Trump shot at Rally

[acptulsa]

Then again, I could be completely wrong.

I'm thinking (for what my opinion is worth) that you're better informed than ~95% of the population. The tricky part these days is figuring out what all that information adds up to.

Was Trump facing towards or away from the barns?

Toward.

Look at the twixt in Brian's post just above yours.

[Okie RP fan]

I'm thinking (for what my opinion is worth) that you're better informed than ~95% of the population. The tricky part these days is figuring out what all that information adds up to.

Can't rep you again right now (if we're still doing that around here), but thanks.
And can't agree more on your last part.

[Lindsey]

This guy said 3 months ago that Trump would be shot in the ear:

(At 11:00 mark)

[oyarde]

So local kid , 20 yr old wite male , lone gunmen , dem donor , 5.56 ar15 from Dad. Pretty predictible

[acptulsa]

...5.56 ar15 from Dad...

And likely a bellyful of SSRIs, too.

[oyarde]

And likely a bellyful of SSRIs, too.

someting certainly

[Brian4Liberty]

https://x.com/larryelder/status/1812560759291068587

I thought it had to be a fake screenshot but it's actually on the AP website.

https://apnews.com/live/election-bid...tes-07-13-2024

Yep.

Another Uvalde style officer.

Possible correction: An eye witness was just on with Laura Ingraham, and he saw the cop climb up the building. It didn't sound like he was on a ladder, but just climbed up to where he could pull himself up and look on the roof. That was when he saw the gunman and dropped from the edge of the roof. Obviously if you are pulling yourself up with both hands to look, there is no way to pull your gun and engage.

[69360]

And likely a bellyful of SSRIs, too.

Of course and don't forget the FBI or CIA agent he was chatting with online that pushed him into doing it.

[GlennwaldSnowdenAssanged]

The Alphabets have several contingency plans to ensure that the election goes as intended.

[A. Havnes]

Looks like the killer was previously in a Blackrock ad. Can't get the image to show...



https://i.4cdn.org/pol/1721000176059244.png

[nobody's_hero]

Attachment 8405

https://x.com/jmart/status/1812594585866313986

You can see there is a slight peak on the building where the shooter was located. He probably would not be visible to the SS snipers until he went to the peak to shoot.

Tried to analyze the footage and it seems like the people hit were in the top left of the stands (stage-right). Which would mean those follow up shots would have to have been some wild fliers.

I wonder if he realized he botched the initial shot and decided to just do random damage.



Yeah found this video, those last shots were not aimed at anyone in particular, I'm certain of it. (need a YT account to view, apparently)

[69360]

Looks like the killer was previously in a Blackrock ad. Can't get the image to show...



https://i.4cdn.org/pol/1721000176059244.png

They confirmed.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/blackrock...230119019.html

[69360]

Just watched Biden's why can't we all just get along address. Notice that he mentioned all the democratic victims but neglected to mention Congresional baseball shooting or the attack on Rand. I don't know why Biden even bothered. This like his other interview did nothing to help him. I'm sure the media will fawn over him for it.

[Matt Collins]

https://x.com/TRHLofficial/status/1812625041055527093

[Matt Collins]

https://x.com/cenkuygur/status/1812386902236160373

[Brian4Liberty]

Tried to analyze the footage and it seems like the people hit were in the top left of the stands (stage-right). Which would mean those follow up shots would have to have been some wild fliers.

I wonder if he realized he botched the initial shot and decided to just do random damage.
...
Yeah found this video, those last shots were not aimed at anyone in particular, I'm certain of it. (need a YT account to view, apparently)

I thought about that right after the shooting. It could have been just to do damage, or it could have been adrenaline and rapid fire, which never results in well-placed shots. The first shot is the most important one. Miss that one, and the rest probably won't hit the target, unless the shooter is well practiced, calm, and takes enough time to sight in each shot. Plus it's a moving target. After the first shot, there was a dogpile that may have been out of the shooters sight.

[unknown]

https://x.com/TRHLofficial/status/1812625041055527093

Based.

[ClaytonB]

[unknown]

https://rumble.com/v56xnjm-thomas-matthew-crooks-who-tried-assassinating-president-donald-trump-was-fe.html

[Brian4Liberty]

Actually, that is video of the counter-sniper flinching and moving before he actually took the shots.

