Blue Flower

Trump Assassination Attempt Analysis Part1

TrumpAssassinationAttemptAnalysisPart1

https://inltv.co.uk/index.php/trump-shooting-low-security-ordered-by-who

 

FBI Is Investigating Saturday’s  Trump Shooting At A Trump Rally In Pennsylvania As An Attempted Assassination And Act Of Domestic Terror 

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US Secret Services Investigating The Trump Assassination Attempt Part 1

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US Secret Services Director Under Scrutiny On Trump Shooting Part 3

 

TroubleshootingWhoOrderedTheLowSecurity?

This smells like a setup gone wrong. Thank God!

There can be no doubt that the Shooter's Roof Position was earmarked for him to Assassinate Trump

Looking at the below building map it is blatantly obvious that the roof position the shooter had was the best and shortest line of sight to attempt to assassinate Donald Trump. There can be no possible excuse that can be provided by Kimberly Cheatle, The US Secret Service Director to the Oversight Committee as to why she had not ordered Secret Service Snipers to be positioned on the building where the shooter was obviously instructed and allowed to set up in the well planned attempted assassination of Donald Trump

Five Important Questions For The US Secret Service Over The Attempted Assassination of Donald Trump BBC

See further down this webpage

717-map-shooter-focal-tree-dash2.jpg

 JULY 16, 2024

Reporting on Congress

Speaker Mike Johnson today became the highest-ranking politician to call for President Biden to fire the Secret Service director, Kimberly Cheatle. “Yesterday I said that she should resign. It’s clear that she has no intention to do so, but the oversight here, the mistakes, the ineptitude, whatever it is, was inexcusable,” Johnson said on Fox Business.

Oversight Committee chair to subpoena Secret Service director for testimony on Trump assassination attempt

The House and Senate Homeland Security Committees have said they will also be looking into the shooting. The head of the House Homeland Security Panel, Rep. Mark Green, invited Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, FBI Director Chris Wray and Cheatle to testify before lawmakers next Tuesday to examine the circumstances surrounding the attack.

Eric Trump calls failures that led to attempted assassination of his father "infuriating"

He said the fact that snipers and rally attendees spotted the shooter as early as 26 minutes before the first shots were fired is "infuriating."    ..... "I grew up competing in the shooting sports. I know that world very, very well, and a rifle shot at 130 yards is like a four-inch punt, right? You don't, you don't miss it if you're competent," he said, adding, "I'm not an overly mushy person ... but, you know, somebody was watching down on him because it could have gone very, very differently."

Eric Trump said it was "hard to believe" the Secret Service would overlook a building as large as the one the gunman used to gain his vantage point.   "A big building that size, 130 yards away from a podium, from an elevated position — you don't need to be a security expert to realize that you might want to have somebody up there."

July 17, 2024

Reporting from the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee

At the Republican convention, senators berate the Secret Service director.

Senators chased Kimberly A. Cheatle, the director of the Secret Service, at the Republican National Convention and demanded she answer questions about the assassination attempt on Donald J. Trump

Republican senators, including a member of the Senate’s leadership, accosted the director of the Secret Service in a suite at the Republican National Convention on Wednesday night, demanding that she resign or provide a full explanation for the security lapses that led to the near-miss assassination attempt against former President Donald J. Trump.

Senators John Barrasso of Wyoming, the third-ranking Senate Republican, and Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee aggressively confronted the agency’s director, Kimberly A. Cheatle, at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee. A staff member for one of the senators videotaped the confrontation and sent it to a reporter.

The video, which Ms. Blackburn also posted on X, shows Mr. Barrasso berating Ms. Cheatle over why Mr. Trump was allowed to go onstage for his Saturday evening rally in Butler, Pa., when authorities had already identified as suspicious a man who turned out to be the shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks.

“You put him within less than an inch of his life,” Mr. Barrasso said to Ms. Cheatle, almost yelling. “So resignation or full explanation.”

Ms. Cheatle declined to answer their questions and instead walked out of the suite. Mr. Barrasso and Ms. Blackburn followed her down a corridor inside the arena and up a flight of stairs, continuing to yell questions at her and telling her she owed them answers.

Ms. Cheatle is in Milwaukee as the senior security official at the event. The Republican National Convention is a “national special security event,” the highest threat profile given by the federal government, because of its size and scope. Both Mr. Trump and his running mate, J.D. Vance, are under Secret Service protection.

In a joint interview after the encounter, Mr. Barrasso and Ms. Blackburn said they had been on a briefing call with Ms. Cheatle and the F.B.I. director, Christopher Wray, earlier on Wednesday. The senators complained that they had been waiting in the queue for questions when the call ended and said the briefing had been inadequate.

“We were trying to get to the root of what had happened, how the shooter was on the roof by himself and able to get off the shots,” Mr. Barrasso said. He dismissed the briefing as a “cover-your-ass call.”

Both senators said that when they heard that Ms. Cheatle was in the arena, they decided to confront her. Mr. Barrasso said that they were joined by Senators James Lankford of Oklahoma and Kevin Cramer of North Dakota.

Anthony Guglielmi, a spokesman for the Secret Service, did not directly respond to questions about the incident. But he issued a statement saying that “continuity of operations is paramount during a critical incident” and that Ms. Cheatle “has no intentions to step down.”

“She deeply respects members of Congress,” Mr. Guglielmi continued, “and is fiercely committed to transparency in leading the Secret Service through the internal investigation and strengthening the agency through lessons learned in these important internal and external reviews.”

Interviewed inside the convention arena, Mr. Barrasso said that he and Ms. Blackburn only gave up their pursuit of Ms. Cheatle after she fled into a restroom. “She ran up a flight of steps, and we were up with her,” he said. “And it looked like she then went into a ladies’ room and her own security closed the door and blocked the door.”

Live Updates: Trump rally shooting investigation continues as new details emerge about assassination attempt

Trump Shooting Live Updates: Lawmakers Assail Decision to Let Campaign Rally Go Ahead

Speaker Mike Johnson urged President Biden to fire the Secret Service director as outrage grew over the agency’s call to let the former president take the stage even as the police searched for a person they considered suspicious.

A view from above of warehouses in front of the area where the rally was held.

The scene of the rally where a would-be assassin fired on former President Donald J. Trump in Butler, Pa.Credit...Kristian Thacker for The New York Times

Here’s the latest on the investigation.

Speaker Mike Johnson on Thursday joined calls for President Biden to fire the Secret Service director, after new disclosures by investigators further intensified scrutiny of the agency’s decisions in the hours and minutes before a would-be assassin fired at former President Donald J. Trump.

Lawmakers reacted furiously to the revelation that Mr. Trump had been allowed to take the stage last weekend at a campaign rally in western Pennsylvania even as law enforcement officers searched for a potentially dangerous person who would later come shockingly close to killing the Republican nominee for president.

Here’s what else to know:

  • Missed opportunities: The Secret Service allowed a building within a rifle’s range to be excluded from its secure perimeter, creating a blind spot close to Mr. Trump that the gunman exploited. A reconstruction of events at the rally on Saturday showed other missed chances to avert the shooting.

  • Uncertain motive: F.B.I. officials told members of Congress that the gunman had used his cellphone to search for images of Mr. Trump, President Biden and other public figures — but that his motives remained unclear. Officials said the 20-year-old gunman, Thomas Crooks of Bethel Park, Pa., had also searched for dates of Mr. Trump’s appearances and of the Democratic National Convention.

  • Secret Service fallout: Republican senators, including a member of the chamber’s leadership, accosted the agency’s director, Kimberly A. Cheatle, in a suite at the Republican National Convention late Wednesday, demanding that she resign or provide a full explanation for the security lapses that led to the assassination attempt against Mr. Trump. She is scheduled to appear next week before two congressional committees that are examining the shooting.

  • Mourning the slain: A public visitation will be held on Thursday for Corey Comperatore, the volunteer firefighter and father of two who was killed in the shooting. A private funeral will follow on Friday. Two other people who were gravely injured in the shooting remained in serious condition.

 

Shooting followed "absolute and abysmal failure," expert says

A former police chief who worked event security for two former presidents said the shooting followed an "an absolute and abysmal failure" on the part of the Secret Service to protect Trump. The agency is ultimately responsible for the candidate's safety, said Stan Kephart.

"You don't get to blame other people," said Kephart, who is now a consulting expert on law enforcement event security. "They are under your control."

At least a dozen police officers and sheriff's deputies were assisting the U.S. Secret Service and Pennsylvania State Police with rally security.

The U.S. Secret Service is facing mounting questions about the security flaws that allowed the shooter to fire from a rooftop near the rally

Local authorities told Secret Service they couldn't secure building Trump shooter used

Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle has said it was going to be up to local law enforcement to secure the building from which the man who shot former President Donald Trump opened fire.

But CBS Pittsburgh reports that Butler County District Attorney Rich Goldinger said the Secret Service was told local police couldn't be responsible for securing the AGR building during the Trump rally.

"I don't know whose responsibility that building was," Goldinger said. "But someone should have been there."

Butler Township manager Tom Knights told the station, "It was indicated we did not have the manpower to take that task on, as well, based on our number of officers on duty."

Knights confirmed that the message was sent to the Secret Service two days before the Trump rally.

Butler Township also told the agency its team could only handle traffic control. CBS Pittsburgh learned the Secret Service never responded to those messages. 

Local police told the Secret Service before the rally that they did not have the manpower to place a patrol car outside the building where the gunman would later position himself, Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger told CBS Pittsburgh. 

The Butler Township officer in charge told Secret Service this during a preplanning meeting about a week before the rally. The news about this conversation was first reported by the Washington Post.

Local police instead planned to secure the building with police personnel and tactical teams, a law enforcement official said. 

The building had three snipers from local tactical teams positioned inside, overlooking the crowd. One of those snipers spotted the gunman and photographed him. The local sniper also saw the gunman looking through a rangefinder and immediately radioed his command post, according to a local law enforcement officer. 

–Nicole Sganga, Andy Sheehan

Map shows location of the shooting site at Trump rally

Sniper who took out gunman fired one round

The Secret Service sniper who neutralized the gunman fired one round and was assisted by a spotter, according to two federal law enforcement officials with knowledge of the response to the shooting.

The sniper who took out the gunman was located on the roof behind and to Trump's to his left — the square furthest to the right in the below map.

Trump rally shooter's motive still unclear as Biden urges calm

FBI & Secret Service Pressor for The Trump Rally Shooting: Assassination Attempt Investigation 

Timeline of Trump rally shooting shows witnesses alerted officers 2 minutes before gunfire - CBS News

Sniper took a picture of Trump rally shooter before attack, source says

A sniper from a local tactical team deployed to assist the U.S. Secret Service at Trump's rally took a picture of the gunman and saw him looking through a rangefinder minutes before he tried to assassinate the former president, a local law enforcement officer with direct knowledge of the events told CBS News.

INLTV World News Comment:

Could you imagine the world uproar if a photo was shown to have been taken of a shooter looking through his rifle range site a minute or so before shooting at Queen Elizabeth II or King Charles III of the United Kingdom...without any action been taken to neutralize the shooter in some way before he had a chance to take a shot at Queen Elizabeth II or King Charles III of the United Kingdom

Pic: Reuters

Cellphone video taken Saturday shows rally attendees pointing toward the shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, and trying to alert authorities to his presence — a full two minutes before the 20-year-old opened fire.

Open  campaign events, such as Saturday's, are tough to secure against all  threats, but insiders said they were surprised that the gunman was able  to scale a roof overlooking the rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where  Donald Trump was speaking.

A large tree has created a dead spot for the closest armed unit to the gunman

The U.S. Secret Service is facing mounting questions about the security flaws that allowed the shooter to fire from a rooftop near the rally.

Cellphone video taken Saturday shows rally attendees pointing toward the shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, and trying to alert authorities to his presence — a full two minutes before the 20-year-old opened fire.

Mr Trump was hit in the ear in the assassination attempt but has said  "God alone who prevented the unthinkable from happening", while one  spectator - named as 50-year-old Corey Comperatore - was killed and two  others seriously injured.

Security experts familiar with the  demands of keeping politicians safe said "a fundamental security  failure" occurred to allow the gunman to get close enough to carry out  his attack.

Among those to comment was Steve Nottingham, who has helped provide security for visiting world leaders, including presidents.

The  former Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team commander, suggested  pre-event research and real-time monitoring of places a gunman could  shoot from had broken down.

Trump Make America Great Again

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Speaking to "CBS Mornings" co-host Tony Dokoupil from the floor of the convention in Milwaukee Wednesday morning, Eric Trump said his father has referred to the injury as "the greatest earache he's ever had." .... "You know, he was millimeters away from having his life expunged ... I'm sure the ear doesn't feel well," Eric Trump said.  

Secret Service Has Some 'Splainin to Do

Zero legitimate explanation for how a man with a rifle got onto a roof only 120 meters away from Trump with a clear line of sight.

Five Major Questions For US Secret Service After The Attempted Assassination of former US President Donald Trump  BBC News

Tessa Wong and James Fitzgerald BBC News 15th July 2024

Several Major Questions have emmerged for the US Secret  Service to answer in the aftermath of the attempted shooting assassination of former US President Donald Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania.

The FBI has taken on the role of lead investigator into the incident, during ehich one person was killed and two others critically injured ' while Trump was woundered in the ear.

As the US demands answers, the US Secret Service says it is working to discover "what happened... how it happened, and how we can prevent sn incident like this from ever happening again".

The US Secret Service chief, Kimberly Cheatle, has been summoned to testify before a committer of the US House of Representatives on the 22nd of July, 2024.

Why Was Gunman's Roof Not Secured In Advsnce?.

 It remains unclear how suspected gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks got access to the roof of a building near the rally that was little more than 130m (430 feet) from Donald Trump.

The rooftop was a known vulnerability before the event, according to NBC News, which cited two sources familiar with US Secret Service operations.

'Someone should have been on the roof or securing the buiding so no one could get on the roof", NBC quoted one of the sources as saying.

As well as the access question, it has been suggested thst the line of sight from the rooftop to Ttump's podium area should have been blocked off.

Crooks should not have been able to get a direct dight of Trump. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas told ABC News in Monday.

 Mr Mayorkas said officials would "really study the event independently, and make recommendations to the US Secret Service and to me".

Were Warnings About The Gunman Passed On?

 An eyewitness to the shooting told BBC that he and others had "clearly" spotted Crooks crawling around on the roof with a rifle. They allerted police, but the suspect continuing moving around for several minutes before firing shots and then being shot  dead himself, the eyewitnesses said.

FBI special agent Kevin Rojek admitted it had been "surprising" that the attacker had been able to open fire.

The county sheriff has confirmed that Crooks was spotted by a local police officer, who was unable to stop him in time. Something that remains unclear is whether this information reached the agents around Trump.

Crooks was already on 'officials' radar, according to a senior law enforcement official. Theyvanonymoysly told CNN that officers thought he was acting suspiciously near the event magnetometres. This information was allegedly relayed to the US Secret Service.

Was US Secret Service Too Reliant On The Local Police?

 The gunmsn fired his shots from ewhat police have described as a "secondary ring", which was patrolled not by the US Secret Service but by local and state police officers.

A former US Secret Service agent said this sort of arrangement only worked when there was a clear plan on what to do when a danger was spotted.

"When you rely on the local law enforcement partners, yoi better have carefully planned and told them what you expect them to do about a threat," Jonathan Wackrow told the Washington Post.

The county sherriff has admitted there had been "a failure" but said there was no single party to blame.

Was The Event Properly Resourced?

A former chair of the House Oversight Committee has suggested that the US Secret Service was "spread too thin", which compounded the issue that local police would not have been "trained up" to secure an event like Saturday's rally.

Jason Chaffetz, who has previously reported on US Secret Service failures, told Washington Post there was no bigger "threat profile" than for Trump or e Biden, but that this was not reflected in the security presence in Pennsylvania.

The US Secret Security has xenied suggestions that a request from the Trump team to beef up the staffing had been rebuffed in advance of the Trump Political Rally.

But the Post reported that it had seen an exchange of messages in which a former US Secret Service officer asked colleagues how the suspect had got a gun so closs to Trump. He was reported to have received the reply: " Resources."

