The tranquility of a campaign event in Butler, Pennsylvania, was shattered on July 13.
An attempted assassination of Donald Trump occurred, with the shooter firing eight shots before being neutralized by Secret Service snipers, leading to Trump's ear injury, one fatality, and another person wounded.
The Daily Mail reported that new footage of that horrific event has surfaced showing the moment Crooks opened fire and sending the people nearby fleeing.
The shooter, identified as 20-year-old Thomas Crooks, initiated his attack from a rooftop about 400 feet from the stage. Armed with an AR-15-style rifle, Crooks managed to fire eight rounds in a matter of six seconds.
The Secret Service reacted quickly, with snipers taking the first counter shot approximately 5.5 seconds after Crooks began his onslaught.
Despite their rapid response, Crooks managed to injure Trump and fatally wound a rally attendee before being killed ten seconds into the shooting.
John Malice, a witness and videographer, captured critical footage of the event. He noted the lack of security protocols such as metal detectors for those near the nearby AGR building.
"We just kind of ignored it because we thought it was some person trying to get a better view," Malice remarked, recalling how Crooks scaled the building just moments before the attack.
The situation was exacerbated by the Pennsylvania State Police's failure to observe Crooks’ movements as they left their designated posts. Local officers had noted earlier suspicious behavior by Crooks, who was seen using a rangefinder before the shooting.
The Secret Service, under scrutiny for the breach, faced further embarrassment when its Director, Kimberly Cheatle, resigned following the incident.
Cheatle revealed that vulnerabilities on the roof were known days prior to the rally and conceded full responsibility for the security lapse.
"This was the most significant operational failure we've seen in decades," Cheatle acknowledged, emphasizing the severity of the breach.
Further investigation revealed that Crooks had conducted online research into details about Trump, President Joe Biden, and the Democratic National Convention.
His motives, while still under investigation, indicate a potential political dimension to the attack.
The event caused immediate chaos among rally attendees. Malice later recounted the fear and confusion, noting, "I have a picture of him with his rifle up and his rifle turned towards me and the other guys that were standing behind the tree – and at that second Secret Service shot him."
As the nation grapples with the shock of the attempt on Trump's life, attention turns to FBI Director Christopher Wray, who is set to testify before Congress.
His upcoming testimony will address the broader implications of the incident and measures for preventing such occurrences in the future.
The attempted assassination during Donald Trump's campaign event has highlighted profound deficiencies in security protocols.
Thomas Crooks, a young shooter, managed to fire eight rounds within seconds from a rooftop vantage point.
The inability of the Secret Service and local law enforcement to prevent the attack led to an unanticipated tragedy, with one rally attendee killed and another wounded. The swift response by Secret Service snipers, though eventually effective, was not enough to prevent initial damage.
With the resignation of Kimberly Cheatle and upcoming testimony from FBI Director Christopher Wray, the Secret Service is under immense pressure to reassess and fortify its security measures to prevent future breaches.
