Unfortunate incident happened in
Butler, Pennsylvania, USA – Dated: 13th July 2024
Who was shooter THOMAS MATHEW CROOKS ?
Background and Initial Suspicion
Crooks was a young man who gained attention for his strange behavior during Donald Trump’s campaign. He was seen pacing around the rally, carrying a heavy rucksack, and peering over the rooftops behind the platform where Trump was to speak through a rangefinder. Local law enforcement officers noticed him because of his strange behavior. They photographed him and used the radio to voice their concerns. But Crooks left shortly after.
On this warm, beautiful Saturday afternoon, Crook’s photo was shared among officers stationed outside the security barrier. He remained in disguise until witnesses saw him walking toward a low-lying manufacturing structure, about 135 meters (157 yards) from the stage.
Federal investigators have uncovered thousands of links from the online phone history of the gunman who tried to assassinate former President Donald Trump, including searches involving a teenage mass shooter in Michigan, according to two law enforcement sources.
The Attack
Six minutes after Trump began speaking, Crooks opened fire in an attempt to assassinate the GOP presidential nominee. He killed one rallygoer and seriously wounded two others. Trump suffered an ear injury but wasn’t seriously hurt and appeared days later at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee with a bandage over his wound
Preparation and purpose of attack
The Crooks was ready for a physical showdown. On the day of the shooting, he bought 50 rounds and brought several loaded magazines. Years earlier, his father had legally purchased the firearm he used. Investigators found a second explosive device at his home and a bulletproof vest in his car. In the past months, he had received additional parcels containing potentially hazardous materials. The FBI conducted more than 100 interviews, searched and questioned Crooks’ automobile, home and cell phone.
Trump was shot in the ear in the assassination attempt and Crooks was killed by the Secret Service after the attack at a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Trump shooter flew drone over venue hours before attempted assassination
He made an effort, but most of his written communication was confidential. By reviewing more than 14,000 photos from his phone, investigators found that Crooks tracked the speed of the bullets online. The most important issue, though, is still unanswered: Why did he do it?
Securing events with multiple agencies
When a president, political candidate, or other high-profile official comes to town, the Secret Service always partners with local law enforcement to secure the event. Saturday’s rally was no different. An advance team arrived early to assess the scene, identify potential concerns, move vehicles, erect barricades and block roads.
Suspicious activity on the roof
The shooter, identified as Crooks, disappeared into the crowd of Trump supporters. The stream of supporters entering through metal detectors slowed as Trump was about to speak. The roof from which Crooks fired was AGR International Inc. was part of, a complex of buildings that was closed for the day except to law enforcement agencies.
Crook was once again spotted by members of a local SWAT team inside the building complex. He looked at the ceiling as he turned around. An officer took a photo of the crocs and radioed others to look for a suspect using a rangefinder, a device similar to binoculars used by hunters to measure distance from the shooter.
Six minutes after introducing the Republican candidate for president, Crooks opened fire on Trump. He killed one rally participant and seriously injured two others. Trump suffered a minor ear injury, but it was not serious, and he appeared several days later at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee with his wound bandaged.
Law enforcement and security measures
The Secret Service regularly engages with local law enforcement agencies to ensure the safety of presidential candidates, top officials and other guests. The example in question was not an anomaly. An advance team arrived early to survey the area, identify potential problems, relocate cars, erect barricades and block roads.
Six minutes after Trump spoke, the man opened fire in an attempt to kill the GOP presidential candidate. He killed one rally goer and seriously injured two others. Trump suffered an ear injury but was not seriously injured and appeared a few days later at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee with his wound bandaged.
Investigation begins
As suspicions surfaced, multiple inquiries were launched to uncover the crime and the ways in which law enforcement agencies may have contributed to it. It’s becoming increasingly clear that this was a complex takedown involving many mistakes made by at least nine law enforcement agencies at the local and federal levels that were meant to cooperate. Law enforcement agencies issued a warning regarding the possibility of further violence and simulated attacks.
This account is based on interviews with eight law enforcement officials and four people familiar with law enforcement briefings given to senators. Some spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity to discuss the investigation.