In a statement on Monday, Ms Cheatle, the Director of the US Secret Service, ssid changes had been made to Trump's Secret Service Detail ahead of the start of the Republican National Convention, which kicks off in Milwaukee on Monday. Ms Cheatle s said she was "confident" in the overall Trump protection plan 

Was Trump aken Off The Podium Stage Quickly Enough?

The US Secret Service Agents who shielded Trump have received praise, including from former agent Robert McDonald, who said they did a "fairly good job" despite there being no exact "playbook" on what to do in such a situation .

But the question has also been asked whether they were fast eniugh to whisk the former president away in a vehicle.

Footage of the incident shows them rspidly fotming a shield srounf him in the immediate wake of the gunshots, but then appearing to pause as Trump asks to gather his shoes. The former president goes on to pump his fist for supporters.

A US Secret Service veteran told the New York Times he would not have waited: "If that's me there, no. We are going now," said Jeffrey James.

"If it's me, I'm buying him a new pair of shoes."

 

Donald Trump Assassination Attempt

Analysis of the  attempted assassination of  Donald Trump

USWeekly.com.au Analysis of the attempted assassination of Donald Trump

Праути, Лерой Флетчер — Википедия

Leroy Fletcher Prouty (January 24, 1917 – June 5, 2001) served as Chief of Special Operations for the Joint Chiefs of Staff under President John F. Kennedy.

Live Updates: Trump rally shooting investigation continues as new details emerge about assassination attempt

https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/trump-rally-shooting-investigation/

New details continue to emerge in the investigation into the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, who is now at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee with his ear still bandaged and with increased security evident around him.

The gunman's motive in the Saturday attack on the former president remains unclear five days after he opened fire at Trump's campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania — wounding Trump and two others and killing a rallygoer. The U.S. Secret Service is facing mounting questions about the security flaws that enabled the shooter to fire from a rooftop near the rally.

Eric Trump, the former president's son, told CBS News his father doesn't have stitches but has a "nice flesh wound." He said his father's hearing is fine and that he is "in great spirits."

Details about the moments before the shooting are raising more questions. Cellphone video taken Saturday shows rally attendees pointing toward the shooter, later identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, and trying to alert authorities to his presence — a full two minutes before he opened fire.

Even before that, a sniper from a local tactical team deployed to assist the U.S. Secret Service at the rally took a picture of the gunman, saw him looking through a rangefinder, and immediately radioed to the command post, a local law enforcement officer with direct knowledge of the events told CBS News. 

A federal law enforcement bulletin obtained by CBS News identified the gunman as "an apparent lone attacker." The FBI is investigating whether he was a politically motivated homegrown domestic violent extremist.

The Department of Homeland Security's inspector general is opening an investigation into the rally's planning, and President Biden said he is ordering an independent review to determine what went wrong.

Local authorities told Secret Service they couldn't secure building Trump shooter used

Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle has said it was going to be up to local law enforcement to secure the building from which the man who shot former President Donald Trump opened fire.

But CBS Pittsburgh reports that Butler County District Attorney Rich Goldinger said the Secret Service was told local police couldn't be responsible for securing the AGR building during the Trump rally.

"I don't know whose responsibility that building was," Goldinger said. "But someone should have been there."

Butler Township manager Tom Knights told the station, "It was indicated we did not have the manpower to take that task on, as well, based on our number of officers on duty."

Knights confirmed that the message was sent to the Secret Service two days before the Trump rally.

Butler Township also told the agency its team could only handle traffic control. CBS Pittsburgh learned the Secret Service never responded to those messages. 

"All I know is our township police department was very clear that we did not have the manpower for it," Knights said.

https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/trump-rally-shooting-investigation/#post-update-fb1427a2

 

Local police told the Secret Service before the rally that they did not have the manpower to place a patrol car outside the building where the gunman would later position himself, Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger told CBS Pittsburgh. 

The Butler Township officer in charge told Secret Service this during a preplanning meeting about a week before the rally. The news about this conversation was first reported by the Washington Post.

Local police instead planned to secure the building with police personnel and tactical teams, a law enforcement official said. 

The building had three snipers from local tactical teams positioned inside, overlooking the crowd. One of those snipers spotted the gunman and photographed him. The local sniper also saw the gunman looking through a rangefinder and immediately radioed his command post, according to a local law enforcement officer. 

Shooting followed "absolute and abysmal failure," expert says

A former police chief who worked event security for two former presidents said the shooting followed an "an absolute and abysmal failure" on the part of the Secret Service to protect Trump. The agency is ultimately responsible for the candidate's safety, said Stan Kephart.

"You don't get to blame other people," said Kephart, who is now a consulting expert on law enforcement event security. "They are under your control."

At least a dozen police officers and sheriff's deputies were assisting the U.S. Secret Service and Pennsylvania State Police with rally security.

–Nicole Sganga, Andy Sheehan

717-map-shooter-focal-tree-dash2.jpg

1. Leroy Fletcher Prouty, a former CIA cornel stated in his book 'The Secret Team' that one can work out who was behind ordering, allowing, encouraging, arranging and/or orchestrating an attempted or successful assassination ..... one first has to find out who was responsible to reducing the amount of security protecting a politician, royal family member or other important public figure, that allowed such attempted or successful assassination to take place. Once it is arranged by those in control of the amount, effectiveness and thoroughness and professional use of available security techniques and resources to be severely reduced, allowing easy opportunities for an assassination to easily take place, then it allows anyone of the thousands of people, groups, organizations and/or networks that would want to assassinate that high profile person to do their job. Thus, those who are the main people, organizations, groups and networks, who would not want to take a risk of allowing Donald Trump to run in the November 2024 USA Elections, because his is fast becoming the hot favourite in the polls to win, can help have Donald Trump assassinated, just by reducing  the amount, effectiveness and thoroughness and professional use of available security techniques and resources to be severely reduced, allowing easy opportunities for an assassination to easily take place..... without it been possible to easily point the finger at them being behind the attempted or successful assassination of Donald Trump.

2. On the undisputable evidence, the USA Security Services allowed the opportunity for the shooter to set up an excellent firing position on a nearby roof which should have occupied by a USA Security Services Sniper.

3  A large tree protected Trump Shooter.

4. Crooks  was a registered Republican, according to state voter records, and  donated $15 to a Democratic political action committee when he was 17.

5. One has to take into account the timing of the attempted assassination of former Donald Trump who the polls says will most likely be appointed the next USA President. The fact that the attempted assassination of former Donald Trump happened an extremely short time before the Republican Convention where it was certain Donald Trump would be named at the official Republican Candidate for the next USA President. Had this well planned and well executed, the attempted assassination of former Donald Trump been successful, the Republican Convention would have had to nominate a different, less well known person for the Republican USA President Nominee, which would have been a very difficult decision to have to make within a few days. The Reality would have been that the Republican Convention would be in chaos, with all Republican Members all morning at the assassination of Donald Trump, which would make it even harder to concentrate of who to select to replace Donald Trump as the Republican USA President Nominee.

6. Thus it was perfect timing and a perfect place to attempt to assassinate Donald Trump. The choice of Donald Trump's rally speech was a perfect place for enemies of Donald Trump to assassinate Donald Trump using a well trained shooter, with a high powered long range rifle that could easily hit Donald Trump's head up to around a 130 to 150 yard range.

7. For so many different reasons the chances of the current USA President Joe Biden of beating Donald Trump at the November 2024 USA Presidential Elections was becoming extremely low. Thus, this would be a good reason for those who desperately wanted Joe Biden to win the November 2024 USA presidential elections, would have had the maximum reason to to what they could to order, orchestrate and arrange the assassination of former USA t President at time. If they let Donald Trump alive any longer there was very little chance of stopping Donald Trump from winning  the November 2024 USA presidential elections. They would have had to act immediately, otherwise they will have left their run too late.

8. In other words .... timing was of thee essence in this matter for Joe Biden and the powerful people, organizations and networks that for so many different reasons are desperate to make sore at any cost, and by any possible method, that Donald Trump does not win the November 2024  USA Presidential Elections, and that Joe Biden wins.

9. Does not mean that Joe Biden himself had any prior knowledge of the well planned assassination of Donald Trump using a perfect person, with the perfect loaner bullied profile, who was registered as a Republican Member, to train up to be able to kill Donald Trump from a 130 to 150 yard range using a high powered long range gun.

10.There as so many powerful people, organizations and networks, which includes people in control of other countries, with billions in resources at their disposal, such as Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, who has over $100 billion dollars at his disposal and also at risk, that would be extremely concerned if Donald Trump won the November 2024  USA Presidential Elections. Donald Trump has made it clear that he and his Team, if Donald Trump won the November 2024  USA Presidential Elections, would do everything possible to immediately end the Russian Ukraine was be political negotiation with the Russian President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin (born 7 October 1952) is a Russian politician and former intelligence officer who is the president of Russia..... and stop the USA funding Ukraine to fight Russia in the Russian Ukraine War. 

11. Many security experts have made it clear that it is absolutely incredibly incompetent, for the best Security Service Organization in the world to have allowed a situation were all possible places that someone a shooter could set up within easy kill range, to be able to kill a former USA President Donald Trump, and one of the only two main USA Presidential Candidates. when even ordinary people that attended this Donald Trump Rally were able to see and film this shooter climbing onto the roof with a gun.. yet none of the Security were able to also know was happening in time if neutralize the shooter before he had the opportunity fire a shot at former US President Donald Trump

12. An overall analysis for the background and circumstances of this very lucky escape of Donald Trump from dying from a gun shot wound in his forehead from a high powered long range rifle, it seems clear that those who planned, arranged, allowed and orchestrated the assassination of Donald Trump, if needed, had arranged for this loner shooter. Thomas Matthew Crooks, who had registered as a member of the Republican Party, arranged. and/or encouraged in many possible various ways, for Thomas Matthew Crooks to train up for over 12 months plus as an expert long range shooter marksman, so he would be there ready if needed, to assassinate Donald Trump, when the right opportunity arose, and if it was felt that thew polls for favouring Donald Trump as the most likely winner of the November 2024  USA Presidential Elections.

13. From reading and listening to all mainstream media reports around the world about the investigations of the failed attempted assassination of Donald Trump former US President, it is noted that no spot light is being put into the background and possible political connections of the father of the shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, This seems extremely strange. The father of Thomas Matthew Crooks, would be the main person to investigate and shine a spotlight on as to whether he helped encourage his son Thomas Matthew Crooks, for one reason or another to train up as an expert shooter and being involved the attempted assassination of Donald Trump, using a gun purchased and owned by the father of Thomas Matthew Crooks.

14. It is noted that it is rather odd, strange and extremely suspicious that the father of Thomas Matthew Crooks, only bothered to rung the USA Law Enforcement Authorities to report his son and his gun missing, after seeing the news reports of his son's failed attempt to assassinate Donald Trump. This can be compared to a situation where, a person who wants to claim insurance of his car, and to allow his car to be used in a bank robbery getaway, to make some quick money, by arranging a person who would be involved carrying out a planned bank robbery, to steal his car, and to cover up that he is not involved in any way, rings the police to say it is stolen, after he sees a news report that his car was involved in a bank robbery......

15. It is possible that those behind helping to behind ordering, allowing, encouraging, arranging and/or orchestrating an attempted or successful shooting at Donald Trump and his loyal supporters at the Donald Trump Rally, never intended for Donald Trump to be killed ... the purpose of the shooting may have been for other reasons... such as:

(a) to stop the pressure and talk for Joe Biden to step down for running for the November 2024 USA Elections, because it was being claimed by even some of his own loyal supporters, Joe Biden's Health has deteriorated too much in recent times ... since... since the shooting at Donald Trump most of the talk about Joe Biden not being well enough to run for the USA Presidency for another 4 years, is basically quickly disappearing ...  with it generally now considered that the November 2024 USA Elections is now confirmed as a Two Horse Race between Donald Trump and Joe Biden.. thus if this was the purpose of a near miss assassination of Donald Trump, it has achieved its purpose.

(b) to give Joe Biden a public platform to make great speeches that it is time people in the USA people to deplore violence of any form, and in particular is the political arena.... this has achieved its purpose... Joe Biden was quickly able to make speeches after the shooting at Donald Trump about deploring any form of violence in the USA, with the need for a leader such as Joe Biden, who presents himself as a less radical USA President than Donald Trump.

(c) to try and scare Donald Trump into quitting his bid to be the next President of the USA, and to encourage Donald Trump's Family into encouraging him to withdraw from the USA Presidential Race.. if this was one of the aims of the apparent attempted assassination of Donald Trump, this aim as failed, because the shooting Donald Trump has shown he and his family have all strengthened Donald Trump's resolve to continue to run for the next USA Presidency.

16. There has been no actual full complete proof publicly made available provided that the shots fired at Donald Trump and at his supporters actually came from the named shooter, even though it does seem that that did.

17. There is no actual full complete proof made publicly available that the shooter is actually dead...the public have never been shown a photo of the shooter's dead body and/or a certified death certificate..it is possible the shooter having done what he was told to do, by those that could well have been behind arranging the shotting on Donald Trump, was allowed to live, with a mainstream media announcement that "The Shooter Has is Down and Neutralized"... with a public assumption that the shooter has been killed by a Security Agency Sniper... but no actually dead at all.. the shooter ma have been shott with a bullet that puts him to sleep, but did no kill him .. and then carted away as though he is dead, and given a new Identity ...all this a possible scenario ..

18.  Analyzing all the publicly known evidence and back ground circumstances surrounding the shooting of Donald Trump, it seems virtually impossible to believe that the shooter was without any help or assistance of some kind was:

(a) a lone shooter who had no help and assistance in various possible ways,

(b) easily able to end up with the right type of high powered long range rifle to be able to successfully assassinate Donald Trump with such rifle

(c) able to train for over 12 months to become a top shooter marksman cable of successfully assassinating Donald Trump from a 130 yard range ,

(d) s able to quite openly climb onto the top of a very nearby building which was 130 yards away from where Donald Trump would be speaking, which had a good direct line of sight to be able to kill Donald Trump. with a long range rifle,

(e) conveniently in a position where he had a tree was blocking any view of the shooter from one of the only two security Agency Snipers which had set up on the top of building behind where Donald Trump was due to speak.

(f) able to set up his shooter position before and/or about the same time as the only two Security Agency Snipers, who conveniently to the success of the shooter, were fairly late in setting up their sniper shooting positions, who should have been well set up in their sniper positions for a couple of hours of  of the time Donald Trump was due t speak, not still setting up at the time Donald Trump started to speak.

(g) able to set up his shooter position on a building which had a good 130 yard line of sight of where Donald Trump was due to speak, which was an obvious building that security agency snipers should have been set up on instead of keeping the top of building which was an obvious important likely place for a shooter to set up to be able to attempt to assassinate Donald Trump.

19. Conclusion

This smells like a setup gone wrong. Thank God!

717-map-shooter-focal-tree-dash2.jpg

There can be no doubt that the Shooter's Roof Position was earmarked for him to Assassinate Trump

Looking at the below building map it is blatantly obvious that the roof position the shooter had was the best and shortest line of sight to attempt to assassinate Donald Trump. There can be no possible excuse that can be provided by Kimberly Cheatle, The US Secret Service Director to the Oversight Committee as to why she had not ordered Secret Service Snipers to be positioned on the building where the shooter was obviously instructed and allowed to set up in the well planned attempted assassination of Donald Trump

Reporting from Freeport, Pa.

Hundreds of people have driven to a community park in Freeport, Pa., to attend the public visitation for Corey Comperatore, the volunteer firefighter and father of two who was killed in the Trump rally shooting. There is a lot of security, and American flags line many of the narrow roads in the park’s entrance.

Eric Gay/Associated Press

Reporting from Freeport, Pa.

An electronic billboard inside the park is flashing several images, including a smiling photo of Comperatore, an image of Trump defiantly raising his fist after the rally shooting, and the Statue of Liberty with flames in the background.

Gary Risch Jr., a longtime friend of Corey Comperatore, the firefighter who was killed in the shooting, said fire companies from as far away as Florida and Texas have said they will be sending trucks for the funeral procession on Friday. Risch, a fellow member of the Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Company, said the crowds will be “overwhelming” in the small town of Freeport, Pa., and surrounding areas that will host the visitation, funeral and procession, calling it “a once-in-a-century situation.”

Who is investigating the attempt on Mr. Trump’s life?

While the F.B.I.’s criminal investigation looks to unearth the shooter’s motives, other inquiries are expected to focus on security failures tied to the attack.

