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Thomas Crooks took out a rangefinder which was noticed by a sniper before the rally before he "disappeared" and returned with a backpack.
Let me say that again: Snipers saw Crooks pull out a rangefinder to calculate the distance to the target and still didn't stop him.
According to CBS News, sn*pers observed Crooks checking out the structure, taking out a rangefinder, and later returning with a backpack.
Local law enforcement says Crooks kept "disappearing" before he climbed on the roof.
"One of the sn*pers inside saw Thomas Matthew Crooks outside and looking up at the roof, observing the building..." CBS reported.
"Crooks came back, sat down and looked at his phone. At that point, one of the snipers took a picture of him. Crooks took out a rangefinder and the sniper radioed to the command post."
"Crooks disappeared again and then came back a third time with a backpack. The sn*pers called in with information that he had a backpack and said he was walking towards the back of the building."
Officers now think Crooks used an air conditioning unit to get on the roof.