WASHINGTON D.C, (National Presse) -The gunman who attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania fired eight bullets in under six seconds before being neutralized by a U.S. Secret Service sniper. This incident, which took place in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, resulted in the death of one rally attendee and injuries to two others. The assailant, identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, opened fire from a rooftop near the event. Former White House physician Rep. Ronny Jackson reported that a bullet grazed Trump’s ear, creating a minor wound.
During a House Committee on Homeland Security hearing, Pennsylvania State Police Col. Christopher L. Paris confirmed that eight shell casings were recovered from the gunman’s location. Video and audio analysis of the shooting conducted by CBS News and audio experts Rob Maher and Steven Beck revealed that Crooks fired eight shots in approximately 5.2 seconds using an AR-15-style rifle. The analysis also identified two additional gunshots from different firearms and locations, likely fired by law enforcement. The first of these shots, fired 5.5 seconds after the gunman began shooting, appears to have struck Crooks, halting his attack.
The aftermath of the shooting saw significant repercussions. Cory Comperatore, a 50-year-old retired fire chief, was killed while protecting his family from the gunfire. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro addressed the tragic loss in a news conference. Additionally, the incident prompted the resignation of Kimberly Cheatle, director of the U.S. Secret Service, following intense scrutiny from lawmakers. President Biden expressed gratitude for Cheatle’s public service and appointed Ronald Rowe, the deputy director of the Secret Service, as the acting director.
Multiple investigations are now underway to scrutinize the events leading up to and during the assassination attempt. The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security’s inspector general have launched probes to assess the Secret Service’s security measures and the preparedness of its Counter Sniper Team. Moreover, a bipartisan task force has been established by House Speaker Mike Johnson and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries to further investigate the incident. President Biden has also ordered an independent review to identify security failures and prevent future occurrences.
