Thomas Matthew Crooks managed to enter Donald Trump’s crusade rally in Pennsylvania armed with a gun, explosives and a rangefinder, with the aim of measuring the distance to his target. The aftermath of the July 13 shooting shows a meticulously planned attack and a series of security measures that allowed it to be carried out.
Deficiencies in Congressional hearings
Three congressional hearings were held this week, adding testimony from the head of the FBI, the director of the Secret Service and the leader of the Pennsylvania state police. These hearings have shed light on Trump’s assassination, what didn’t work and the questions that remain unanswered.
Detailed preparations
The criminals’ attack was not an impulsive decision; It was planned methodically. The FBI revealed that Crooks had signed up to attend Trump’s July 6 rally and had begun studying the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, even going so far as to Google it: “How far was Oswald from Kennedy? The FBI Director Christopher Wray told the House Judiciary Committee that studies indicated Crooks’ intent and mindset, which was directed at Trump.
Working alone, with no outside assistance, Crooks conducted a reconnaissance using a drone to inspect the collection site, capturing photographs that would provide a “rearview mirror of the scene” of its shooting position. He legally purchased an AR-15-style rifle from his father, which had a collapsible inventory for easy concealment. When the demonstration began, state police officers saw him using a rangefinder, a tool for measuring distance to a target.
The criminals had also acquired explosives; Two rudimentary devices fitted with receivers were discovered in his car, while a transmitter was discovered on his body. A bloody receipt up a 5-foot ladder indicated a recent purchase; No stairs were discovered at the site. It was observed that Crooks used “mechanical equipment” to achieve his position.
Execution of the plan
Despite extensive security measures at the rally, thieves managed to infiltrate the venue. The venue had two levels of security: an outer domain patrolled by state police and an inner perimeter manned by Secret Service agents, adding anti-sniper equipment on the stage roof. However, communication was poor and work spaces were unclear.
Pennsylvania Police Commissioner Christopher Paris revealed that state police were guilty of dominating the AGR International warehouse, where Crooks fired. Although the threat was at its highest before the meeting, the Secret Service informed the State Police that this was a State Police matter. As a result, a local SWAT-style emergency facilities team (ESU) was stationed inside the building; It only included two men who remained inside because of the heat.
Kimberly Cheatle, now a former Secret Service director, admitted she may not know why no one was parked on the roof.
Security flaws
Crooks was first seen by the State Police ESU unit leaving the location, without attempting to enter. He was reported as a suspect but was not arrested. Approximately 25 minutes before the demonstration began, he was seen using his rangefinder, but no weapons were reported. A photograph of Crooks was sent to the Joint Operations Room, but officials did not threaten him with significant risk without a visual weapon.
Cheatle stated that his officials had been made aware of Crooks’ lifestyle at least twice before the shooting, but did not realize the severity of the risk until seconds before the shooting began. The local police, and the ESU team, still began searching for Crooks. I lost track of him despite the risk he was taking. Witnesses saw an armed guy crawling across a roof while Trump was already on stage.
Finally, the local traffic police and the ESU team spotted Crooks on the roof. A traffic police officer who tried to confront him forced him to leave. A few seconds later, the shooting began. Trump temporarily surrounded the officials and cleared the scene within two minutes. The criminals shot a sniper.
Aftermath and investigation
Eight bullet casings were discovered near Crooks’ body. He had killed one member of the crowd and injured two others. Speculation arose about whether Trump had been hit by a bullet. The FBI later proved that Trump was indeed wounded by a bullet fired from Crooks’ rifle.
The trend remains unclear
More than a week after the incident, Crooks’ motives remain unknown. FBI Director Wray said uncovering the reason is a central issue in his investigation. Despite interviews with Crooks’ affiliates and searches of his home and his online history, no clear picture has emerged. Searches of his phone revealed a wide variety of news articles with no discernible pattern, and investigators are still deciphering the messages on his phone.
While Crooks donated $15 to a Democratic Party platform shortly after the 2021 Capitol insurrection and later registered as a Republican, no manifesto was found. The purpose of their explosives remains unclear, as they were not viable for remote detonation.
Unanswered Questions and Waiver
The public does not yet have a full picture of the Secret Service’s movements at the demonstration. Cheatle, who resigned after his congressional hearing, has provided limited answers, and it appears that the full story will likely remain elusive for some time.