures that led to the incident.

Several members of this group recently toured the site in Butler, Pennsylvania, expressing shock at how close the gunman was to the stage where Trump was speaking.

Rep. Laurel Lee, R-Fla., noted that seeing the physical space raised more questions than answers. The proximity of the buildings to the stage where Trump stood that day was particularly concerning to the lawmakers.

Rep. Jason Crowe, D-Colo., a former Army Ranger, pointed out the numerous "lines of sight that appeared to have been unsecured that day," further highlighting the security lapses that allowed the attack to occur.

FBI Denies Wrongdoing Amid Ongoing Investigation

Despite the concerns raised by Shaffer and others, the FBI has strongly denied any wrongdoing in its handling of the investigation. In a statement, the bureau insisted that it had followed normal procedures in managing the crime scene and evidence.

The FBI stated, "Any suggestion the FBI is interfering with congressional efforts to look into the attempted assassination which took place in Butler, Pennsylvania is inaccurate and unfounded." The bureau maintained that it had been working closely with law enforcement partners to conduct a thorough investigation.

According to the FBI, the crime scene was released to property owners in phases as work was completed, and the cleaning of the location where the perpetrator died was in keeping with normal procedures. The bureau also defended its decision to release Crook's body to his family, stating that this action was coordinated with the coroner's office and local law enforcement partners.

Why This Story Matters

This incident not only highlights potential lapses in security protocol and evidence management but poses serious questions about the integrity of the investigative process in high-stakes scenarios. It emphasizes the need for transparent and accountable law enforcement operations to maintain public trust, especially in politically sensitive cases.

Chairman Mike Kelly has called for patience and diligence in uncovering the truth, suggesting the preliminary rush to clear the scene could undermine the credibility of the findings. “I would love for them to wait until we finally find out what has happened, as opposed to getting out early,” Kelly expressed during a discussion about the ongoing investigation.

In conclusion, the controversy surrounding the FBI's handling of evidence in the Trump rally assassination attempt continues to grow. Ben Shaffer's testimony has added weight to concerns about potential evidence tampering. The bipartisan task force's ongoing investigation aims to uncover the full extent of security failures that led to the incident. As the investigation progresses, questions about the FBI's actions and the overall security measures in place during the rally remain at the forefront of public discourse.