Almost every reply to the video pointed out the same thing. The counter-snipers flinched and ducked to a certain extent. Which is not surprising. If they are combat veterans, and you hear shots coming your way, you duck. It's automatic, and the prudent thing to do. Find your target after the shots. I am not convinced that they could fully see the shooter before he started shooting. After you hear a close shooter but you are not sure where they are, you're going to have to look over your scope and find the target with your bare eyes, for a much greater field of vision. Their reaction was one of surprise. And I am skeptical of rumors that they were communicating with superiors who denied them permission to engage.

[Matt Collins]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlClsCNp7oQ

[unknown]

[unknown]

If this was the actual cover, that's crazy.

[unknown]

[redmod79]

Funny! It's entertaining watching you and your fellow zio-shills all over the net psyop your way into Trump being the new Herr Fuhrer, exactly as Revelation describes, since the book requires the AC to come and rain down terror (in the form of temporary fascism) before the "Kingdom of God", the coming of which you have exalted on RPF repeatedly, can be established. Yet you deny it and continue on like a true psychopath. But I'm the one lying? Keep on goin' Swordy. You're doing great!

Again from ChatGPT, regarding the reformers' view on this subject....

Daniel 7: The Fourth Beast and the Little Horn
The Fourth Beast

Description: In Daniel 7:7, the fourth beast is described as "dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth." This beast represents the Roman Empire.
Ten Horns: These horns represent ten kingdoms that arise out of the Roman Empire after its division. Historicist interpreters often identify these kingdoms as:
Visigoths
Ostrogoths
Vandals
Franks
Lombards
Anglo-Saxons
Heruli
Burgundians
Suebi
Alemanni

The Little Horn

Daniel 7:8, 24-25: The little horn arises among the ten horns, symbolizing a power that is different from the other ten. It "shall subdue three kings" (Daniel 7:24) and is characterized by speaking "great words against the most High," persecuting the saints, and attempting to change "times and laws" (Daniel 7:25).
Identification: The little horn is widely identified by Reformers as the papacy. The papacy is seen as a unique and diverse power, arising after the fragmentation of the Roman Empire and exerting significant religious and political influence.
Subduing Three Kings: The Heruli, Vandals, and Ostrogoths were subdued, paving the way for the papacy's rise.

Revelation 13: The First Beast and Its Seven Heads
The First Beast

Description: Revelation 13:1-2 describes the beast as having "seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy." This beast also combines elements of the lion, bear, and leopard, symbolizing the previous empires of Babylon, Medo-Persia, and Greece, respectively.
Seven Heads: The seven heads are interpreted as successive phases or manifestations of power within the Roman Empire, culminating in the papacy. They are:
Egypt: The empire that first oppressed God's people.
Assyria: The empire that conquered the Northern Kingdom of Israel.
Babylon: The empire that destroyed Jerusalem and led Judah into exile.
Medo-Persia: The empire that overthrew Babylon and allowed the Jews to return.
Greece: The empire established by Alexander the Great, which spread Hellenistic culture.
Pagan Rome: The empire that ruled during the time of Christ and the early church.
Papal Rome: The ecclesiastical power of the papacy that rose after the fall of the Western Roman Empire.
The Eighth King: Revelation 17:11 explains that the beast "is himself also an eighth, and is one of the seven." This refers to the papacy being the seventh head that receives a deadly wound but is revived, symbolizing the restoration of papal power.

<1> See my comments below regarding the list above

The Deadly Wound and Its Healing

Deadly Wound: The papacy's temporal power was significantly diminished in 1798 when Pope Pius VI was captured by Napoleon's General Berthier.
Healing of the Wound: The Lateran Treaty of 1929 restored the Pope's temporal power by establishing Vatican City as an independent sovereign state. This event is seen as the healing of the deadly wound mentioned in Revelation 13:3.

Combined Historicist Interpretation
Historical Flow and Prophetic Fulfillment

Daniel 7:
Fourth Beast: Represents the Roman Empire.
Ten Horns: Symbolize the ten kingdoms that arose after the fall of the Western Roman Empire.
Little Horn: Identified as the papacy, which rose to power by subduing three of the ten kingdoms (Heruli, Vandals, Ostrogoths).