The Secret Service is charged with protecting the nation’s leaders, including former presidents. The agency, part of the Homeland Security Department, also works with local law enforcement to secure events like political rallies and other appearances.

Congress has oversight over the Secret Service, and at least four committees in the House and Senate have signaled that they will begin inquiries, with the first hearings scheduled for next week. President Biden has also announced his intention to start an independent national security investigation.

Within the Homeland Security Department, there will be at least two inquiries: one by the Office of the Inspector General, which is tasked with broad oversight over the agency, and one by the Secret Service itself to examine internal failures.

What are the investigations looking for?

The investigations look at both the internal security failures that enabled an attack on a former president and at external factors, including why the shooter tried to kill Mr. Trump and whether the episode was part of a larger plot.

It had been 52 years since a presidential candidate was killed or hurt in an attack, though as president, Ronald Reagan was seriously injured in 1981, two months after his inauguration, when he was shot outside a hotel in Washington.

Previous shootings of sitting presidents and candidates for the office set off extensive congressional investigations, as well as probes from the Secret Service, state and local law enforcement agencies and prosecutors. A broader conspiracy was found in only one of at least 15 previous attacks: the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln in 1865.

Among the questions facing the Secret Service are why it did not adequately secure the building where the gunman fired from the roof, which was less than 500 feet from the stage where Mr. Trump was speaking. Lawmakers have also pointed fingers at the conduct of agents in the moments after the shooting, including allowing Mr. Trump to linger on the stage and raise a fist before the crowd.

How is the F.B.I. investigation progressing?

The F.B.I. is leading the main criminal investigation into the shooting. Federal officials said they have found no evidence that the shooting was part of a larger plot, but have not ruled out any scenario.

The F.B.I. said Monday that it had gained access to the shooter’s cellphone. But they still do not have a motive for the gunman, identified by law enforcement as Thomas Matthew Crooks. He had no criminal history and no known strong political beliefs. Federal investigators hope that the data on his password-protected phone will shed light on the shooting.

If the shooter acted alone, it is unlikely any criminal charges will be brought, as Mr. Crooks was killed by a Secret Service sniper at the scene.

What is the Homeland Security Department examining?

Alejandro N. Mayorkas, the homeland security secretary, called the shooting a security failure and said the department would conduct an internal investigation.

“We have a fail-proof responsibility,” he said in an interview on CNN that aired Monday. But Mr. Mayorkas said he remained confident in the Secret Service and its director, Kimberly A. Cheatle.

The department’s inspector general has a mandate to review the Secret Service, making an investigation inevitable. Independent investigations led by Congress or directed by external officials are more likely to shed light on security failures leading up to the attack.

In her statement on Monday, Ms. Cheatle said the Secret Service was working with federal, state and local agencies “to understand what happened, how it happened, and how we can prevent an incident like this from ever taking place again.” She said the agency would “participate fully” in the independent review announced by President Biden, as well as cooperating with congressional committees.

Will Congress launch an independent commission to investigate?

At least five congressional committees in the House and Senate have held briefings or called hearings on the shooting. Ms. Cheatle is expected to testify before the House Oversight Committee on Monday, in the first of three hearings on Capitol Hill next week about the assassination attempt.

Ahead of Ms. Cheatle’s testimony, the oversight panel’s leader, Representative James R. Comer, Republican of Kentucky, and Representative Mark E. Green, Republican of Tennessee, who leads the House Homeland Security Committee, which has also committed to investigating the shooting, have demanded a trove of documents, recordings and communications from Ms. Cheatle and other top federal law enforcement officials.

They have asked for the security plan for the rally and other documents and communications, including those that took place in the aftermath of the shooting.

Mr. Green has also asked Ms. Cheatle, Mr. Mayorkas and Christopher Wray, the director of the F.B.I., to testify before his panel next week, saying: “The American people want answers.”

The House Judiciary Committee will hear from Mr. Wray next Wednesday, the third hearing related to the attack at the rally.

Some lawmakers have called for an independent commission to lead an investigation, along the lines of the Warren Commission that examined the 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

Because Congress can demand and review documents and evidence from across federal, state and local agencies, a congressional investigation would probably be best equipped to present a thorough, independent review of the assassination attempt. But its answers may not prove satisfactory to everyone, as was the case with the Warren Commission, whose conclusion that the gunman Lee Harvey Oswald had acted alone has been the subject of speculation and debate for decades.

The two other attendees who were shot at the Trump rally remain in serious but stable condition at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh, said Bill Toland, a hospital spokesman.

Oversight Committee chair to subpoena Secret Service director for testimony on Trump assassination attempt

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/secret-service-trump-assassination-attempt-congress-panel-hearing/?intcid=CNI-00-10aaa3a

Washington — The House Oversight and Accountability Committee's chairman plans to subpoena U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle for testimony on the assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump, a spokeswoman for the panel said Tuesday.

Cheatle is set to appear before committee members for an oversight hearing on July 22, Chairman James Comer, a Kentucky Republican, announced Monday. While the Secret Service also agreed to brief lawmakers on Tuesday, the panel's spokeswoman said, the Department of Homeland Security "took over communications" with the committee and has not confirmed a time for the briefing.

"The Oversight Committee has a long record of bipartisan oversight of the Secret Service and the unprofessionalism we are witnessing from current DHS leadership is unacceptable," the spokeswoman said. "While the Secret Service confirmed Director Cheatle is expected to appear for the committee's hearing on July 22, to head off any attempt by DHS to backtrack on her appearance, the chairman will issue a subpoena for her to attend. Director Cheatle must answer to Congress and the American people about the historic failure that occurred on her watch."

A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security said in response to the committee that it "responds to congressional requests directly via official channels, and the department will continue to respond appropriately to congressional oversight."

Cheatle's job at the helm of the Secret Service has come under scrutiny following the shooting at Trump's rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, during which the former president was injured when a bullet grazed his ear. One spectator, firefighter Corey Comperatore, was killed in the attack and two others, Marine Corps veteran David Dutch and James Copenhaver, were wounded.

The FBI identified Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, as the gunman. He was killed by a Secret Service sniper. 

Questions quickly arose in the wake of the assassination attempt about how Crooks was able to gain access to a rooftop so close to where Trump was speaking to the crowd of supporters. President Biden said Sunday that he ordered an independent review of security at the rally and asked the Secret Service to review security measures for this week's Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.

Cheatle said Monday that the agency will "participate fully" in the review announced by Mr. Biden and is working with federal, state and local agencies to understand what happened at Trump's rally, how it occurred and how it can be prevented from taking place again.

The Secret Service chief said the agency provided additional security enhancements for Trump's detail in June and implemented changes to his security detail after the shooting to ensure continued protection for the convention and rest of the campaign.

The House and Senate Homeland Security Committees have said they will also be looking into the shooting. The head of the House Homeland Security Panel, Rep. Mark Green, invited Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, FBI Director Chris Wray and Cheatle to testify before lawmakers next Tuesday to examine the circumstances surrounding the attack.

Michael Kaplan contributed to this report

Tree may have blocked sniper team's view of Trump rally gunman, maps show

A U.S. Secret Service sniper stationed in a building behind the former president fired one round, killing the gunman, according to multiple law enforcement officials. Two federal law enforcement officers told CBS News the Secret Service team that ultimately killed the shooter was located on a building behind Trump's left shoulder — with a view that was not blocked by the tree, the CBS analysis shows. That team was initially directed to go another way, so the snipers had to reorient themselves before taking down the gunman, CBS News' Charlie de Mar reported.

Map shows location of the shooting site at Trump rally

A map showing a tree possibly blocking the line of sight of a sniper team at the Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.GOOGLE EARTH/CBS NEWS

The image below shows the scene from the perspective of the building where the gunman was located.

717-map-shooter-focal-tree-dash2.jpg

This perspective shows the building where the gunman was located in the foreground.

A MAP SHOWING ANOTHER ANGLE

The motive of gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks remains a mystery four days after the shooting at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania — during which Trump and two others were injured and a rallygoer was killed. A federal law enforcement bulletin obtained by CBS News identified the gunman as "an apparent lone attacker" and the FBI is investigating whether he was a politically motivated homegrown domestic violent extremist.

Minutes before the assassination attempt, a sniper from a local tactical team took a photo of the gunman and saw him looking through a rangefinder, a local law enforcement officer with direct knowledge of the events told CBS News.  Cellphone video taken Saturday shows rally attendees pointing toward the shooter and trying to alert authorities to his presence — a full two minutes before the 20-year-old opened fire.

The U.S. Secret Service is facing mounting questions about the security flaws that allowed the shooter to fire from a rooftop near the rally. Meanwhile, House Republicans are ramping up efforts to investigate the attempted assassination.

President Biden said earlier this week that he is directing an independent review of security and events at the rally to determine what went wrong, while the Department of Homeland Security's inspector general is opening an investigation into the rally's planning.

Eric Trump, the former president's son, told CBS News his father doesn't have stitches after he was shot, but has a "nice flesh wound." He said his father's hearing is fine and that he is "in great spirits."

With reporting from Erielle Delzer, Alex Clark, Rhona Tarrant and Kaia Hubbard

Eric Trump calls failures that led to attempted assassination of his father "infuriating"

 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/eric-trump-interview-assassination-attempt/?intcid=CNI-00-10aaa3a

 By 

Former President Donald Trump's second son, Eric Trump, spoke with "CBS Evening News" anchor and managing editor Norah O'Donnell on Tuesday about his father's recovery after an assassination attempt, security going forward and the future of the campaign.

After his father was officially nominated for a third time to be the Republican presidential candidate on Monday, Eric Trump said the former president was dealing with "the greatest earache in the history of earaches" after a bullet fired by a would-be assassin grazed Trump's ear while he was speaking at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday.

"You see the picture, right? The famous New York Times picture now where you literally see the vapor trail of the bullet coming out of the backside of his ear. It's hard to believe it could've been so much different. I can't even imagine what that would've meant for this country," Eric Trump said.

Eric Trump said the former president's hearing is fine and that he is "in great spirits."

Asked about the recent revelation that U.S. intelligence had also detected an Iranian plot against his father, Eric Trump did not seem surprised.

"We've been hearing this from Iran, including from the leaders directly,  for years at this point," he said. Eric Trump cited the assassinations of Qassem Soleimani, the former leader of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard's Quds forces, and former ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, as reasons why Iran would want retribution against the former president.

Eric Trump didn't provide any details about security changes since the assassination attempt, but he did praise the response by Secret Service agents who protected his father on stage Saturday. Still, he wants accountability for the failures that led to the shooting.

"The men and women on that stage in that moment are the greatest people in the world," Eric Trump said. "I know many of them personally and they're phenomenal, phenomenal individuals. And I'm sure they'll get to the bottom of it, but there'd better be real accountability. You can't have ex-presidents taking bullets through the ear."

He said the fact that snipers and rally attendees spotted the shooter as early as 26 minutes before the first shots were fired is "infuriating."

"I grew up competing in the shooting sports. I know that world very, very well, and a rifle shot at 130 yards is like a four-inch punt, right? You don't, you don't miss it if you're competent," he said, adding, "I'm not an overly mushy person ... but, you know, somebody was watching down on him because it could have gone very, very differently."

Eric Trump said it was "hard to believe" the Secret Service would overlook a building as large as the one the gunman used to gain his vantage point. 

"A big building that size, 130 yards away from a podium, from an elevated position — you don't need to be a security expert to realize that you might want to have somebody up there."

In the interview, Eric Trump also expressed enthusiasm about his father's vice presidential pick, Sen. JD Vance, of  Ohio. He said he was excited to see Vance take on Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming vice presidential debate, which will be hosted by CBS News.

"I think JD Vance will be putting a bag of popcorn in the microwave and, you know, he is ready to go," Eric Trump said. "Believe me, he's not gonna be backing away from that debate. That much I can tell you."

Republican senators, including a member of the Senate’s leadership, accosted the director of the Secret Service in a suite at the Republican National Convention on Wednesday night, demanding that she resign or provide a full explanation for the security lapses that led to the near-miss assassination attempt against former President Donald J. Trump.

Senators John Barrasso of Wyoming, the third-ranking Senate Republican, and Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee aggressively confronted the agency’s director, Kimberly A. Cheatle, at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee. A staff member for one of the senators videotaped the confrontation and sent it to a reporter.

The video, which Ms. Blackburn also posted on X, shows Mr. Barrasso berating Ms. Cheatle over why Mr. Trump was allowed to go onstage for his Saturday evening rally in Butler, Pa., when authorities had already identified as suspicious a man who turned out to be the shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks.

“You put him within less than an inch of his life,” Mr. Barrasso said to Ms. Cheatle, almost yelling. “So resignation or full explanation.”

Ms. Cheatle declined to answer their questions and instead walked out of the suite. Mr. Barrasso and Ms. Blackburn followed her down a corridor inside the arena and up a flight of stairs, continuing to yell questions at her and telling her she owed them answers.

Ms. Cheatle is in Milwaukee as the senior security official at the event. The Republican National Convention is a “national special security event,” the highest threat profile given by the federal government, because of its size and scope. Both Mr. Trump and his running mate, J.D. Vance, are under Secret Service protection.

In a joint interview after the encounter, Mr. Barrasso and Ms. Blackburn said they had been on a briefing call with Ms. Cheatle and the F.B.I. director, Christopher Wray, earlier on Wednesday. The senators complained that they had been waiting in the queue for questions when the call ended and said the briefing had been inadequate.

“We were trying to get to the root of what had happened, how the shooter was on the roof by himself and able to get off the shots,” Mr. Barrasso said. He dismissed the briefing as a “cover-your-ass call.”

Both senators said that when they heard that Ms. Cheatle was in the arena, they decided to confront her. Mr. Barrasso said that they were joined by Senators James Lankford of Oklahoma and Kevin Cramer of North Dakota.

Anthony Guglielmi, a spokesman for the Secret Service, did not directly respond to questions about the incident. But he issued a statement saying that “continuity of operations is paramount during a critical incident” and that Ms. Cheatle “has no intentions to step down.”

“She deeply respects members of Congress,” Mr. Guglielmi continued, “and is fiercely committed to transparency in leading the Secret Service through the internal investigation and strengthening the agency through lessons learned in these important internal and external reviews.”

Interviewed inside the convention arena, Mr. Barrasso said that he and Ms. Blackburn only gave up their pursuit of Ms. Cheatle after she fled into a restroom. “She ran up a flight of steps, and we were up with her,” he said. “And it looked like she then went into a ladies’ room and her own security closed the door and blocked the door.” 

July 17, 2024

David A. FahrentholdGlenn ThrushCampbell RobertsonAdam Goldman and 

David A. Fahrenthold, Glenn Thrush and Adam Goldman reported from Washington. Campbell Robertson reported from Butler, Pa. Aric Toler reported from Kansas City, Mo

How did the gunman get so close to Trump?

Former President Donald J. Trump points in a direction as he walks on a red carpet at an outdoor rally, with a crowd and Secret Service agents nearby.

 Former President Donald J. Trump was allowed to take the stage for his speech despite reports of a suspicious person in the vicinity.Credit...Doug Mills/The New York Times

About an hour before a gunman let loose a volley of bullets that nearly assassinated a former president, the law enforcement contingent in Butler, Pa., was on the verge of a great policing success.

Among the thousands of people streaming in to cheer former President Donald J. Trump at a campaign rally on Saturday, local officers spotted one skinny young man acting oddly and notified other law enforcement. The Secret Service, too, was informed, through radio communication. The suspicious man did not appear to have a weapon.

Remarkably, law enforcement had found the right man — Thomas Matthew Crooks, a would-be assassin, though officers did not know that at the time. Then they lost track of him.

Twenty minutes before violence erupted, a sniper, from a distance, spotted Mr. Crooks again and took his picture.

As time slipped away, at least two local officers were pulled from traffic detail to help search for the man. But the Secret Service, the agency charged with protecting Mr. Trump, did not stop him from taking the stage. Eight minutes after Mr. Trump started to speak, Mr. Crooks fired off bullets that left the Republican presidential nominee bloodied and a rally visitor dead.

Two Secret Service snipers look into binoculars while on a roof with sniper rifles.