What the Witnesses saw / The Confrontation with the shooter
Witnesses later saw Crux climb onto a low-rise building closest to the stage. He placed his AR-style rifle on the roof, with a detonator in his pocket nearby for the explosive devices in his car. A local officer climbed onto the roof to investigate, but Crook turned and pointed his rifle at him. The officer did not fire, but Crooks fired into the crowd and toward Trump. Secret Service agents shielded Trump and dragged him off the stage. Two counter-sniper teams were stationed on the buildings behind Trump, and the team ahead of Crooks fired once, killing him.
Crook was initially spotted by members of a local SWAT team inside the building’s premises. He looked at the ceiling as he turned around. An officer photographed the crocs and radioed others to look for a suspect using a rangefinder, a device similar to binoculars used by hunters to measure distance.
Safeguards and investigations
Security for Trump, President Joe Biden, and independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Biden has been increased, an independent review of the shooting has been ordered, and the Department of Homeland Security’s inspector general is investigating the Secret Service’s handling of the incident. has started. incident
Ongoing investigation
An investigation is ongoing, with the aim of uncovering more details about the planning and motivations behind the attack and ensuring better security measures for future incidents. There is work ahead.
FBI briefing and timeline
At a congressional briefing, FBI and Secret Service officials provided a clear timeline: Crook was identified as a potential threat an hour before the shooting. It was seen with a rangefinder about 40 minutes earlier, and then again using a rangefinder about 20 minutes before the shooting.
Safeguards and investigations
Security for Trump, President Joe Biden, and independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Biden has been increased, an independent review of the shooting has been ordered, and the Department of Homeland Security’s inspector general is investigating the Secret Service’s handling of the incident. has started.
Ongoing investigation
An investigation is ongoing, with the aim of uncovering more details about the planning and motivations behind the attack and ensuring better security measures for future incidents. The work ahead is enormous, including interviews with many law enforcement officers and a thorough review of security protocols. A young man was spotted wandering the fringes of a Donald Trump campaign rally, carrying a large backpack and using a rangefinder to look at the rooftops behind the stage where Trump was soon to speak. His behavior was strange, which made him stand out from the other rally goers. Local law enforcement noticed his strange behavior, radioed their concerns, and took a photo. But then he disappeared.
A photo of the man was shared among officers outside the security perimeter on a hot, sunny Saturday afternoon. He did not reappear until witnesses saw him climbing the ledge of a low manufacturing building about 135 meters (157 yards) from the stage.
Six minutes after Trump spoke, the man opened fire in an attempt to kill the GOP presidential candidate. He killed one rally goer and seriously injured two others. Trump suffered an ear injury but was not seriously injured and appeared several days later at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee with his wound bandaged.
Conclusion
The task ahead is enormous. Special agents, presidential security teams, counter-assault and counter-sniper teams, about 50 firefighters and emergency personnel, plus dozens of local police officers, deputies from nearby counties, and state troopers were all on hand that day. It would take weeks, if not months, to interview and determine everyone since Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981.
The bullies were ready for violence. He brought several loaded magazines and bought 50 rounds on the day of the shooting. The rifle was legally purchased by his father years ago. Investigators found a bulletproof vest in his car and another explosive device in his home. He had received several packages with potentially dangerous contents in the earlier months. The FBI accessed Crooks’ cellophane, searched his computer, home and car, and interviewed more than 100 people. Despite these efforts, most of his communications were encrypted, and investigators are reviewing more than 14,000 photos on his phone. They discover that Crooks studied bullet speeds online, but the biggest question remains unanswered: Why did he do it?
Two injured shooting victims at Trump rally identified
Two people who were shot during Saturday’s Donald Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, and who are now stable were identified Sunday by state police.
Pennsylvania
State Police identified David Dutch, 57, of New Kensington, Pennsylvania, and 74-year-old James Copenhaver from Moon Township, Pennsylvania, in a Sunday press release.
The state police also confirmed the name of Corey Comperatore, 50, as the victim who was killed in the assassination attempt. His identity was announced earlier in the day by Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro. The Marine Corps League of Pennsylvania, Inc., identified Dutch as a commandant in its organization in Westmoreland County. MCL Vice Commandant Matt Popovich said on Facebook that Dutch underwent two surgeries after being “shot in the liver and chest.