Revelation 13:
Seven Heads: Represent successive world empires, with the sixth being Pagan Rome and the seventh being Papal Rome.
First Beast: Describes the combination of the seven heads and ten horns, emphasizing the continuity of Roman influence through the papacy.
Deadly Wound and Healing: The papacy's decline in 1798 and its revival in 1929.

Reformers' View
Identification of the Papacy

Martin Luther: Saw the papacy as the Antichrist and the fulfillment of the little horn prophecy.
John Calvin: Identified the papacy as the Antichrist, focusing on its blasphemous claims and persecution of true believers.
John Wycliffe: Condemned the papacy as the Antichrist, criticizing its deviation from biblical teachings.
William Tyndale: Criticized the papacy as the Antichrist, highlighting its theological errors and persecution.
John Knox: Viewed the papacy as the Antichrist, condemning its authority and practices.

Conclusion

The Reformers interpreted the little horn in Daniel 7 and the first beast in Revelation 13 as symbols of the papacy. They viewed the seven heads of the beast as representing successive world empires, with the papacy being the final and most significant head <1> see my comments below. The ten horns symbolize the divided kingdoms that emerged from the Roman Empire's collapse, with the little horn (the papacy) arising among them. The deadly wound inflicted in 1798 and its healing in 1929 are seen as key prophetic events, confirming the papacy's enduring influence and fulfilling the biblical prophecies in both Daniel and Revelation.


###########

<1> The reformers' did not actually list the kingdoms shown above, ChatGPT was getting this confused with later historicist interpretations, in particular Adventist historicist interpretation, which I subscribe to. However, their views were similar. Here's some additional context regarding this from ChatGPT.


Reformers’ and Historicists’ Views

Institutional Focus:
Papacy as an Institution: The Reformers, including Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Wycliffe, William Tyndale, and John Knox, identified the papacy as the Antichrist, focusing on the papal system rather than individual popes. They saw the papal institution as fulfilling the prophecies in Daniel 7 and Revelation 13.
Historical Movements: Historicist interpreters view the prophecies as unfolding through significant historical periods and movements rather than through the actions of single individuals. The focus is on the rise and fall of empires and institutional powers.

The Deadly Wound in Revelation 13:3:
Event in 1798: The deadly wound is typically identified with the events of 1798, when General Louis-Alexandre Berthier, under Napoleon’s orders, captured Pope Pius VI and declared the Papal States abolished. This event significantly diminished the temporal power of the papacy.
Healing of the Wound: The Lateran Treaty of 1929 is seen as the healing of this wound, restoring the Pope’s temporal authority and reestablishing Vatican City as an independent sovereign state. This restoration is viewed as a revival of the papal institution’s power, not the rise of an individual.

Revelation 13:3 Context:
Symbolic Representation: The heads of the beast are symbolic of successive phases of Roman power, culminating in the papal system. The wound and its healing refer to the institutional power of the papacy being temporarily broken and then restored, not the personal fate of a modern individual.

Consistency with Historicist Interpretation:
Continuity of Interpretation: Historicist interpreters maintain a consistent view that the prophecies relate to major historical developments involving the Roman Empire and its continuation in the form of the papal system. Shifting this interpretation to focus on a modern individual would break with the historicist method of interpreting these prophecies through the lens of significant historical and institutional changes.

Conclusion

Based on the views of the Reformers and other historicists, it is not consistent to interpret the head that received a deadly wound in Revelation 13 as referring to a modern individual. The historicist perspective focuses on the papal system and its historical developments rather than individual persons. The deadly wound and its healing are understood in the context of the papal institution’s decline in 1798 and its restoration in 1929 <2>, emphasizing the continuity of institutional power rather than personal events.

<2> In my personal opinion the wound is not yet healed, since the papacy is a persecuting power and it is not there yet. Almost...


################

Please note, this is not trying to absolve Trump of anything. He may very well play a part with the second beast in Revelation 13, which is the joining of apostate protestantism with USA government to set up an image to the first beast...

more from ChatGPT

Reformers' Focus and Views on the First Beast
Identification of the Papacy

The major Reformers, including Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Wycliffe, William Tyndale, and John Knox, primarily focused their critiques on the Roman Catholic Church and the papacy, which they identified as the Antichrist and the first beast of Revelation 13 and the little horn of Daniel 7.

Revelation 13:1-2 (First Beast):
“And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.”
The Reformers identified this beast as the papal system, emphasizing its blasphemous claims and persecutory actions.