Secret Service snipers surveilling the surrounding area before Mr. Trump began to speak.Credit...Eric Lee/The New York Times

The call to let the rally go ahead while law enforcement looked for a potentially dangerous person is one of many Secret Service decisions now being called into question. The agency is also under scrutiny for allowing a building within a rifle’s range to be excluded from its secure perimeter, creating a blind spot close to the former president that the gunman exploited.

“I am appalled to learn that the Secret Service knew about a threat prior to President Trump walking onstage,” Senator Marsha Blackburn, Republican of Tennessee, posted Wednesday on X, after a private briefing with the Secret Service and the F.B.I.

Multiple investigations into the lapses are underway, including one announced by President Biden Sunday. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas called the shooting, which killed one rally visitor and hospitalized two others, a security failure, though he has said Secret Service Director Kimberly A. Cheatle still has his support.

Ms. Cheatle in an interview with ABC News said she takes full responsibility.

Even as investigators continue to examine what happened, it is already clear that there were multiple missed opportunities to stop Mr. Crooks before the situation turned deadly. This account is based on video footage from the rally and statements from numerous federal officials, local law enforcement officers in Butler and members of Congress who were briefed by the F.B.I. and the Secret Service.

On July 8, an advance team walked the site, the Butler Farm Show grounds, to assess a security threat. Agents worked with local law enforcement and explained what the Secret Service would handle and what law enforcement would be expected to do. Crucially, the Secret Service decided that a group of warehouses to the north of the stage would be excluded from the security zone, despite being only about 450 feet from Mr. Trump’s podium. That was within a rifle’s range.

 
An aerial view of a stage, empty grounds and surrounding warehouses.
Despite his photo being circulated, the gunman was able to climb onto the roof of a nearby warehouse after law enforcement officials lost track of him.Credit...Kristian Thacker for The New York Times

That meant the warehouses were assigned to local law enforcement to secure. The Secret Service and the local police had treated the complex of warehouses just north of the rally site as an observation post. It was considered a place from which to watch Mr. Trump’s crowd — not a place that needed to be watched, itself.

But that created a blind spot, outside the security perimeter but well within rifle range of Mr. Trump. It was exploited by a gunman with no military training and little subtlety, who showed up early and acted oddly enough that police photographed him and distributed his picture, though with no weapon in view.

“I don’t know whose responsibility that building was,” Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger said. “But somebody should have been there.”

It was also unclear how long in advance Mr. Crooks had prepared. Mr. Trump announced his rally in Butler on July 3.

But in the aftermath, when the F.B.I. was able to finally access Mr. Crooks’s cellphones and other electronic devices, agents could see that he had searched for images of Mr. Trump as well as President Biden, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland and even F.B.I. Director Christopher A. Wray.

Mr. Crooks also typed in “major depressive disorder” and searched for dates and places for appearances for both Mr. Biden and Mr. Trump.

One of Mr. Trump’s planned appearances happened to be about 50 miles from Mr. Crooks’s house in Bethel Park, Pa.

On Friday, July 12, the day before the attempted assassination, Mr. Crooks went to a shooting range, according to an investigative summary prepared by the F.B.I. The next morning, he bought a ladder at a Home Depot and then later that day he purchased 50 rounds of ammunition from a gun shop near his home, according to the F.B.I. document and federal law enforcement officials.

Secret Service snipers on a warehouse roof look through gun scopes.

During Mr. Trump’s speech, the attention of the security teams around him pivoted to the area to the north, from where the shots would eventually come. The gunman was on a warehouse roof, but it is unclear if the Secret Service snipers could see him. Credit...Eric Lee/The New York Times

In his car, a Hyundai Sonata, Mr. Crooks brought an AR-15 style rifle, bought by his father more than a decade earlier. And he brought two homemade bombs, in which a potentially explosive mixture of fertilizer and fuel was packed inside empty ammunition cans that were roughly the size of a toolbox.

The bombs were fitted with a remote-control receiver — the type typically used to set off fireworks displays remotely — according to another federal government report seen by The Times. The report said the bombs appeared designed to be set off by a remote control. He brought that, too.

Mr. Trump’s rally in Butler was supposed to start at 5 p.m., though Mr. Trump did not go onstage for another hour after that. Video obtained by Pittsburgh’s WTAE-TV appears to show that Mr. Crooks was there by at least 5:06 p.m.

The video suggests that Mr. Crooks walked around in front of the warehouse building he would eventually use as a sniper’s perch. He appeared unarmed and unhurried, looking toward the rally site with a hand in his pocket.

The officer took a photo of him and circulated it around officers at the rally. The official said that local officers tried to follow the suspicious man, but lost track.

It was about 20 minutes before the shooting.

At some point, Mr. Crooks climbed onto the roof of a warehouse, building No. 6 of a complex of interconnected corrugated-metal buildings used by an equipment company, AGR International.

The location had obvious advantages to a would-be sniper: a clear, elevated line of sight toward the stage where Mr. Trump would stand. Ms. Cheatle said no officers were stationed on the roof itself because of safety concerns arising from the roof’s slope.

Bleachers filled with litter.

The aftermath of the shooting last week. Credit...Doug Mills/The New York Times

There were conflicting accounts of how Mr. Crooks got up to the roof. A Secret Service spokesman said Wednesday that he had climbed up to the roof on his own, perhaps by using an air-conditioner. Federal investigators believe that he did not use a ladder even though Mr. Crooks had bought one that morning.

At 6:03 p.m. Mr. Trump appeared, waving to the cheering crowd. Six minutes later, with Trump now energetically speaking onstage, witnesses noticed Mr. Crooks crawling into position on the roof. They alerted local officers, who patrolled the area outside the Secret Service’s perimeter.

It was two minutes before the shooting.

Onstage, Mr. Trump continued speaking, seemingly unaware.

But around him, the Secret Service contingent frantically began to respond, shifting its focus from scanning the crowd to scanning the area north of the security perimeter. The sprawling warehouse complex just to the north — the blind spot — was now everyone’s focus.

On a barn directly behind Mr. Trump, a Secret Service counter-sniper team quickly clambered from one side of the peaked roofs to the other. Now, they pointed their rifles at the warehouse about 450 feet to Mr. Trump’s right.

Mr. Crooks was on the warehouse roof, but it is unclear if the Secret Service counter-snipers could see him. A New York Times visual analysis showed that the view for these snipers was likely blocked by the gentle peak of the warehouse’s roof.

Mr. Crooks was still hidden, low-crawling up the other side.

On the ground, officers from the small Butler Township Police Department had been assigned to direct traffic near the warehouse. According to a social media post from Butler Township Commissioner Edward Natali, at least two of the officers left their traffic posts to help look for the suspicious person.

Two officers went to the warehouse, and one officer boosted the other up, so that his head was above the roofline. He and Mr. Crooks saw each other. Mr. Crooks “turned his firearm,” Mr. Natali wrote, but the officer could not fire back: He was holding onto the roof with both hands.

The officer fell backward and was injured, Mr. Natali wrote.

Mr. Crooks reached the peak of the warehouse roof, high enough to see over the top. A witness on the ground yelled: “He’s on the roof! He’s got a gun!”

Then time was up. Mr. Crooks fired his rifle eight times, according to a Times analysis of audio from the scene. His first shot appeared to graze Mr. Trump, bloodying his right ear. Two other rallygoers were injured, and a 50-year-old retired firefighter, Corey Comperatore, was killed.

Afterward, a Secret Service sniper on the south barn killed him with one shot. A local police officer in another part of the area also fired at him, but it was unclear if his bullet struck Mr. Crooks, according to the Butler County district attorney.

When the police reached Mr. Crooks’s body on the roof, he had no identification on him. Officers traced the serial number on his rifle to his father. In his pocket, he carried a remote control to the bombs in his car.

It was not clear if he had tried to use it, or if the bombs were made well enough to explode.

Eduardo Medina and Jeanna Smialek contributed reporting from Butler, Pa., Chelsia Rose Marcius from Bethel Park, Pa., Mark Walker and John Ismay from Washington, and William K. Rashbaum from New York.

July 17, 2024

Glenn ThrushJack Healy and 

Glenn Thrush and Luke Broadwater reported from Washington.

 Christopher A. Wray, the F.B.I. director, wearing a blue suit and striped tie, walks among a group of people.

The gunman searched for information on both Trump and Biden, the F.B.I. tells lawmakers.

The F.B.I. director, Christopher A. Wray, last year. On a conference call with members of Congress on Wednesday, he went out of his way to caution that the investigation was still in its early stages.Credit...Haiyun Jiang for The New York Times

F.B.I. officials told members of Congress on Wednesday that the gunman who tried to kill former President Donald J. Trump used his cellphone and other devices to search for images of Mr. Trump and President Biden, along with an array of public figures.

The 20-year-old gunman, Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, Pa., also looked up dates of Mr. Trump’s appearances and the Democratic National Convention, according to people on two conference calls held to answer lawmakers’ questions.

And, at least once, his browsing history signaled concerns about his own mental state.

The disclosures, made during private briefings to lawmakers by the F.B.I. and the head of the embattled Secret Service, offered the most complete portrait so far of a would-be assassin with no criminal history, or even clearly discernible political beliefs, who came close to killing Mr. Trump. Still, no clear motive for the attack has emerged.

The official assessment aligned with recollections of people who knew him. Several former classmates have said they never heard the gunman express any particular political ideology. But Vincent Taormina, a former classmate who said he attended middle school and high school with the gunman, said in an interview that Mr. Crooks showed a general disdain for politicians in both parties.

He recalled one instance when the two were in seventh grade. During a classroom political debate, Mr. Taormina voiced his support for Mr. Trump. Mr. Crooks seemed incredulous.

“He says, ‘Aren’t you Hispanic? And you like Trump?’” Mr. Taormina said. “He said, ‘That’s a little stupid.’”

Mr. Taormina brushed off the encounter, and had few other interactions with Mr. Crooks. But he disputed other classmates’ accounts that the gunman had been bullied or had been a loner, saying that he was intelligent and had his own small group of friends.

“I did not know him personally or as a friend, but he was not bullied, he was not a recluse,” Mr. Taormina said.

The F.B.I. has been scouring Mr. Crooks’s possessions since the shooting on Saturday — including two phones and at least one laptop — for clues about his motive. So far, they have found no indication that Mr. Crooks, who was a registered Republican, had strong partisan political views one way or another, bureau officials told lawmakers.

Nor have they uncovered any evidence of co-conspirators or connections to foreign actors, two top bureau officials said during the tense calls in which members of the House and Senate demanded answers about a nearly catastrophic failure to safeguard Mr. Trump.

The investigation is proving to be tricky. That was illustrated when officials on one of the calls said they were investigating the possibility that an account bearing Mr. Crooks’s name on the gaming platform Steam had previewed the attack, with a post saying he would make his “premiere” on July 13, the day of the shooting. But upon further examination, that now seems to have been a fake, according to law enforcement officials.

A more substantial development concerned the shooter’s state of mind. The officials told lawmakers that there was some indication that the gunman, who led a quiet life and worked at a nursing home near his house, might have been struggling with depression.

Officials singled out some of the searches on one of his cellphones, saying that he had looked up “major depressive disorder,” according to a person on the calls and another briefed on its contents.

Mr. Crooks seems to have been on good terms with his parents, who are both counselors, but they were not closely involved in the day-to-day details of his life, officials said.

Over the last several months, the gunman received multiple packages, including several that were marked “hazardous material,” according to a federal law enforcement memo obtained by The New York Times. Federal officials reviewed his shipping history after they discovered three explosive devices connected to him, the memo said. One device was found in his home, and two others were found in his car parked near the rally.

Investigators discovered two improvised explosive devices in the would-be assassin’s car that used a radio-controlled initiation system intended for commercial fireworks demonstrations.

While the briefing on Wednesday filled in some blanks, it left many questions unanswered. Federal law enforcement officials are puzzled and exasperated by the lack of evidence on the gunman’s two phones, one found by his body on the roof of a warehouse outside the security perimeter of the rally, the other discovered during a search of his house.

F.B.I. officials, speaking on the calls, suggested that his search history indicated he was broadly interested in powerful and famous people, without any obvious ideological or partisan pattern.

Among the other prominent figures the gunman searched for using one of his phones, besides Mr. Trump and Mr. Biden, were the F.B.I. director, Christopher A. Wray; Attorney General Merrick B. Garland; and a member of the British royal family, according to two officials with knowledge of the situation, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss the matter publicly.

Mr. Wray, who was also on the calls, went out of his way to caution that the investigation was still in its early stages.

But the absence of “any political or ideological information” at the house Mr. Crooks shared with his mother and father was “notable” because most people who carry out acts of political violence tend to leave a discernible trail of political views, a top bureau official told lawmakers.

Kimberly A. Cheatle, the director of the Secret Service, admitted that her agency made serious “mistakes” during one of the calls, and provided new information about Mr. Crooks’s movements during the shooting. She is scheduled to testify before the House Oversight Committee on Monday.

During the briefing with senators, officials ran through a timeline of events, noting that law enforcement officers had identified the gunman as suspicious about an hour before the shooting but then lost track of him, according to two people familiar with the contents of the briefing.

About 20 minutes before the shooting, a sniper spotted him again, the people said.

Some senators left their call angry with the Secret Service after learning that officers did not intervene before he opened fire.

“He had a rangefinder and a backpack. The Secret Service lost sight of him. No one has taken responsibility,” Senator John Barrasso, Republican of Wyoming, said in a statement, adding, “The head of the Secret Service needs to go.”

Senator Rick Scott, Republican of Florida, called on federal law enforcement agencies to publicly release the same details shared with lawmakers.

“The Biden administration has got to start being open with Americans about what happened, who is being held accountable and how we make sure it never happens again,” he said.

Chelsia Rose Marcius contributed reporting from Butler, Pa., and Adam Goldman from Washington.

Aishvarya Kavi
July 17, 2024, 3:48 p.m. ETJuly 17, 2024
July 17, 2024

Reporting from Washington


Trump gunman Thomas Crooks leaves behind pile of mysteries

July 18, 2024
BUTLER, Pennsylvania, July 17 (Reuters) - - Thomas Crooks was pacing next to a warehouse building outside the Butler Farm Show grounds as a crowd gathered for one of former President Donald Trump's signature outdoor rallies.
Crooks had already been flagged as suspicious by law enforcement. By the time two police officers walked over to check him out, he was on the roof, belly crawling.
“He’s got a gun,” a bystander yelled.
One officer hoisted the other to the lip of the roof. As the officer pulled his head over the edge, a long-haired young man wearing glasses turned toward him, wielding an AR-15 -style rifle. The officer dropped back to the ground, the Butler County sheriff told Reuters.
Crooks, an introverted 20-year-old computer whiz who had just earned a spot at a college engineering program, turned back to his target about 400 feet away. He squeezed off several shots at Trump, clipping the former president’s ear, killing an audience member and wounding two others before Secret Service snipers on a nearby building killed him with counterfire.
This account of the first assassination attempt to injure a U.S. president since 1981 is based on interviews with more than two dozen people, including law enforcement officials, Crooks’ school associates and witnesses who attended the rally, along with public records and news accounts.
Crooks fired his rifle at approximately 6:10 pm, according to a Reuters photographer at the rally. Trump winced and grabbed his right ear. Secret Service agents tackled the former president and some supporters dived for cover. A bullet hit what appeared to be the hydraulic line of a forklift that held a bank of speakers to the right side of the stage. Fluid spewed across the crowd and the lift's arm collapsed. To the left, screams erupted where a spectator had been fatally shot.
As Secret Service agents tackled the former president, some supporters scrambled for safety. Others grabbed children and hustled towards the gates.
"The audience wasn't like what you'd expect out of a crowd that just experienced something like this,” said Saurabh Sharma, a Trump supporter sitting near the front. “Everyone was really quiet. There were a few women crying. They were, you know, saying, ‘I can't believe they tried to kill him’.”
 
Four days after the assassination attempt, a coherent picture of the moments before the shooting was emerging. But Crooks’ ideology and reasons for pulling the trigger remained a mystery.
A review of Crooks’ phone by the Federal Bureau of Investigation found he had searched for images of both President Joe Biden and Trump, as well as other famous figures, in the days before the shooting, the New York Times reported on Wednesday, citing U.S. lawmakers briefed on the law enforcement investigation.
Crooks had been searching for the dates of Trump’s public appearances and of the Democratic National Convention, the report said. He had also looked up “major depressive disorder” on his phone, the Times said. Reuters was unable to independently confirm the report.
The shooting comes amid a years-long rise of political violenceand threats in the U.S. When that violence turns deadly, it has been more likely to be perpetrated by people on the American right, according to a Reuters analysis published last year. But the ideological motivation behind Saturday’s attack remains unclear.

