By Douglas J. Hagmann
While speaking at a campaign event in Reno, Nevada at approximately 6:30 PM PT, Republican Presidential nominee Donald Trump was rushed offstage by members of the United States Secret Service due to a perceived threat near the front of the stage. However, a more extensive review of other footage available shows a bit more than is being reported.
While all eyes were on the front of the stage, trouble appeared to begin about 30 seconds earlier by at least one person at the rear of the crowd, not readily visible to those tuned in to the live streaming. Almost immediately, police and security from the rear of the room began making their way to the disturbance several rows in from the rear of the crowd.
Just then, Donald Trump appeared to stop his speech and shielded his eyes from the lights, looking toward the crowd. Although it cannot be verified, it appeared that Mr. Trump was looking at the initial altercation and not at the events unfolding nearest the stage.
Within seconds, United States Secret Service agents rushed to Trump and escorted him off stage. During this time, two agents from the Secret Service and at least one bystander subdued a Caucasian male, Austyn Crites, 33, wrestling him to the floor close to the stage after someone reportedly yelled that they saw him with a gun. At this time, however, no gun was observed or found.
The suspect was escorted to a men’s room within the facility, away from the crowd for further processing. The unidentified male appears to be between 35-40 years-old, balding or closely cropped brown hair with short facial hair. He was dressed in a blue zippered jacket, black jeans and sneakers.
What is significant to note is that while everyone is reporting on the “main event,” nothing is being mentioned about the disturbance at the rear of the room. If the two incidents are proved to be related, this is alarmingly similar to the tactics identified in the Project Veritas videos, as detailed by outed political strategist and alleged professional disrupter for the Democratic Party Robert Creamer.
Viewers of the Project Veritas videos will recall Creamer’s detailed plans of placing paid disrupters in front and back of the room to exacerbate the confusion and disruption. These tactics were explained by Creamer and others who admitted paying individuals to disrupt Trump events.
More information will be provided as developed.
There is something very odd about the Reno incident, and something equally odd about the man at the center of the attention.
The suspect in the Reno incident has been identified as Austyn Daniel Crites, 33 of Reno, Nevada – an admitted supporter of and campaigner for Hillary Clinton. One posting by Crites on his Facebook page refers to Donald Trump as a “fascist and a dictator.” In addition to describing Trump as a fascist, Crites posted that he voted for Hillary Clinton and campaigned for her.
According to Crites, he was “attacked” for merely displaying a “Republicans Against Trump” sign during Trump’s speech. Following the incident, Crites told at least one reporter that he “feared for his life” as bystanders allegedly attacked him. He did not give any reason for attending the Trump rally or explain his motives further, suggesting instead that he was a victim of violence by Trump supporters.
As Crites was not found to be armed or pose any further threat to Mr. Trump, he was reportedly released. Following his release, Crites posted online, in part, “we cannot allow a fascist/dictator to take our beloved freedoms to simply boost his ego and “get back” at anyone who disagrees. Take what happened to me tonight as a classic example of dictator incitement of violence…”******
DONALD J. TRUMP STATEMENT
“I would like to thank the United States Secret Service and the law enforcement resources in Reno and the state of Nevada for their fast and professional response. I also want to thank the many thousands of people present for their unwavering and unbelievable support. Nothing will stop us – we will make America great again!” –Donald J. Trump