Daniel 7:8 (Little Horn):
“I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.”
The little horn is identified with the papacy, which arose among the ten kingdoms that succeeded the Roman Empire.

Lack of Detailed Exegesis on the Second Beast

The Reformers did not extensively comment on or identify the second beast of Revelation 13 in their writings. Their main concern was the identification of the papal system as the Antichrist.
Later Historicist Interpretations: The Second Beast

While the Reformers themselves did not specifically identify the second beast, later historicist interpreters, particularly within the Seventh-day Adventist tradition, provided a detailed interpretation:

Revelation 13:11-18 (Second Beast):
“And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, and deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.”

Identification of the Second Beast

United States: The second beast is interpreted as the United States, symbolizing a nation that starts with principles of religious freedom (lamb-like) but eventually speaks like a dragon (exercises coercive power).
Two Horns: Representing civil and religious liberty, foundational principles of the United States.
Lamb-like Appearance and Dragon-like Speech: This signifies that while the United States started with principles of freedom, it would eventually become coercive and oppressive, particularly in religious matters.

The Image of the Beast

Definition: The image of the beast is generally interpreted as a system or entity that replicates the characteristics and authority of the first beast (the papal system).
Creation of the Image: This involves the United States (the second beast) leading in the establishment of a system that mirrors the religious and political authority of the papacy.
Enforcement: The image of the beast enforces worship and allegiance to the authority it represents, using coercive power to persecute those who refuse to comply.

Key Elements of the Image of the Beast

Union of Church and State:
The image of the beast involves the replication of the papal system’s union of church and state, where religious authority dictates civil policies and enforces religious practices.

Persecution and Coercion:
Just as the papacy historically persecuted dissenters, the image of the beast would also persecute those who refuse to comply with its enforced religious practices.

Sunday Legislation:
Historicist interpreters, particularly in the Adventist tradition, view the enforcement of Sunday worship laws as a central aspect of the image of the beast. This mirrors the papal change of the Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday and its enforcement.

Global Influence:
The second beast exercises authority on behalf of the first beast, indicating that the United States will play a significant role in promoting and enforcing this image on a global scale.

Conclusion

Reformers’ Focus: The Reformers concentrated on identifying the papacy as the Antichrist and the first beast of Revelation 13. They did not provide detailed interpretations of the second beast.
Later Interpretations: Later historicist interpreters, particularly within the Adventist tradition, have identified the second beast as the United States, focusing on its role in creating an image to the first beast and enforcing religious practices.
Legacy: The foundational work of the Reformers laid the groundwork for these later interpretations, emphasizing the dangers of religious and political power combined in oppressive systems.

This combined explanation incorporates the Reformers' primary focus on the papacy and the detailed historicist interpretation of the second beast and its role in end-time prophecy, supported by relevant Bible verses.

###############

Some other reformers' views...

Thomas Tillam and Peter Chamberlen on Enforced Sunday Worship and the Mark of the Beast
Thomas Tillam (c. 1630-1670)

Background: Thomas Tillam was an English Baptist minister known for advocating the seventh-day Sabbath.
Views on Sunday Worship: Tillam argued that Sunday observance was a departure from the biblical Sabbath and a corruption introduced by the Roman Catholic Church.
Mark of the Beast: Tillam associated enforced Sunday worship with the mark of the beast, viewing the shift from Saturday to Sunday worship as a significant departure from biblical teachings, aligned with the authority of the papacy, which he considered the beast.
Reference: Though explicit writings from Tillam directly labeling Sunday worship as the mark of the beast are not easily available, his general stance on the seventh-day Sabbath versus Sunday observance can be found in works like:
Thomas Tillam's Book of Revelation (1650).

Peter Chamberlen (1601-1683)

Background: Chamberlen was an English physician and a supporter of the seventh-day Sabbath.
Views on Sunday Worship: Chamberlen opposed Sunday observance, advocating for the biblical Sabbath (Saturday) and viewing the change as a significant error perpetuated by the Roman Catholic Church.
Mark of the Beast: Chamberlen linked enforced Sunday observance to the mark of the beast, believing that the adoption and enforcement of Sunday worship were aligned with the authority and practices of the papal system, fulfilling the prophecy of the beast in Revelation.
Reference: Chamberlen's views are documented in:
Chamberlen, Peter. The Seventh-day Sabbath Sought Out and Celebrated. London, 1668.