POLITICALLY DIVIDED TOWN

Crooks seemed to have a bright future, said two people who knew him at the Community College of Allegheny County, where he graduated in May with a two-year associate’s degree in engineering.
One college instructor told Reuters that she had gone back through his assignments this week, bewildered that the conscientious student who distinguished himself by going “above and beyond” could have turned murderous.
The instructor, who declined to be identified, said his homework responses were thoughtful and his emails polite. He excelled at an assignment to redesign a toy for people with disabilities. “He did a chess set for the blind. He 3D-printed it. He put the Braille on it. He talked to experts in the field,” she recalled. “He really took a lot of care.”
Crooks made less of an impression on classmates. Samuel Strotman, also enrolled in CCAC’s engineering program, took two online classes with Crooks. Strotman said Crooks never spoke in the lectures and had his camera turned off.
Investigation begins after gunfire during a campaign rally by Trump in Butler
A view of police tape near the home of 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, named by the FBI as the "subject involved" in the attempted assassination of former U.S. President and Republican... Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab Read more
A college employee who knew Crooks said he was quiet but pleasant. “It's just very, very, very unexpected,” the employee said. Crooks had seemed interested in pursuing a career in mechanical engineering, the employee said.
The college closed its engineering program on June 30. Crooks was planning to continue his engineering education at nearby Robert Morris University, that school confirmed.
Most recently, he worked as a dietary aide at a nursing home, where he “performed his job without concern,” the center said. The job was down the street from his home in Bethel Park, a middle-class suburb of Pittsburgh, where he had lived in a modest brick home with his parents and older sister.
At Bethel Park High School, where he graduated in 2022, he kept a low profile, according to classmates. One former classmate told The Philadelphia Inquirer that Crooks expressed conservative views in a history class where other students leaned liberal. Others said his views were never apparent. His photo was missing in his senior yearbook, with his name listed under “not pictured.” He enjoyed gaming and building computers, a classmate told Reuters.
Crooks’ town, Bethel Park, is divided almost down America’s political middle. In the 2020 election, Trump eked out a 65-vote margin in the borough of about 33,000 people, results show.
The political split showed up in the Crooks household. Thomas was a registered Republican. His father is a Libertarian and his mother is a Democrat, voter registration records show. Both are social workers. When Crooks was 17, he made a $15 donation to a political action committee earmarked for a Democratic turnout group, according to federal election data.
His school counselor Jim Knapp, who retired in 2022, said Crooks rarely came across his radar because he wasn’t a “needy type kid.” Knapp occasionally checked on him at lunch because he was sitting alone. “I’d say, ‘Do you want to sit with somebody?’ And he’d say, ‘No, I’m okay by myself,’” Knapp recalled.
Former high-school classmate Max Rich said Crooks was shy and “never seemed like the type” to commit such violence.
He left virtually no digital footprint. He spent time on Discord, a gaming platform, but the company said it found “no evidence that it was used to plan this incident, promote violence, or discuss his political views.”
Crooks was a member of the local Clairton Sportsmen's Club, a gun club. He was wearing a shirt advertising “Demolition Ranch,” a YouTube channel for firearms enthusiasts, when he was killed. After the shooting, Matt Carriker, a Texas veterinarian who runs the Demolition Ranch channel, posted a video on X saying he was “shocked and confused” to learn that Crooks was wearing his channel’s merchandise. “We keep politics out of it,” he said, adding that he did not know and had never met or communicated with Crooks.

HOMEMADE BOMBS AND AMMUNITION

Crooks appeared to spend at least some time preparing for the Trump event. He bought ammunition on the day of the rally, stopping at a gun store in his hometown of Bethel Park to pick up 50 rounds, according to a joint bulletin issued this week by the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which is leading the investigation.
He built three homemade bombs – two found in his car and another in his home, according to the bulletin, which was reviewed by Reuters. In the preceding months, the bulletin noted, Crooks had received “multiple packages, including some marked as possibly containing hazardous material.”
At the rally, Crooks caught the attention of local law enforcement while pacing around the grounds before Trump took the stage. One officer called in a report of a suspicious person and snapped a photo that was distributed electronically to other officers at the scene, according to Butler County Sheriff Michael Slupe, a Trump backer who was seated near the front of the rally as a special guest.
As two Butler Township Police officers responded to the call, people in the crowd already had noticed a man on the roof. Some yelled that he had a gun, according to crowd-shot video reviewed by Reuters. Slupe told Reuters the officer who initially pulled himself onto the roof had no time to unholster his gun when Crooks turned on him, leaving him no option but to drop back to the ground.
Secret Service officials have said their agency is responsible for securing the area within the event’s security perimeter; the building used by Crooks was just outside it. But some former agency officials and other security experts have disputed that contention, arguing that buildings with a direct sight line and within firing range of the former president should have been swept and under constant surveillance by the service’s sniper teams.
Local officials have bristled at any suggestions that town or county law enforcement was responsible for securing the building.
“The Butler Township Police Department had no security detail for this event,” Butler Township commissioner Edward Natali wrote in a Tuesday post on Facebook, noting that the township had seven officers on site solely for traffic duty. Even though the officer who confronted Crooks on the roof had to fall back, he added, the encounter “most likely forced the shooter to hurry his shots.”

Get weekly news and analysis on the U.S. elections and how it matters to the world with the newsletter On the Campaign Trail. Sign up here.

Additional reporting by Rich McKay, Andrew Hay, Aram Roston, Monica Naime and Sarah Lynch. Editing by Jason Szep

 

 
Gabriella Borter

Thomson Reuters

Gabriella Borter is a reporter on the U.S. National Affairs team, covering cultural and political issues as well as breaking news. She has won two Front Page Awards from the Newswomen’s Club of New York - in 2020 for her beat reporting on healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in 2019 for her spot story on the firing of the police officer who killed Eric Garner. The latter was also a Deadline Club Awards finalist. She holds a B.A. in English from Yale University and joined Reuters in 2017.

 

Here’s a look at the multiple investigations into the shooting.

An aerial view of the Butler Farm Show grounds as the wind blows the flag over the stage.Credit...Kristian Thacker for The New York Times

As the F.B.I. investigates the attempt to assassinate former President Donald J. Trump at a campaign rally, Congress and the Homeland Security Department have begun their own inquiries into broader security failures, including by the Secret Service, that allowed the attack to take place.

The overlapping investigations, some just announced and others fully underway, aim to understand how a 20-year-old gunman was able to fire at Mr. Trump at the rally in western Pennsylvania, injuring the former president, killing an audience member and gravely wounding two others.

Here’s what to know about the inquiries:

Who is investigating the attempt on Mr. Trump’s life?

While the F.B.I.’s criminal investigation looks to unearth the shooter’s motives, other inquiries are expected to focus on security failures tied to the attack.

The Secret Service is charged with protecting the nation’s leaders, including former presidents. The agency, part of the Homeland Security Department, also works with local law enforcement to secure events like political rallies and other appearances.

Congress has oversight over the Secret Service, and at least four committees in the House and Senate have signaled that they will begin inquiries, with the first hearings scheduled for next week. President Biden has also announced his intention to start an independent national security investigation.

Within the Homeland Security Department, there will be at least two inquiries: one by the Office of the Inspector General, which is tasked with broad oversight over the agency, and one by the Secret Service itself to examine internal failures.

What are the investigations looking for?

The investigations look at both the internal security failures that enabled an attack on a former president and at external factors, including why the shooter tried to kill Mr. Trump and whether the episode was part of a larger plot.

It had been 52 years since a presidential candidate was killed or hurt in an attack, though as president, Ronald Reagan was seriously injured in 1981, two months after his inauguration, when he was shot outside a hotel in Washington.

Previous shootings of sitting presidents and candidates for the office set off extensive congressional investigations, as well as probes from the Secret Service, state and local law enforcement agencies and prosecutors. A broader conspiracy was found in only one of at least 15 previous attacks: the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln in 1865.

Among the questions facing the Secret Service are why it did not adequately secure the building where the gunman fired from the roof, which was less than 500 feet from the stage where Mr. Trump was speaking. Lawmakers have also pointed fingers at the conduct of agents in the moments after the shooting, including allowing Mr. Trump to linger on the stage and raise a fist before the crowd.

How is the F.B.I. investigation progressing?

The F.B.I. is leading the main criminal investigation into the shooting. Federal officials said they have found no evidence that the shooting was part of a larger plot, but have not ruled out any scenario.

The F.B.I. said Monday that it had gained access to the shooter’s cellphone. But they still do not have a motive for the gunman, identified by law enforcement as Thomas Matthew Crooks. He had no criminal history and no known strong political beliefs. Federal investigators hope that the data on his password-protected phone will shed light on the shooting.

If the shooter acted alone, it is unlikely any criminal charges will be brought, as Mr. Crooks was killed by a Secret Service sniper at the scene.

What is the Homeland Security Department examining?

Alejandro N. Mayorkas, the homeland security secretary, called the shooting a security failure and said the department would conduct an internal investigation.

“We have a fail-proof responsibility,” he said in an interview on CNN that aired Monday. But Mr. Mayorkas said he remained confident in the Secret Service and its director, Kimberly A. Cheatle.

The department’s inspector general has a mandate to review the Secret Service, making an investigation inevitable. Independent investigations led by Congress or directed by external officials are more likely to shed light on security failures leading up to the attack.

In her statement on Monday, Ms. Cheatle said the Secret Service was working with federal, state and local agencies “to understand what happened, how it happened, and how we can prevent an incident like this from ever taking place again.” She said the agency would “participate fully” in the independent review announced by President Biden, as well as cooperating with congressional committees.

Will Congress launch an independent commission to investigate?

At least five congressional committees in the House and Senate have held briefings or called hearings on the shooting. Ms. Cheatle is expected to testify before the House Oversight Committee on Monday, in the first of three hearings on Capitol Hill next week about the assassination attempt.

Ahead of Ms. Cheatle’s testimony, the oversight panel’s leader, Representative James R. Comer, Republican of Kentucky, and Representative Mark E. Green, Republican of Tennessee, who leads the House Homeland Security Committee, which has also committed to investigating the shooting, have demanded a trove of documents, recordings and communications from Ms. Cheatle and other top federal law enforcement officials.

They have asked for the security plan for the rally and other documents and communications, including those that took place in the aftermath of the shooting.

Mr. Green has also asked Ms. Cheatle, Mr. Mayorkas and Christopher Wray, the director of the F.B.I., to testify before his panel next week, saying: “The American people want answers.”

The House Judiciary Committee will hear from Mr. Wray next Wednesday, the third hearing related to the attack at the rally.

Some lawmakers have called for an independent commission to lead an investigation, along the lines of the Warren Commission that examined the 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

Because Congress can demand and review documents and evidence from across federal, state and local agencies, a congressional investigation would probably be best equipped to present a thorough, independent review of the assassination attempt. But its answers may not prove satisfactory to everyone, as was the case with the Warren Commission, whose conclusion that the gunman Lee Harvey Oswald had acted alone has been the subject of speculation and debate for decades.

Our Coverage of the Trump Rally Shooting


Related Content

  •  

    Gunman’s Phone Had Details About Both Trump and Biden, F.B.I. Officials Say

    The disclosure, during private briefings to lawmakers in the House and Senate, offered more details from the early stages of the investigation into the attempted assassination of former President Donald J. Trump.

    https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/17/us/trump-shooting-crooks-motive.html?region=BELOW_MAIN_CONTENT&block=storyline_flex_guide_recirc&name=styln-trump-shooting&variant=show&pgtype=LegacyCollection

    Christopher A. Wray, the F.B.I. director, wearing a blue suit and striped tie, walks among a group of people.

    The F.B.I. director, Christopher A. Wray, last year. On a conference call with members of Congress on Wednesday, he went out of his way to caution that the investigation was still in its early stages.Credit...Haiyun Jiang for The New York Times

    Glenn ThrushJack Healy and 

    Glenn Thrush and Luke Broadwater reported from Washington.

    F.B.I. officials told members of Congress on Wednesday that the gunman who tried to kill former President Donald J. Trump used his cellphone and other devices to search for images of Mr. Trump and President Biden, along with an array of public figures.

    The 20-year-old gunman, Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, Pa., also looked up dates of Mr. Trump’s appearances and the Democratic National Convention, according to people on two conference calls held to answer lawmakers’ questions.

    And, at least once, his browsing history signaled concerns about his own mental state.

    The disclosures, made during private briefings to lawmakers by the F.B.I. and the head of the embattled Secret Service, offered the most complete portrait so far of a would-be assassin with no criminal history, or even clearly discernible political beliefs, who came close to killing Mr. Trump. Still, no clear motive for the attack has emerged.

    The official assessment aligned with recollections of people who knew him. Several former classmates have said they never heard the gunman express any particular political ideology. But Vincent Taormina, a former classmate who said he attended middle school and high school with the gunman, said in an interview that Mr. Crooks showed a general disdain for politicians in both parties.

    He recalled one instance when the two were in seventh grade. During a classroom political debate, Mr. Taormina voiced his support for Mr. Trump. Mr. Crooks seemed incredulous.

    “He says, ‘Aren’t you Hispanic? And you like Trump?’” Mr. Taormina said. “He said, ‘That’s a little stupid.’”

    Mr. Taormina brushed off the encounter, and had few other interactions with Mr. Crooks. But he disputed other classmates’ accounts that the gunman had been bullied or had been a loner, saying that he was intelligent and had his own small group of friends.

    “I did not know him personally or as a friend, but he was not bullied, he was not a recluse,” Mr. Taormina said.

    The F.B.I. has been scouring Mr. Crooks’s possessions since the shooting on Saturday — including two phones and at least one laptop — for clues about his motive. So far, they have found no indication that Mr. Crooks, who was a registered Republican, had strong partisan political views one way or another, bureau officials told lawmakers.

    Nor have they uncovered any evidence of co-conspirators or connections to foreign actors, two top bureau officials said during the tense calls in which members of the House and Senate demanded answers about a nearly catastrophic failure to safeguard Mr. Trump.

    The investigation is proving to be tricky. That was illustrated when officials on one of the calls said they were investigating the possibility that an account bearing Mr. Crooks’s name on the gaming platform Steam had previewed the attack, with a post saying he would make his “premiere” on July 13, the day of the shooting. But upon further examination, that now seems to have been a fake, according to law enforcement officials.

    A more substantial development concerned the shooter’s state of mind. The officials told lawmakers that there was some indication that the gunman, who led a quiet life and worked at a nursing home near his house, might have been struggling with depression.

    Officials singled out some of the searches on one of his cellphones, saying that he had looked up “major depressive disorder,” according to a person on the calls and another briefed on its contents.

    Our politics reporters. Times journalists are not allowed to endorse or campaign for candidates or political causes. That includes participating in rallies and donating money to a candidate or cause.

    Mr. Crooks seems to have been on good terms with his parents, who are both counselors, but they were not closely involved in the day-to-day details of his life, officials said.

    Over the last several months, the gunman received multiple packages, including several that were marked “hazardous material,” according to a federal law enforcement memo obtained by The New York Times. Federal officials reviewed his shipping history after they discovered three explosive devices connected to him, the memo said. One device was found in his home, and two others were found in his car parked near the rally.

    Investigators discovered two improvised explosive devices in the would-be assassin’s car that used a radio-controlled initiation system intended for commercial fireworks demonstrations.

    While the briefing on Wednesday filled in some blanks, it left many questions unanswered. Federal law enforcement officials are puzzled and exasperated by the lack of evidence on the gunman’s two phones, one found by his body on the roof of a warehouse outside the security perimeter of the rally, the other discovered during a search of his house.

    F.B.I. officials, speaking on the calls, suggested that his search history indicated he was broadly interested in powerful and famous people, without any obvious ideological or partisan pattern.

    Among the other prominent figures the gunman searched for using one of his phones, besides Mr. Trump and Mr. Biden, were the F.B.I. director, Christopher A. Wray; Attorney General Merrick B. Garland; and a member of the British royal family, according to two officials with knowledge of the situation, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss the matter publicly.

