Tragedy struck a political rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, when Thomas Matthew Crooks attempted an assassination.
On July 13, 2024, former President Donald Trump narrowly survived an assassination attempt that left one dead and three injured, Fox News reported.
Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old assailant, leveraged a strategic position atop the American Glass International building to execute his attack during the rally. Law enforcement had been monitoring Crooks due to suspicious behavior noted almost an hour and a half before the shooting.
Initial suspicions about Crooks arose around 4:30 p.m., as a Beaver County sniper noted his unusual activity and ended his shift. By 4:36 p.m., concerns were escalated via texts among officers, discussing Crooks' suspicious presence near pivotal rally points.
Key realizations about Crooks' intentions were outlined in these exchanges, with one officer noting, "Kid leaning around building we are in," referring to Crooks's positioning near the AGR building with a range finder.
About 25 minutes later, Crooks moved closer to the American Glass International building and strategically positioned himself. However, as dusk approached at around 5:55 p.m., he momentarily slipped from the officers’ view, sparking a flurry of communications.
Amidst growing concern and lost visual contact, Crooks commenced his attack at precisely 6:11 p.m. A counter-sniper neutralized him shortly after he opened fire on the crowd.
The rapid sequence of events led to severe consequences: Corey Comperatore, a rallygoer defending his family, was killed, and three others, including Donald Trump, sustained injuries. One such message highlighted the intensity of the moment: "Call it in to command and have a uniform check it out."
The following quote showcases the initial discovery and subsequent response by the officers:
"Someone followed our lead and snuck in and parked by our cars just so you know. Kid leaning around the building we are in," "AGR I believe it is. I did see him with a range finder looking towards the stage. FYI. If you wanna notify SS snipers to look out. I lost sight of him. Call it in to command and have a uniform check it out."
This prolonged exchange, a mix of procedural caution and urgency, underscores the complexity and rapid evolution of the situation.
The attack not only disrupted the rally but also raised serious questions about security protocols and the effectiveness of communication among law enforcement agencies.
The precise timeline of the event, pieced together from law enforcement texts, reveals a gap between initial suspicions and the tragic outcome. This timeline has fueled discussions on potential improvements in security measures during high-profile events.
In the end, the attack at the Butler rally on July 13, remains a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities that exist even in highly secured events. The incidents of that day are likely to influence future security protocols at similar gatherings, ensuring more stringent measures are standard.