Context and Significance

Historical Context: Both Tillam and Chamberlen lived during a period of religious reform in England. The Protestant Reformation had challenged many Catholic doctrines, but the shift from Saturday to Sunday worship remained unchallenged by mainstream Protestantism.
Critique of Ecclesiastical Authority: They criticized the continuation of Sunday worship by Protestant churches, seeing it as an unbiblical practice rooted in Roman Catholic tradition. They believed that adhering to Scripture required observing the seventh-day Sabbath.
Influence: Their advocacy contributed to the broader Sabbatarian movement, which sought to restore the observance of the biblical Sabbath. This movement influenced later groups, such as the Seventh-day Baptists and Seventh-day Adventists, who continued to uphold the seventh-day Sabbath.

Later Development

Ellen G. White and Seventh-day Adventism: Ellen G. White, a key figure in the Seventh-day Adventist Church, wrote extensively about the Sabbath and Sunday observance. She identified enforced Sunday worship as a significant religious error linked to the papal system.
Reference: White, Ellen G. The Great Controversy. 1888.

Conclusion

Thomas Tillam and Peter Chamberlen were significant 17th-century figures who opposed enforced Sunday worship and advocated for the seventh-day Sabbath. They associated Sunday observance with the authority of the papal system and viewed it as part of the mark of the beast. Their views were rooted in a desire to adhere strictly to biblical commandments and reject what they saw as unscriptural traditions imposed by the Roman Catholic Church. Their writings and advocacy were part of a larger Sabbatarian movement that sought to restore the biblical Sabbath and challenge prevailing religious practices.

################

Thomas Tillam's Views on the Beasts in Revelation 13 and the Mark of the Beast

Based on the document "The Seventh Day Sabbath Sought Out" by Thomas Tillam, we can discern his views regarding the beasts in Revelation 13 and their connection to the mark of the beast. Here are the relevant points from the text:
General Critique of the Papacy

Antichrist and the Papacy: Tillam identifies the papal system as the Antichrist, aligning it with the little horn of Daniel 7 and the beast in Revelation. He criticizes the Roman Catholic Church for changing divine laws, including the Sabbath.
Quote: “The first Royal Law that ever Jehovah instituted, and for our Example celebrated, (namely his blessed Seventh∣day Sabbath,) is in these very last days become the last great controversy between the Saints and the Man of sin, The Changer of Times and Laws”​​.
Quote: “The very same Horn who thus imposed his Canons upon our consciences, must change our Times no less than our Laws, or else he is not Antichrist”​​.

Association with the Beasts in Revelation 13

The First Beast: Tillam associates the papal system with the first beast of Revelation 13, which has characteristics that align with his description of the papal power changing times and laws.
Quote: “The Beasts Wafer cakes and Water instead of enjoyned Bread and Wine, will be as excusable one day as the change of God’s holy Sabbath”​​.

The Second Beast: While Tillam does not explicitly describe the second beast of Revelation 13 in detail, he alludes to the continuation and support of papal authority through other powers.
Quote: “The Proud image of the Beast pushed at them, and undoubtedly whatsoever relique remains of the Beasts image in the present powers, will be putting forth the horn to push at the observers of the true seventh-day Sabbath”​​.

The Image of the Beast

Image and Enforcement: Tillam suggests that the enforcement of Sunday worship, as propagated by the papal system, is part of the image of the beast described in Revelation 13.
Quote: “Have you got victory over the Beast, and beheld the Holy One tumble down his Image, and will you now lose all your labors for want of a complete victory over the Mark of the Beast, which is so visible and legible in the head of the little Horn, The changer of Times and Laws”​​.

The Mark of the Beast

Association with Sunday Worship: Tillam explicitly links the observance of the seventh-day Sabbath with overcoming the "mark of the beast." He views the enforcement of Sunday worship as a significant departure from God's commandments, aligned with the authority of the papacy.
Quote: “Have you got victory over the Beast, and beheld the Holy One tumble down his Image, and will you now lose all your labors for want of a complete victory over the Mark of the Beast, which is so visible and legible in the head of the little Horn, The changer of Times and Laws”​​.