    Mr. Wray, who was also on the calls, went out of his way to caution that the investigation was still in its early stages.

    But the absence of “any political or ideological information” at the house Mr. Crooks shared with his mother and father was “notable” because most people who carry out acts of political violence tend to leave a discernible trail of political views, a top bureau official told lawmakers.

    Kimberly A. Cheatle, the director of the Secret Service, admitted that her agency made serious “mistakes” during one of the calls, and provided new information about Mr. Crooks’s movements during the shooting. She is scheduled to testify before the House Oversight Committee on Monday.

    During the briefing with senators, officials ran through a timeline of events, noting that law enforcement officers had identified the gunman as suspicious about an hour before the shooting but then lost track of him, according to two people familiar with the contents of the briefing.

    About 20 minutes before the shooting, a sniper spotted him again, the people said.

    Some senators left their call angry with the Secret Service after learning that officers did not intervene before he opened fire

    “He had a rangefinder and a backpack. The Secret Service lost sight of him. No one has taken responsibility,” Senator John Barrasso, Republican of Wyoming, said in a statement, adding, “The head of the Secret Service needs to go.”

    Senator Rick Scott, Republican of Florida, called on federal law enforcement agencies to publicly release the same details shared with lawmakers.

    “The Biden administration has got to start being open with Americans about what happened, who is being held accountable and how we make sure it never happens again,” he said.

    Chelsia Rose Marcius contributed reporting from Butler, Pa., and Adam Goldman from Washington.

    Glenn Thrush covers the Department of Justice and has also written about gun violence, civil rights and conditions in the country’s jails and prisons. More about Glenn Thrush

    Jack Healy is a Phoenix-based national correspondent who focuses on the fast-changing politics and climate of the Southwest. He has worked in Iraq and Afghanistan and is a graduate of the University of Missouri’s journalism school. More about Jack Healy

    Luke Broadwater covers Congress with a focus on congressional investigations. More about Luke Broadwater

    Butler County sheriff says Secret Service director applauded work of local law enforcement at Trump rally shooting

https://www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/news/secret-service-director-talks-trump-rally-shooting/

BUTLER TOWNSHIP, Pa. (KDKA) — Investigators are still combing through the Butler County Farm Show grounds three days after the assassination attempt against Donald Trump.

They are trying to understand how 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks got on the roof of the AGR building and got a clear line of fire at the former president.

Secret Service director reaches out to local law enforcement              

KDKA-TV learned that Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle called Butler County Sheriff Michael Slupe and applauded their efforts at Saturday's rally. 

"I was told the director of the Secret Service has taken responsibility by I believe the statement that the buck stops here with her," Slupe said. "I applauded that statement and reflected on the sheriff's office and myself as a leader. And if something happened under my watch, I would take responsibility as well." 

Cheatle also told ABC News a decision was made not to put police on the roof used by the shooter.

"That building in particular has a sloped roof, at its highest point. And so, there's a safety factor that would be considered there that we wouldn't want to put somebody up on a sloped roof. And so, the decision was made to secure the building, from inside."

It's still unclear who made that decision. 

Sources told KDKA-TV that one or two members of a local SWAT team were assigned to the AGR complex near the rally. They were stationed inside the building and looking out the windows with no access to the roof, sources added.

Who was responsible for securing the area? 

KDKA-TV has asked who was responsible for that area and what instructions they got from the Secret Service, but no one will comment. 

Sources said what may have added to communication issues is that there were two command posts: one for the Secret Service and state police and one for local authorities. 

"Do you think there were enough Secret Service for this detail at the Trump rally?" KDKA-TV's Jennifer Borrasso asked. 

"There was enough law enforcement at the Trump rally," Slupe said. 

Pennsylvania State Police said in a statement that 30 to 40 troopers were at the rally to help with security inside the perimeter. State police said they had no responsibility for security anywhere on AGR's property. 

Pennsylvania

 

with Trump Rally Supports

                     Analysis          

Open campaign events, such as Saturday's, are tough to secure against all  threats, but insiders said they were surprised that the gunman was able  to scale a roof overlooking the rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where  Donald Trump was speaking.

A "fundamental security failure" allowed a gunman to get close  enough to Donald Trump to shoot him, according to an analysis of the  scene of the assassination attempt.

Sky News analysis of the area where the former president was shot from as he gave a speech to supporters in Butler,  Pennsylvania, on Saturday, suggests a large tree blocked the view  between the gunman and the closest armed protection unit.

Donald Trump

What Trump said after being shot    

He told NBC, Sky's US partner: "They were behind the curve, because they should have had those places covered ahead of time."

His  comments come after the BBC interviewed a man who described himself as  an eyewitness, who said he saw a man armed with a rifle crawling up a  roof near the event.

The person, who the BBC did not name, said he  and other people he was with started trying to alert security, pointing  at the man.

The Nato 5.56 cartridge fires the bullet at a velocity of 3,250 feet per second — almost three times the speed of sound (1,125 feet per second). A bullet moving at this speed induces air pressure changes around the bullet that produce a contrail similar to those that form on the low pressure side of aircraft wings.

What could possibly explain the catastrophic failure to secure the perimeter around the stage? It’s hard for me to imagine a legitimate explanation for such a lapse of such elementary security procedures.

 https://usaweekly.com.au/trump-shooting-analysishttps://usaweekly.com.au/trump-shooting-analysis

www.usaweekly.com.au

Pic: AP

What saved Donald Trump's Life from a well planned authorised assassination from the top of the food chain in control of the USA Security Operatives to allow a shooter to find a convenient spot to shoot Donald Trump from was that Donald Trump moved his head to look at his other tele-monitor... A top security analyist who spoke t the USAWEEKLY.COM.AU said that Trump must have been protected by God to allow him to live to become the next USA President ... by having two tele-monitors he moved his head to and from .. and moved his heard just at the right time when the assassins bullet would have normally hit his head in the middle of Donald Trump's forehead

Donald Trump

 What Trump said after being shot    

He told NBC, Sky's US partner: "They were behind the curve, because they should have had those places covered ahead of time." His  comments come after the BBC interviewed a man who described himself as  an eyewitness, who said he saw a man armed with a rifle crawling up a roof near the event. The person, who the BBC did not name, said he and other people he was with started trying to alert security, pointing at the man.

Head and shoulder shot of young man in black graduation robes

Thomas Matthew Crooks in the 2022 Bethel Park High School Commencement. Photo: The Bethel Park School District/AP.

Butler County district attorney Richard Goldinger told AP on Sunday that Crooks had been previously unknown to investigators in his county and had not been on their radar

Thomas Matthew Crooks was a member of a shooting club and train for around 12 months to be able to be a good enough shooter to be able at hit Donald Trump's forehead form a 130 yard range. It makes no difference whether Thomas Matthew Crooks was quietly working under instructions of others or was mind controlled by others to train and carry out an assassination of Donald Trump, which is very likely the case, ... the real issue here is that there would be thousands of people who would want to assassinate Donald Trump for all sorts of reasons. .... all those running the security Agencies that are meant to be protecting the life and well being of Donald Trump being a former president of the USA... would be well aware of this fact.. so as Colonel Leroy Fletcher Prouty says in his book The Secret Team, the person or persons or organisations that are the cause of an assassination attempt of a high profile person, who in normal circumstances always has top security at public appearances, that are responsible for inefficient low level security on a particular day, are responsible and are the cause of such assassination attempt....

https://petermcculloughmd.substack.com/

As I have observed in previous columns, our era in the United States is frequently beset with incidents characterized by a catastrophic loss of competence. Decades of procedural knowledge seem to vanish from one day to the next, leaving sensible people wondering how it could possibly happen.

The attempted assassination of Donald Trump this evening at the the Butler Farm Show Grounds is a perfect example of this bizarre phenomenon. The shooter climbed onto the roof—purportedly with an AR-15 style semi-automatic rifle —120 meters from Trump on the stage. From this vantage point, he had a clear line of sight for a shot that would have been easy for even a middling marksman. The following aerial photograph shows the shooter’s position relative to Trumps.

As anyone who understands the rudiments of security knows, the FIRST thing you do is secure all rooftops within sniper range. Note in the following video that a counter sniper (with the word POLICE embroidered on the back of his vest) on the roof behind Trump is scoping the would-be assassin’s position.

He appears to see the would-be assassin and start to engage (while flinching) right before the would-be assassin’s shots can be heard. Clearly the counter snipers knew that the rooftop presented a high risk position or they wouldn’t have been scoping it.

Why wasn’t this building—AGR International Inc., a manufacturing plant just north of the Butler Farm show ground—secured before Trump began speaking? It seems to me that this building would be the first thing a security detail would secure. The green pin on the roof to the east of Trump’s position marks where the counter snipers are posted. Again, why didn’t they just secure the building onto which the shooter climbed? This makes no sense.

Here Is The Venue

The gunman apparently fired right as Trump looked to the right, towards the gunman. The grazing shot to Trump’s right ear was just a centimeter to the left (from the gunman’s POV) of a fatal head shot. I emphasize that the gunman was positioned at very close range. In the following video, I hit a small condiment package at 75 yards on the second shot with the same kind of rifle with open sights.

Note what appears to be a vapor trail behind the bullet.

The Nato 5.56 cartridge fires the bullet at a velocity of 3,250 feet per second — almost three times the speed of sound (1,125 feet per second). A bullet moving at this speed induces air pressure changes around the bullet that produce a contrail similar to those that form on the low pressure side of aircraft wings.

What could possibly explain the catastrophic failure to secure the perimeter around the stage? It’s hard for me to imagine a legitimate explanation for such a lapse of such elementary security procedures

 
 

5, 2001) served as Chief of Special Operations for the Joint Chiefs of Staff under President John F. Kennedy.

https://www.theguardian.com/news/2001/jun/22/guardianobituaries

 

The Secret Team: The CIA and Its Allies in Control of the United States and the World 2nd Edition, Kindle Edition

 Live Updates: Trump rally shooting investigation continues as new details emerge about assassination attempt CBS News Report

Rally Shooting Investigation continues as new details emerge about assassination attempt

By Nicole Sganga, Sarah Lynch BaldwinKerry Breen, Anna Schecter

 July 17, 2024  CBS News

An investigation is continuing into the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, who appeared at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee for a second time on Tuesday night with his ear still bandaged and with increased security evident around him.

The gunman's motive in the Saturday attack on the president remains unclear four days after he opened fire at Trump's campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania — injuring Trump and two others, and killing a rallygoer

The U.S. Secret Service is facing mounting questions about the security flaws that allowed the shooter to fire from a rooftop near the rally.

Cellphone video taken Saturday shows rally attendees pointing toward the shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, and trying to alert authorities to his presence — a full two minutes before the 20-year-old opened fire.

Details about the moments before the shooting are emerging. A sniper from a local tactical team deployed to assist the U.S. Secret Service at the rally took a picture of the gunman and saw him looking through a rangefinder minutes before he tried to assassinate the former president, a local law enforcement officer with direct knowledge of the events told CBS News. 

The sniper was one of three members of local tactical teams who were stationed inside the building that the shooter used in the attack, the officer said. The operations plan had them stationed inside, looking out windows toward the rally, scanning the crowd. The details about the three snipers were first reported by the local news outlet BeaverCountian.com. 

A federal law enforcement bulletin obtained by CBS News identified the gunman as "an apparent lone attacker." The FBI is investigating whether he was a politically motivated homegrown domestic violent extremist.

The Department of Homeland Security's inspector general is opening an investigation into the rally's planning, and President Biden said he is directing an independent review of security and events at the rally to determine what went wrong.


Donald Trump doesn't have stitches, but a "nice flesh wound," Eric Trump says

Donald Trump's son Eric Trump said his father doesn't have stitches, but has a "nice flesh wound" after the shooting.

The former president's right ear was hit by gunfire, and when he appeared at the Republican National Convention on Monday and Tuesday, he wore a large bandage over the injury.

Speaking to "CBS Mornings" co-host Tony Dokoupil from the floor of the convention in Milwaukee Wednesday morning, Eric Trump said his father has referred to the injury as "the greatest earache he's ever had."

"You know, he was millimeters away from having his life expunged ... I'm sure the ear doesn't feel well," Eric Trump said.  

BY KERRY BREEN
 
9:20 AM

Federal law enforcement officials to brief Congress

Lawmakers in both chambers of Congress are set to receive briefings from federal law enforcement officials Wednesday afternoon, multiple sources familiar with the briefing told CBS News.

The House and Senate will receive briefings from the Justice Department, U.S. Secret Service and FBI officials over the phone, with lawmakers away from Washington this week.

The separate briefings come amid an outcry of condemnation for the attack from members of Congress, along with plans to investigate the incident.

House Speaker Mike Johnson said at the Republican National Convention on Tuesday night that the House would conduct an "immediate and thorough investigation."

"The American people deserve to know the truth and we will ensure accountability," Johnson said.  

BY KAIA HUBBARD
 
8:58 AM

Gun range president where shooter was member: "We know very little about him"

Through his family, the gunman was a member of the Clairton Sportsmen's Club, a shooting range about 11 miles east of his hometown, Bethel Park. The club has an outdoor range for high-powered rifles with targets set at distances of up to about 560 feet.

"We know very little about him," club president Bill Sellitto told The Associated Press. "That was a terrible, terrible thing that happened Saturday — that's not what we're about by any means."

The gunman fired from the roof of a building about 410 feet from the main rally stage. The building was just outside the bounds of a security perimeter established on the property, CBS News previously reported.

— CBS/AP

7:43 AM

Homeland Security inspector general probing rally planning

The Department of Homeland Security's inspector general is opening an investigation into the planning of the rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. 

The investigation is listed on the inspector general's office's website as an "ongoing project" that aims to evaluate the U.S. Secret Service's process for securing the event.

The investigation is separate from one President Biden announced on Sunday, when he said he is directing an independent review of the security and events at the rally to determine what went wrong. 

BY NICOLE SGANGA
 
 6:44 AM

Security experts question why building wasn't secured

The gunman who opened fire on former President Donald Trump was on the roof of a building about 410 feet from the stage where he was addressing the crowd. Security experts questioned why the building hadn't been included in the security perimeter set up for the rally by the Secret Service.

Patrick Brosnan, a former New York Police Department detective who runs a national private intelligence and security firm that has protected heads of state, told The Associated Press that a building that close to the stage should have been secured and under surveillance from the start.

"It would just seem to me to be elemental and rudimentary as it relates to providing a steel band or circular band of protection for the former president, who is fully exposed," said Brosnan, who has trained with the Secret Service and spoken in the past to Trump and his family about security issues.

Stan Kephart, a former police chief who worked event security for two former presidents, called the situation "an absolute and abysmal failure" on the part of the Secret Service to protect Trump. The agency is ultimately responsible for the candidate's safety, he noted.

"You don't get to blame other people. They are under your control," said Kephart.

Moments after the gunman opened fire, he was shot and killed by a Secret Service sniper positioned on a rooftop behind the stage.

Map shows location of the shooting site at Trump rally
This image shows the location of the shooting site, about 400 feet from the stage, at a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024.GOOGLE EARTH/CBS NEWS

–CBS/AP

4:36 AM

Huckabee Sanders: "God Almighty intervened" in Trump shooting

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who was White House press secretary for most of the Trump administration, invoked the divine during her address to the Republican National Convention on its second night Tuesday.

Speaking about Trump surviving Saturday's assassination attempt, Sanders said, "not even an assassin's bullet could stop him," adding, "God Almighty intervened because America is one nation under God and he is certainly not finished with President Trump." That drew loud applause.

Sarah Huckabee Sanders says "not even an assassin's bullet could stop" Trump in RNC speech
BY BRIAN DAKSS
 
2:22 AM

Iran denies any involvement in Trump shooting

Iran on Wednesday rejected what it called "malicious" accusations by U.S. media implicating it in Saturday's attempt to kill former President Donald Trump.

Tehran "strongly rejects any involvement in the recent armed attack against Trump," foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani said, while Iran's mission to the United Nations called accusations of a previous plot to kill the former president "unsubstantiated and malicious."

U.S. intelligence recently detected an Iranian plot against Trump, and the information was shared with the Secret Service before Saturday's event in Pennsylvania, two U.S. officials confirmed to CBS News on Tuesday.

