‘Can’t Understand Why’: In Dramatic Testimony, Secret Service Chief Lays Out Views of Gunman On Roof

During Tuesday’s Senate Homeland Security Committee hearing, Acting Secret Service Director John Rowe faced tough questions from Senator Gary Peters regarding the security failures that allowed a gunman to fire shots during a recent Trump rally in Butler.

Senator Peters, visibly dismayed, pressed Rowe on the specifics of a detailed site survey that reportedly failed to identify the threat posed by the AGR building's roof, where the assailant positioned himself.

"Why was the assailant not seen?" Rowe queried rhetorically, pointing to an image depicting the clear view the gunman had of the rally from the vantage point on the roof. "This was the view we were told would be covered," he emphasized, detailing the assurances given earlier in the day through face-to-face meetings and coordination among team leads.

Rowe continued to illustrate the limitations faced by the Secret Service's counter-sniper teams stationed closer to President Trump, highlighting that the gunman remained mostly concealed from their line of sight.

"This is what our counter-sniper team saw," Rowe explained. 

He also laid out the view that Secret Service counter-snipers closer to Trump would have had of the gunman, saying the shooter would have been mostly hidden from their view.

"This is what our counter-sniper team saw," Rowe said. 

"Let me just tell you, this counter-sniper, this individual, I know him, I consider him a friend. He has covered me operationally in conflict zones and when I did my time on the president's detail," Rowe added. “He exemplifies the courage, skill and the ability to respond under great stress in such a short time to neutralize the threat and prevent further loss of life.”

Rowe expressed confusion about how the shooter could have been unnoticed by police who had a better view of the roof. 

"When I laid in that position I could not and I will not and I cannot understand why there was not better coverage, or at least somebody looking at that roofline, when that's where they were posted," Rowe said.