My thoughts are with President Donald Trump, the victim of an assassination attempt. I send him my wishes for a speedy recovery. A spectator has died, several are injured. It is a tragedy for our democracies. France shares the shock and indignation of the American people.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) July 14, 2024
A local law enforcement officer spotted a suspicious man carrying a range-finder just outside the venue before former President Donald Trump took the stage at his rally on Saturday night, according to a law enforcement source. The officer reported the sighting to state police and took a photo for verification. There was some initial doubt about whether the range-finder was a pair of binoculars.
I am appalled to learn about the shooting of former U.S. President Donald Trump at his rally in Pennsylvania.
Such violence has no justification and no place anywhere in the world. Never should violence prevail.
I am relieved to learn that Donald Trump is now safe and wish him…
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) July 14, 2024
A few minutes into Trump’s remarks, a would-be assassin identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, opened fire, according to authorities. Crooks wounded the former president, killed a 50-year-old father of two, and injured two more spectators before a counter-sniper neutralized the threat. Sources say Crooks had been spotted without a gun about 30 minutes before the attack.
State police did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the events as described by the source. Several witnesses have come forward, claiming they reported seeing an armed man before the shooting started.
Thank you for your love and prayers for my father and for the other victims of today's senseless violence in Butler, Pennsylvania. I am grateful to the Secret Service and all the other law enforcement officers for their quick and decisive actions today. I continue to pray for our…
— Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) July 14, 2024
Bill Gage, a retired Secret Service agent and expert on emergency response, commented, “Just because someone is on a roof doesn’t mean the [counter-sniper] team can just open fire.
Suspicious man spotted before rally attack
They operate under Graham v. Connor use of force rules and would have had to perceive a clear threat.”
Crooks eventually made it onto the roof with a DPMS AR-15 5.56 rifle, which authorities recovered at the scene.
The rifle had been legally purchased by his father over a decade ago. Butler County Sheriff Michael Slupe revealed that an officer had confronted Crooks moments before the shooting but took cover when Crooks aimed the gun at him. “The officer had both hands up on the roof to climb up when the shooter turned towards him,” said Slupe in interviews with local media.
“The officer smartly let go and ducked for cover.”
Security outside the Secret Service’s secured perimeter is typically handled by state and local law enforcement. The event has shone a light on rally security protocols. Authorities are continuing to investigate, including examining Crooks’ phone for evidence and searching for a motive.
They believe Crooks acted alone but the investigation remains ongoing. Nearly 100 people, including witnesses and members of law enforcement, had been interviewed as of Monday afternoon.