The National Security Council said it's been tracking Iranian threats against the former president for years, though no ties have been identified between Saturday's shooting and a foreign actor. –CBS/AFP 

11:42 PM

Oversight Committee chair to subpoena Secret Service director

The House Oversight and Accountability Committee's chairman plans to subpoena Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle for testimony on the assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump, a spokeswoman for the panel said Tuesday.

Cheatle is set to appear before committee members for an oversight hearing on July 22, Chairman James Comer, a Kentucky Republican, announced Monday. While the Secret Service also agreed to brief lawmakers on Tuesday, the panel's spokeswoman said, the Department of Homeland Security "took over communications" with the committee and has not confirmed a time for the briefing.

Cheatle's job at the helm of the Secret Service has come under scrutiny following the shooting at Trump's rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. One spectator, firefighter Corey Comperatore, was killed in the attack and two others, Marine Corps veteran David Dutch and James Copenhaver, were wounded.

The head of the House Homeland Security Panel, Rep. Mark Green, also invited Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, FBI Director Chris Wray and Cheatle to testify before lawmakers on July 23.  

Read more here

BY MELISSA QUINN
 
10:43 PM

New details about the moments leading up to attempted assassination

CBS News analysis of video from the scene shows that two minutes lapsed between the first warnings about a man with a gun at the Trump rally and the first shot being fired. CBS News' Charlie De Mar and Nicole Sganga break down the details in the video below.

 
New details on moments leading up to Trump assassination attempt
 
 9:41 PM

House Speaker Johnson promises "thorough investigation" of assassination attempt

House Speaker Mike Johnson assured supporters on the second night of the Republican National Convention that the House would conduct an "immediate and thorough investigation" of the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.

"Everyone, hear me clearly and listen to me at home, and make no mistake: The House is conducting an immediate and thorough investigation of these tragic events," Johnson told the crowd gathered in Milwaukee. "That work has already begun. The American people deserve to know the truth, and we will ensure accountability." 

Referring to the Republican Party as a "law and order team," Johnson said the rule of law in the country was in "serious jeopardy."

"We've come to a moment in America where the basic things that we once took for granted are being openly challenged like never before," Johnson said. "We're now in the midst of a struggle between two completely different visions of who we are as Americans and what our country will be."

BY S. DEV 
 
 8:56 PM

Pennsylvania man who died during rally will receive public procession on Thursday

Corey Comperatore, the retired fire chief who was killed on Saturday at the Trump rally, will receive a public procession on Thursday.

The public will be able to attend the procession through Freeport Community Park in Freeport, Pennsylvania, which will be followed by a public visitation and, later, a private funeral.

At a security meeting on Tuesday, law enforcement officials said they expect a line out the door.

"At the end of the day I think we need to remember Corey," Butler County Sheriff Michael Slupe said about the 50-year-old former firefighter who died while shielding his family from gunfire.

Comperatore's jacket still hangs outside the Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Hall, where he volunteered for decades and where former colleagues are now honoring and remembering him for his dedication to his family and community.

Read more here.

BY MEGHAN SCHILLER
 
8:36 PM

Eric Trump calls failures that led up to assassination attempt "infuriating"

Former President Trump's second son, Eric Trump, called the failures that led up to the assassination attempt against his father "infuriating."

Eric Trump spoke with "CBS Evening News" anchor and managing editor Norah O'Donnell on Tuesday about his father's recovery, security going forward and the future of the campaign.

The former president was dealing with "the greatest earache in the history of earaches," his son said.

"You see the picture, right? The famous New York Times picture now, where you literally see the vapor trail of the bullet coming out of the backside of his ear," Eric Trump said. "It's hard to believe it could've been so much different. I can't even imagine what that would've meant for this country."

Eric Trump also said it was "infuriating" that snipers and rally attendees spotted the shooter as early as 26 minutes before the first shots were fired.

Read more here.

BY JORDAN FREIMAN
 
7:53 PM / JULY 16, 2024

Friends describe Marine veteran wounded at rally as "wonderful" and "supportive"

Friends of David Dutch, the Marine veteran who was one of two people critically wounded at Saturday's campaign rally, described him as "wonderful" and "supportive."

Dutch, 57, of New Kensington, Pennsylvania, was airlifted to Allegheny General Hospital after being shot at the rally.

"No one knows him by David. We all know him by Jake," Dee Rakar told CBS Pittsburgh's KDKA station. "He's a wonderful person, loves his gun bashes, and he likes his gambling."

Rakar, who like Dutch is a member of the veterans group the American Legion, described Dutch as a dedicated Marine veteran who loves his country and often visited the legion's post in Lower Burrell, Pennsylvania, with his wife.

Read more here.

BY ASHLEY PORTILLO
 
 7:33 PM / JULY 16, 2024

Butler County employees facing threats and harassment after rally shooting, official says

Butler County employees are facing threats and harassment following Saturday's assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump, according to a town official.

"It's frustrating and it's sad because the city employees had nothing to do with what happened at the farm show grounds," Butler Councilman Donald Shearer told CBS Pittsburgh station KDKA.

Workers say they are facing hostile emails and threats blaming them for what happened in the small town of just about 13,000 people.

Read more here.

BY BARRY PINTAR
 
6:50 PM / JULY 16, 2024

Biden says it's time to ban AR-15-style rifles after Trump rally shooting

President Biden, speaking at the NAACP National Convention in Las Vegas on Tuesday, once again condemned the violence that took place on Saturday and called to ban the type of weapon involved in the assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump.

After noting that an AR-15-style rifle was used in the shooting, Mr. Biden said it was time to outlaw the weapons. "I did it once, and I will do it again," he said, in reference to his support for the 10-year assault weapons ban passed by Congress in 1994.

"We're grateful he was not seriously injured," Mr. Biden said about Trump. "We continue to pray for him and his family."

Mr. Biden said it was a "tense moment" for the country and that it's time for an important national conversation. "Our politics has gotten too heated," he said, echoing his Oval Office address on Sunday. He said that "we all have a responsibility to lower the temperature and condemn violence in any form." 

"We gotta remember, in America, we're not enemies, we're friends. We're neighbors," the president said. "We have to say with one voice that violence is not the answer. That's what we should rally around as a nation. That's the unity I'm talking about."

BY KRISTIN BROWN
 
6:19 PM / JULY 16, 2024

Hospital director describes emergency response to Trump rally shooting

Allegheny Health Network's medical director said he was at a birthday party on Saturday when he started receiving calls and texts to come to the hospital.

"We didn't know what the situation was going to be," Dr. Brent Rau, the network's director, told CBS Pittsburgh station KDKA. "We were told that there were shots fired and there could be multiple casualties."

Medics from AHN were already in Butler, Pennsylvania, to treat tactical teams for potential injuries, but they quickly shifted gear when bullets started flying at the rally.

Within minutes of the shooting, two helicopters arrived at the Butler Farm Show grounds where the rally was being held. The choppers took the two wounded victims to Allegheny General Hospital more than 30 miles away, where they are still recovering.

BY CHRIS HOFFMAN 
 
 5:46 PM / JULY 16, 2024

Increase in Trump's security detail last month was connected to Iranian threats, official says

The bolstering of former President Donald Trump's Secret Service assets in June was connected to Iranian threats, an official familiar with the situation confirmed to CBS News on Tuesday.

CBS News has learned the intelligence goes beyond chatter and involves human source intelligence obtained by the U.S.

CBS News previously reported that, according to multiple law enforcement officials, the Secret Service bolstered Trump's security in June after several requests from his detail for more assets.

Additional resources – including Counter Assault Team personnel, counter sniper team personnel, drones and robotic dogs – were provided. Some of these resources came from the Candidate Nominee Operations Section of the Secret Service. 

Read more here.

—Nicole Sganga contributed reporting.

BY ANDRES TRIAY
 
 5:27 PM / JULY 16, 2024

Family of wounded victim thanks responders and hospital staff, offers prayers for Trump

The family of 74-year-old James Copenhaver, one of the two people critically wounded in the rally shooting, thanked people on Tuesday for the outpouring of support. 

"Jim would like to especially thank the first responders, medics, and hospital staff who have provided him with initial and continuing care," the Copenhaver family said in a statement. "Additionally, Jim would like to express his thoughts and prayers for the other victims, their families, and President Trump. He prays for a safe and speedy recovery for them all."

James Copenhaver of Moon Township, Pennsylvania, and 57-year-old David Dutch, of New Kensington, Pennsylvania, were both hospitalized in critical but stable condition at Allegheny General Hospital after being shot at the rally. 

Copenhaver's family asked the news media, the public and friends to respect the family's privacy as Copenhaver and his family recover from what they called "this horrible, senseless, and unnecessary act of violence."

As of Tuesday afternoon, he remained in critical but stable condition, according to the Allegheny Health Network.

BY S. DEV
 
 4:58 PM / JULY 16, 2024

Butler County sheriff says officers upset they couldn't stop Trump rally attack

Butler County Sheriff Michael Slupe says he and other law enforcement officers were upset they couldn't stop the shooting.

Slupe told CBS Pittsburgh station KDKA's Andy Sheehan that he was happy to be at former President Donald Trump's rally on Saturday as both a law enforcement officer and a supporter.

"I was lucky enough to be in uniform as a sheriff and as a guest," Slupe said in an interview Monday. "I was sitting in the second row behind the bike rack, just feet from the catwalk where the president would come up."

When the shooting started, Slupe initially thought fireworks were going off. Police earlier that day had responded to reports of fireworks. "In my mind, I'm thinking, 'What idiot is out here shooting fireworks?'" Slupe recalled.

But shortly after the attack and the ensuing panic, Slupe was on his radio calling for medics and an ambulance. 

"I think every law enforcement officer that was on scene, and probably those that weren't, are upset … that we couldn't have stopped this prior to this happening," Slupe said. "I love President Trump. I'm a huge supporter."

Slupe said he thought there were enough law enforcement officers at the rally, and he defended the actions of those at the scene. "There's going to be plenty of investigations. There's going to be plenty of finger pointing," Slupe said. "But at the end of the day, I know my deputies did a great job. The police did a great job."

He added, "At the end of the day, we're all going to learn something from this."

BY S. DEV
 
3:27 PM / JULY 16, 2024

U.S. intelligence recently detected Iranian plot against Trump, officials say

U.S. intelligence recently detected an Iranian plot against former President Donald Trump, and the information was shared with the Secret Service before Saturday's event in Pennsylvania, two U.S. officials confirmed to CBS News on Tuesday.

The National Security Council said it has been tracking Iranian threats against the former president for years, though no ties have been identified between Saturday's shooting and a foreign actor.

In response to the intelligence, the Secret Service said it is constantly receiving new information about potential threats, but wouldn't comment on specific threats.

"The Secret Service and other agencies are constantly receiving new potential threat information and taking action to adjust resources, as needed," Anthony Guglielmi, U.S. Secret Service Chief of Communication, said on Tuesday.

After learning of the increased threat from Iran, the NSC directly contacted the Secret Service at a senior level to make sure the agency continued to track the latest reporting, an official said. The Secret Service shared the information with Trump's security detail, and the Trump campaign was made aware of an evolving threat. 

In response, the Secret Service had increased resources and assets for the protection of Trump before Saturday, the official said. 

"These threats arise from Iran's desire to seek revenge for the killing of Qassem Soleimani," NSC spokesperson Adrienne Watson said. 

Trump ordered the killing of Soleimani, a prominent Iranian military commander, in early 2020. The former president took a hardline approach to Iran during his administration and withdrew from the nuclear deal brokered with Iran under the Obama administration. 

"We consider this a national and homeland security matter of the highest priority," Watson said, adding, "At this time, law enforcement has reported that their investigation has not identified ties between the shooter and any accomplice or co-conspirator, foreign or domestic." 

A Trump campaign spokesperson declined to comment on the former president's security detail.

—Nicole Sganga and Fin Gómez contributed reporting.

BY ANDRES TRIAY
 
 2:13 PM / JULY 16, 2024

Trump and JD Vance to hold rally in Michigan on Saturday

Trump and his newly-announced vice-presidential running mate, JD Vance, will hold a rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on July 20, one week after an attempt on the former president's life.

In an announcement, the Trump campaign did not mention the shooting, but said it would be the pair's first appearance since officially accepting the Republican nomination for president and vice president.

Both are expected to speak at the rally, which is scheduled to be held at the Van Andel Arena at 5 p.m. ET. 

BY KERRY BREEN
 
 1:39 PM / JULY 16, 2024

Sniper took picture of Trump rally shooter before attack, source says

A sniper from a local tactical team deployed to assist the U.S. Secret Service at Trump's rally took a picture of the gunman and saw him looking through a rangefinder minutes before he tried to assassinate the former president, a local law enforcement officer with direct knowledge of the events told CBS News.

The sniper was one of three snipers, members of local tactical teams, who were stationed inside the building that the shooter used in the attack, the officer said. The operations plan had them stationed inside, looking out windows toward the rally, scanning the crowd. The details about the three snipers were first reported by the local news outlet BeaverCountian.com.

One sniper inside spotted the gunman outside and looking up at the roof, observing the building and disappearing, according to the officer who spoke to CBS News. The sniper observed the gunman as he returned to the building, sat down and looked at his phone. At that point, one of the local snipers took a picture of him.

Next, the local sniper observed the gunman looking through a rangefinder, an instrument routinely used by marksmen to determine the distance of a target, and he immediately radioed to the command post, according to the local law enforcement officer. The local sniper also attempted to send the photo of the gunman up the chain of command.

Read more here.  

–Nicole Sganga and Anna Schecter

 
  1:34 PM / JULY 16, 2024

Increased security expected at U.S. Capitol, but no credible threats to members, Senate Sergeant at Arms says

There are "no specific or credible threats" to the U.S. Capitol or its members after the attempted assassination, according to a notice from the Senate Sergeant of Arms reviewed by CBS News. 

The notice cautioned that there will be a "higher than normal Capitol Police presence" in the upcoming weeks, including "increased K-9 sweeps, security checks and other proactive security measures." 

BY NIKOLE KILLION
 
 12:15 PM / JULY 16, 2024

FBI, Secret Service, Homeland Security heads asked to testify

House Homeland Security Committee Chair Mark Green, a Republican from Tennessee, has invited multiple officials to testify in an oversight committee hearing examining the assassination attempt on Trump.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, FBI director Christopher Wray and Secret Service director Kimberly Cheatle have all been invited to testify before the committee on July 23.

"It is imperative that we partner to understand what went wrong, and how Congress can work with the departments and agencies to ensure this never happens again," Green said in a statement. "Successful oversight requires Congress to work together with these officials as they testify publicly before the House Committee on Homeland Security. The American people, and the individuals and families who receive protective services, deserve nothing less."

Green previously sent a letter to Mayorkas demanding the security plan for the site of Trump's rally, communications related to protective resources on Trump's security detail, and briefing materials used to tell President Biden about the assassination attempt.  

BY KERRY BREEN
 
 11:42 AM / JULY 16, 2024

Shooter bought a ladder before Trump rally

Two law enforcement sources told CBS News the shooter purchased a ladder at Home Depot prior to the shooting, but it is unclear if he brought the ladder to the rally venue on Saturday. This was first reported by CNN.

Home Depot said in a statement, "we condemn the violence against former President Trump, and our thoughts are with him, the other victims of Saturday's horrific events, and their families."

—Nicole Sganga and Adam Yamaguchi

 
 
 11:28 AM / JULY 16, 2024

Neighbors of Trump rally shooter react to investigation

Authorities have searched the home of the man who tried to assassinate former President Donald Trump – putting a small town in Pennsylvania in the spotlight of the investigation. 

One anonymous neighbor told CBS News Pittsburgh that he had to disconnect his phone after receiving 100 calls from around the world related to the shooting, which killed a rally attendee and injured Trump and two others.

A person was seen walking a suitcase into the shooter's home on Monday night. The person did not respond to media questions, and could not be immediately identified, CBS News Pittsburgh reported.

Some neighbors recalled interactions with the gunman and his family. 

"I had a really pleasant conversation with them," said Alleghany County councilman Dan Grzybek, who lives on the same street as the shooter and visited the home while campaigning. "I got the perception they were nice people." 

Grzybek said he fears the shooter's actions will "result in further political violence." 

"I think people are worried that conspiracy theorists are going to come to the area and do something not particularly smart," he said.

Read more here.