Summary

Critique of the Papacy: Thomas Tillam identifies the papal system as the Antichrist, associating it with the beasts in Revelation 13 and the little horn in Daniel 7.
First Beast: He sees the papal system's authority and its changes to divine laws, especially the Sabbath, as characteristics of the first beast.
Second Beast and Image: Although not explicitly detailed, he hints at other powers supporting the papal system and enforcing its decrees, thus forming the image of the beast.
Enforced Sunday Worship and the Mark of the Beast: Tillam strongly criticizes the shift from Saturday to Sunday worship, viewing it as a continuation of papal authority and an aspect of the beast's mark. He links adherence to the seventh-day Sabbath with rejecting the mark of the beast, emphasizing the importance of maintaining biblical commandments.

This interpretation aligns with the historicist perspective, which sees these prophecies as unfolding through significant historical and institutional changes rather than focusing on individual actions. The document provides a clear example of 17th-century thought on the subject, emphasizing the importance of adhering to the biblical Sabbath and rejecting enforced Sunday observance as part of resisting the mark of the beast.

###############

done with ChatGPT for now, this can go on forever

[nobody's_hero]

Almost every reply to the video pointed out the same thing. The counter-snipers flinched and ducked to a certain extent. Which is not surprising. If they are combat veterans, and you hear shots coming your way, you duck. It's automatic, and the prudent thing to do. Find your target after the shots. I am not convinced that they could fully see the shooter before he started shooting. After you hear a close shooter but you are not sure where they are, you're going to have to look over your scope and find the target with your bare eyes, for a much greater field of vision. Their reaction was one of surprise. And I am skeptical of rumors that they were communicating with superiors who denied them permission to engage.

I'm not sure what they were so intently focused on. Both the marksman and the spotter appear to be looking in the same direction, which would make sense if they were already ID'ing a potential target.

The whole point of having a spotter working alongside the marksman is to expand your coverage when looking for potential threats. If they're both looking at the same thing, that's tunnel-vision. Again, it would make sense if they were preparing to fire, but if they're just trying to stay alert "360-degrees", they failed miserably at that.

Also, the spotter has his rifle ready. I assume the SS has binoculars (or at least, some sort of magnification device that offers more field-of-view than a scope), which would make more sense for the spotter to use while scanning, unless—again—they were already preparing to take a shot.

Although, I do agree that they both look caught-off-guard by the first shots.

[69360]

Almost every reply to the video pointed out the same thing. The counter-snipers flinched and ducked to a certain extent. Which is not surprising. If they are combat veterans, and you hear shots coming your way, you duck. It's automatic, and the prudent thing to do. Find your target after the shots. I am not convinced that they could fully see the shooter before he started shooting. After you hear a close shooter but you are not sure where they are, you're going to have to look over your scope and find the target with your bare eyes, for a much greater field of vision. Their reaction was one of surprise. And I am skeptical of rumors that they were communicating with superiors who denied them permission to engage.

It's doubtful they had weapons free orders.

[ClaytonB]

"Men ought either to be well treated or crushed, because they can avenge themselves of lighter injuries, of more serious ones they cannot; therefore the injury that is to be done to a man ought to be of such a kind that one does not stand in fear of revenge." (Niccolo Machiavelli, The Prince)

Or, in modern lingo, "If you come at the king, you best not miss."

[Brian4Liberty]

I'm not sure what they were so intently focused on. Both the marksman and the spotter appear to be looking in the same direction, which would make sense if they were already ID'ing a potential target.

The whole point of having a spotter working alongside the marksman is to expand your coverage when looking for potential threats. If they're both looking at the same thing, that's tunnel-vision. Again, it would make sense if they were preparing to fire, but if they're just trying to stay alert "360-degrees", they failed miserably at that.

Also, the spotter has his rifle ready. I assume the SS has binoculars (or at least, some sort of magnification device that offers more field-of-view than a scope), which would make more sense for the spotter to use while scanning, unless—again—they were already preparing to take a shot.

Although, I do agree that they both look caught-off-guard by the first shots.

There was video of them using binoculars too. It's entirely possible they saw the commotion amongst the spectators out there, but couldn't spot the shooter who was staying low on the roof on the other side of the peak (until he started shooting). And as many have noted, those snipers would have a responsibility to much further out than where the shooter actually was.

[nobody's_hero]

Yeah angle of the roof it would have made it hard to see him until he crested.