In a dramatic escalation of security concerns, the FBI has revealed that Thomas Matthew Crooks, the shooter involved in the recent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, livestreamed drone footage of the rally site just hours before the attack. The incident took place on July 13, 2024, at the Butler Farm Show Grounds in Pennsylvania.
Crooks, a 20-year-old from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, managed to access a rooftop approximately 140 yards from the stage where Trump was speaking. Utilizing a semiautomatic rifle, he fired shots that resulted in an injury to Trump's right ear and killed one rally attendee. The fallen victim was identified as Corey Comperatore, a 50-year-old firefighter who died shielding his family. Two other individuals were critically injured but are now in stable condition.
A social media video of the alleged shooter who assassinated Donald Trump has also emerged – in the video he is telling that he hates Trump and Republicans –#Trump #USA #shooting #Trump2024 #Election2024 pic.twitter.com/YdUQGkUYes
— Hamdan News (@HamdanWahe57839) July 15, 2024
The FBI's investigation has shed light on Crooks' activities leading up to the shooting. FBI Director Christopher Wray confirmed during a congressional hearing that Crooks had flown a drone over the rally site, capturing and livestreaming footage of the grounds. This revelation raises significant questions about the effectiveness of the security measures in place, as witnesses had reported seeing Crooks on the roof prior to the shooting.
The incident has sparked a broader discussion about the Secret Service's preparedness and response.
PBS live stream footage of attempted assassination of Trump.
You will hear loud bangs.
Trump touches his ear. He was grazed.Then you will hear secret service state the shooter is down and that Trump has blood on his shirt.
Whoa. pic.twitter.com/gJLVSKX8c9
— The Sassiest Minx in MN 🌊 (@SassiestMinx) July 13, 2024
Despite being notified of the suspicious individual on the roof, the Secret Service failed to neutralize the threat in time, leading to what is being described as the most significant security breach since the attempted assassination of President Reagan in 1981.
President Joe Biden condemned the violence, emphasizing that political differences should be resolved at the ballot box, not through acts of violence. The shooting occurred just two days before the start of the Republican National Convention, where Trump was officially nominated as the GOP's presidential candidate for the upcoming election.
This assassination attempt marks the latest in a series of violent threats against Trump. Previous incidents include a 2016 Las Vegas rally where a man attempted to seize a firearm to shoot Trump and a 2017 incident in North Dakota where an individual tried to attack Trump's motorcade with a stolen forklift.
As the investigation continues, the FBI is scrutinizing Crooks' background and motivations, including his online activity and research into previous political assassinations. This ongoing inquiry will likely lead to increased scrutiny of security protocols at political events, particularly those involving high-profile figures like Trump.
