A series of emergency calls from panicked attendees and concerned family members revealed the tense atmosphere during a violent incident at a political gathering in Pennsylvania.
According to Fox News, newly released 911 calls from the July 13 assassination attempt on former President Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, provide crucial insights into the chaotic moments that unfolded during and after the shooting.
The recordings, made public by Butler County officials more than four months after the incident, include a particularly poignant call from the wife of a 74-year-old victim desperately trying to locate her wounded husband.
One caller frantically informed dispatchers about the unfolding situation, as evidenced in the recording:
Gunshots. Gunshots at the Trump rally. You better get over here quick.
Multiple other calls flooded the emergency response system, with attendees reporting the active shooter situation from various locations within the venue. Some callers were family members checking on their loved ones who were present at the rally, while others were requesting immediate medical assistance.
The emergency response team had to manage numerous simultaneous calls while coordinating with various law enforcement agencies on the scene. Many callers expressed uncertainty about the shooter's location and whether there was an ongoing threat to public safety.
The investigation identified Thomas Matthew Crooks, age 20, as the perpetrator who managed to access the roof of a nearby building. He utilized HVAC equipment and piping to climb to his position, which was less than 200 yards from Trump's speaking location, though outside the official rally perimeters.
A crucial detail emerged about a Beaver County sniper's observation of a suspicious individual, later identified as Crooks, approximately one hour before the shooting began. The sniper reported seeing someone using a range finder pointed toward the stage around 5:10 p.m., with the first shot being fired at 6:11 p.m.
Law enforcement's response was swift once the shooting began. A Butler County officer identified the shooter's location and fired one shot, causing Crooks to temporarily lose his position. Subsequently, a Secret Service counter-sniper delivered the fatal shot that neutralized the threat.
Prior to the attack, Crooks conducted surveillance of the area, arriving at the rally site early in the day. FBI Director Christopher Wray confirmed that the shooter had been present at the location for approximately 70 minutes during the morning hours.
The suspect's preparation included flying a drone near the speaking area between 3:50 p.m. and 4 p.m., operating it about 200 yards from where Trump would later deliver his speech. This detail has raised questions about security protocols and surveillance detection methods at high-profile political events.
Investigators later recovered eight shell casings from the rooftop where Crooks had positioned himself, confirming the number of shots fired during the incident. This physical evidence corroborated witness accounts and helped establish the sequence of events.
The release of these 911 calls underscores both the strengths and limitations of emergency response systems in crises. The recordings reveal dispatchers remaining calm while collecting vital details and directing services amidst intense pressure. Following the attempted assassination of a former president and the resulting casualties, there is a renewed focus on enhancing security measures at major public events.
