Former President Donald Trump was shot at during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on July 13, 2024. The shooter, identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, was later shot dead by snipers. According to various sources, including Sen. Chuck Grassley and Fox News, Crooks had been spotted milling about the area before the event and was later seen with a range finder.
The incident raised concerns about security lapses that allowed Crooks to get on a rooftop and get a clear shot of Trump. The Secret Service, which was responsible for providing security at the event, did not use drones for aerial views of the rally site despite evidence that Crooks had used one to survey the area beforehand.
The shooting took place at AGR International, a warehouse complex outside the Secret Service's designated security perimeter. According to reports, Crooks was able to get a clear shot of Trump from this location while countersniper teams nearby failed to see him in time.
Crooks was later found dead on the roof of the building with what appeared to be a rifle nearby. The FBI is currently investigating the incident and has recovered the drone used by Crooks at the rally site.
Trump sustained a gunshot wound to his right ear during the shooting incident. Two other people were also seriously wounded in the attack, including one spectator who was killed.
The motive behind Crooks' actions is still unclear, but investigators have found photos of Trump, President Joe Biden, and other government officials on his phone. They also found that he had looked up the dates for the Democratic National Convention as well as Trump's appearances.
The Secret Service Director, Kimberly Cheatle, resigned following the incident amid criticism over security lapses.