BY KERRY BREEN
 
 11:10 AM / JULY 16, 2024

Cellphone video shows security failures

Cellphone video taken Saturday shows rally attendees pointing toward the shooter and trying to alert authorities to his presence — a full two minutes before the 20-year-old fired at Trump.

Less than 15 seconds before the shots, people are seen running away from the area. Moments later, some in the crowd begin shouting that the man on the roof has a gun.

The gunman killed Corey Comperatore, a firefighter. He also wounded two others aside from Trump: 57-year-old Marine Corps veteran David Dutch and 74-year-old James Copenhaver.

Seconds later, a Secret Service counter sniper fatally shot Crooks.

 
Investigation into Trump rally shooting continues as cellphone video shows security flaws

Read more here.

BY CHARLIE DE MAR
 
 10:33 AM / JULY 16, 2024

FBI conducts nearly 100 interviews

The FBI said it had conducted nearly 100 interviews of law enforcement officials, attendees at the rally and other witnesses as of Monday afternoon, as it investigates the attack as a potential act of domestic terrorism.

It has also received hundreds of digital media tips, according to a press release, but has not identified a clear ideological motive.

The FBI believes the shooter — who was not previously known to the FBI — acted alone, with a gun that was purchased by his father.

Searches of the shooter's home and vehicle are complete, according to the FBI, and authorities are analyzing his electronic devices. 

 
10:30 AM / JULY 16, 2024

Shooting followed "absolute and abysmal failure," expert says

A former police chief who worked event security for two former presidents said the shooting followed an "an absolute and abysmal failure" on the part of the Secret Service to protect Trump. The agency is ultimately responsible for the candidate's safety, said Stan Kephart.

"You don't get to blame other people," said Kephart, who is now a consulting expert on law enforcement event security. "They are under your control."

At least a dozen police officers and sheriff's deputies were assisting the U.S. Secret Service and Pennsylvania State Police with rally security.

BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
 
10:23 AM / JULY 16, 2024

Biden says he shouldn't have said "bullseye" when referring to Trump

President Biden said in an interview with NBC News' Lester Holt that he should not have used the word "bullseye" when referring to how his campaign should treat Trump, but still wants to put the focus squarely on his opponent's record and rhetoric heading into November.

"I was talking about focus on, look, the truth of the matter was, what I guess I was talking about at the time was, there was very little focus on Trump's agenda," Mr. Biden said Monday.

"It was a mistake to use the word," the president said, but added, "I meant focus on him. Focus on what he's doing."

"I'm not the guy that said, I want to be a dictator on day one. I'm not the guy that refused to accept the outcome of the election. I'm not the guy who said they won't accept the outcome of this election automatically," Mr. Biden said. "You can't only love your country when you win. And so, the focus was on what he's saying and the idea."

Asked if he had done any "soul searching" about his rhetoric, Mr. Biden said, "How do you talk about the threat to democracy, which is real, when a president says things like he says? Do you just not say anything, because it may incite somebody?" 

"I've not engaged in that rhetoric," Mr. Biden insisted. "Now, my opponent is engaged in that rhetoric. He talks about, there'll be a bloodbath if he loses. Talking about how he's going to forgive all the ... I guess suspend the sentence of all those who were arrested and sentenced to go to jail because of what happened in the Capitol."

Read more here.

BY JORDAN FREIMAN
 
8:17 AM / JULY 16, 2024

Sniper who took out gunman fired one round

The Secret Service sniper who neutralized the gunman fired one round and was assisted by a spotter, according to two federal law enforcement officials with knowledge of the response to the shooting.

The sniper who took out the gunman was located on the roof behind and to Trump's to his left — the square furthest to the right in the below map.

Map shows location of the shooting site at Trump rally
This image shows the location of the shooting site, about 400 feet from the stage, at a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024.GOOGLE EARTH/CBS NEWS
BY NICOLE SGANGA
 
 8:18 AM / JULY 16, 2024

FBI continues looking into Trump shooter's background

The man who attempted to assassinate Trump purchased 50 rounds of ammunition from a gun store in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, before arriving at the rally site, according to a law enforcement bulletin from the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI obtained by CBS News.

The FBI is investigating whether the shooter "was motivated by a violent extremist ideology or had any association with additional plotters or co-conspirators."

Investigators found three suspected improvised explosive devices after the shooting, including two in the shooter's vehicle parked near the rally site, the bulletin reads.

Both agencies advised law enforcement about the potential for retaliatory acts of violence following Saturday's shooting given the online threats of violence after the attempt on Trump's life.

"Some individuals' reactions to politically and socially divisive topics have prompted violence ... and some individuals - including some (Domestic Violent Extremists) - potentially will view political and social tensions as an opportunity to use or promote violence to further their ideological goals," the bulletin reads.

BY JOE RUIZ
 
8:23 AM / JULY 16, 2024

Source: Bomb-making material found in shooter's home, vehicle

A law enforcement source confirmed that authorities found rudimentary bomb-making material at the gunman's residence and in his vehicle. The FBI is analyzing the devices at Quantico.  

BY PAT MILTON
 
 8:19 AM / JULY 16, 2024

Trump says assassination attempt had "impact"

The attempted assassination on former President Donald Trump had "an impact," he told ABC News on Monday.

Trump was asked by ABC News' Jonathan Karl if the attempt on his life had changed him.

"I don't like to think about that, but, yes, I think has an impact," he said, adding that he hoped the bandage on his ear would be removed by the time he speaks on Thursday to the Republican National Convention.

BY JOE RUIZ 

Trump Rally Shooting

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Nicole Sganga is a CBS News reporter covering homeland security and justice.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/timeline-trump-rally-shooting/ 

https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/trump-rally-shooting-investigation/ 

https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/trump-rally-shooting-investigation/ 

 
The Secret Team, L. Fletcher Prouty's CIA exposé, was first published in the 1970s, but virtually all copies of the book disappeared upon distribution, purchased en masse by shady "private buyers." Certainly Prouty's amazing allegations—that the U-2 Crisis of 1960 was fixed to sabotage Eisenhower-Khrushchev talks, and that President Kennedy was assassinated to keep the U.S., and its defense budget, in Vietnam—cannot have pleased the CIA. Though suppressed (until now), The Secret Team was an important influence for Oliver Stone's Academy Award-winning film JFK and countless other works on U.S. government conspiracies, and it raises the same crucial question today that it did on its first appearance: who, in

L. Fletcher Prouty profile image

L Fletcher Prouty

About the author

L. Fletcher Prouty (1917–2001), a retired colonel of the U.S. Air Force, served as the chief of special operations for the Joint Chiefs of Staff during the Kennedy years. He was directly in charge of the global system designed to provide military support for the clandestine activities of the CIA. He was the author of JFK: The CIA, Vietnam, and the Plot to Assassinate John F. Kennedy and The Secret Team: The CIA and Its Allies.

This article is more than 23 years old
US officer obsessed by the conspiracy theory of President Kennedy's assassination
 

It is appropriate that Fletcher Prouty, who has died of organ failure following stomach surgery at the age of 84, will best be remembered as the model for the mysterious Colonel X, played by Donald Sutherland, in Oliver Stone's film JFK.

Prouty, who believed the assassination of President John F Kennedy was a coup d'état perpetrated by elements of the United States military and intelligence communities, was a career military man who spent a decade liaising between the Pentagon and the CIA. After leaving the US Air Force (USAF), he became an outspoken critic of the intelligence establishment, although by the time JFK was filmed, he had been relegated to the fringes along with countless other conspiracy crackpots.

When asked why he did not use Prouty's name in the film, Stone said: "Because the man does not want to be known, he doesn't want to be traced." Yet his identity was common knowledge. It seemed that the shadowy image of the figure Sutherland portrayed, instructing the naive New Orleans attorney Jim Garrison (Kevin Costner), was one Prouty was proud to fit.

As a young man in Massachusetts, his early ambition to become a singer was interrupted by the second world war. He served, first, as an army tank commander, and then as a transport pilot. His CV shows him providing VIP transport for the key allied conferences in Cairo and Tehran, as well as evacuating a Guns of Navarone-style commando team from Turkey. He claimed to have flown in the first overt cold-war mission, rescuing Nazi intelligence officers from the Balkans at the bequest of the Office of Strategic Services, forerunner of the CIA, in 1944.

In 1955, Prouty was assigned to coordinate operations between the USAF and the CIA, and remained in intelligence duties until retiring in 1964 to join an aircraft company. He later worked in banking and public relations, while writing on intelligence topics and the assassination of Kennedy.

His 1973 book, The Secret Team, was reviewed seriously. In it, Prouty called the CIA, and the cold war, a cover story, which had allowed elements of the military and intelligence community to work on behalf of the interests of a "high cabal" of industrialists and bankers. It found a ready audience in the atmosphere of Watergate and the Pentagon Papers, and, in the light of Iran-Contra and CIA drug-running controversies, many of its revelations have been confirmed.

A mass-market paperback was published by Ballantine in 1974, but the book immediately became hard to find. Prouty believed it was "disappeared"; at any rate, copies remain collectors' items.

Kennedy assassination, characterising the events in Dallas as a way of thwarting the US president's plans to take control of the CIA after the Bay of Pigs fiasco.

General Edward Lansdale was in charge of Operation Mongoose, aimed at overthrowing Fidel Castro. As General Y in the JFK film, he assigns Prouty to a South Pole trip, to remove him from the Pentagon at the time of the assassination. Prouty later claimed that Lansdale was in Dallas - and visible as a passer-by in the famous "tramps" photograph - on the day Kennedy was killed. "He was there like the orchestra leader, coordinating these things," he said.

In 1986, Prouty's book-length manuscript, The Role Of Intelligence In The Cold War, appeared as a series in a magazine called Freedom, published by the church of Scientology. Like other assassination critics, he found an outlet via the Liberty Lobby, a far-right organisation with ties to Holocaust deniers.

Although Prouty himself never espoused such beliefs, the connection enabled critics to dismiss his later writings. He helped them by publishing articles that made easy targets, such as his revelation that, according to President Franklin Roosevelt's son, Kermit, himself an OSS/CIA man, Stalin believed "the Churchill cabal" had poisoned Roosevelt, and his widow, Eleanor, had kept his coffin closed to stop anyone finding out.

Following the release of JFK, Prouty's book, JFK, The CIA, Vietnam, And The Plot To Assassinate John F Kennedy, was published by the small, independent Birch Lane Press. He remained active, via his own website, until his death, and is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, and three children.

 Leroy Fletcher Prouty, Jr, soldier and author, born January 24 1917; died June 5 2001

map.

Body of gunman in Trump assassination attempt

Retired Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)  agent Jim Cavanaugh said he was surprised the gunman was able to occupy a  raised position within rifle range of the rally site.

Mr  Cavanaugh said: "Whenever I've been with them, every single high ground  is taken by them or the local SWAT police. There's nobody allowed  walking on rooftops. They command the high ground."

He said a  high-powered rifle like an AR-15 can hit targets 600ft (182m) away and  Mr Trump was about 444ft (135m) from the rooftop where the gunman was  found dead, NBC News said, based on an analysis of Google Earth images.

Mr Cavanaugh said: "Having been on Secret Service details, it's  amazing to me that somebody was on an elevated position that they didn't  know about."

But Pennsylvania State Police Lieutenant Colonel  George Bivens defended those in charge of security, calling it  "incredibly difficult to have a venue open to the public and to secure  that against any possible threat against a very determined attacker.  That's a huge lift".

The Secret Service did not immediately respond to a request for comment on its role, NBC said.

But a spokesman for the service has denied online reports that it refused requests from the Trump campaign for greater security.

Spokesperson  Anthony Guglielmi said in a statement on the X social media platform on  Sunday: "There's an untrue assertion that a member of the former  president's team requested additional security resources and that those  were rebuffed.

"This is absolutely false. In fact, we added  protective resources & technology & capabilities as part of the  increased campaign travel tempo".

FBI special agent Kevin Rojek told reporters law enforcement  was not aware there was a man on the rooftop until he started firing,  and said it was "surprising" how many shots the gunman managed to fire.

Trump  supporters in the front row of the rally heard a series of pops and saw  Secret Service agents jump on the stage as Mr Trump, the presumptive  Republican candidate in November's presidential election, ducked.

Mr Trump said in a post on his Truth Social site a couple of hours later that a bullet "pierced the upper part of my right ear.

"I  knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing  sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin.  Much bleeding took place, so I realised then what was happening."

Former  Secret Service agent Evy Poumpouras, who has protected multiple  presidents, including Barack Obama and George W Bush, said it is  impossible to eliminate every potential threat at a rally.

Donald Trump arrives for Republican National Convention

Donald Trump arrives for Republican National Convention

Trump Shooting Round Up Videos

NBC Nightly News Full Broadcast - July 14 - Donald Trump Shooting Roundup

NBC Nightly News Full Broadcast - July 14 - Donald Trump Shooting Roundup

Witnesses recount the moment gunman fired toward Trump; New details on shooter behind Trump attempted assassination; Victims of attempted assassination at Trump rally identified; and more on tonight’s broadcast.

Trump Shooting News LIVE: FBI Identifies Trump Rally Shooter; Motive Behind Attack Remains Unclear

Trump Shooting News LIVE: FBI Identifies Trump Rally Shooter; Motive Behind Attack Remains Unclear

Latest updates on Trump rally shooting investigation after portrait of suspected gunman emerges -

Latest updates on Trump rally shooting investigation after portrait of suspected gunman emerges -

The FBI identified Thomas Matthew Crooks, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, as the suspect in a deadly shooting at a campaign rally for Donald Trump.

Donald Trump Shooting Videos

What we know about the Trump rally gunman so far What we know about the Trump rally gunman so far CNN

What we know about the Trump rally gunman so far  What we know about the Trump rally gunman so far CNN 

CNN's Danny Freeman breaks down what investigators have uncovered about Thomas Matthew Crooks, the 20-year-old who authorities say tried to assassinate former President Donald Trump during his Pennsylvania rally. #CNN #News

Reporter describes what Trump told her in his first interview after shooting

Reporter describes what Trump told her in his first interview after shooting 

Washington Examiner reporter Salena Zito joins CNN’s Abby Phillip to discuss her interview with former President Donald Trump the day after he survived an assassination attempt. 

Trump shooting: the security failures that let gunman mount assassination attempt | BBC News -

Trump shooting: the security failures that let gunman mount assassination attempt | BBC News 

The attempted assassination of Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania exposed a series of security lapses that allowed the gunman to mount his assassination attempt.  The gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks was able to access a roof around 130 meters from the podium where Mr Trump was speaking.  It’s the job of the US Secret Service to protect sitting and former presidents.  Somehow the gunman managed to breach the security perimeter with a rifle and reach an elevated position close to Mr Trump. 

Video of the attack and the accounts of eyewitnesses suggest that members of the crowd became aware of the threat before the police and other security officials and attempted to alert them to the danger    It was only when the gunman opened fire that officials recognised the danger and responded, with Thomas Crooks shot dead by armed officers.  Reeta Chakrabarti presents BBC News at Ten reporting by Gary O’Donoghue, Tom Bateman and Sarah Smith. 

New details on shooter behind Trump attempted assassination

New details on shooter behind Trump attempted assassination 

Officials are learning more about Thomas Matthew Crooks, the shooter in the assassination attempt on former President Trump. Officials said Crooks had no criminal record or military experience. In addition to a semi-automatic weapon on the scene, authorities found suspicious containers in his car. NBC News’ Shaquille Brewster reports.

Trump Shooting Videos

Timeline of Trump rally shooting shows witnesses alerted officers 2 minutes before gunfire - CBS News

Timeline of Trump rally shooting shows witnesses alerted officers 2 minutes before gunfire

By Maurice DuBois, S. Dev, Erielle Delzer, Joanne Stocker, Rhona Tarrant

July 15, 2024 CBS News

Despite the 90-degree heat, thousands descended on Pennsylvania's Butler Farm Show, which is a roughly 100-acre fairground used for agricultural exhibitions. They were excited to see former President Donald Trump, who had spoken at the site before.

Butler County voted overwhelmingly for Trump in 2020, so the crowd was expected to be as friendly as you'd find in the country.  

But things took a sudden, deadly turn, minutes after the former president and presumptive Republican nominee began speaking. 

Here's a timeline of the attempted assassination of Trump on Saturday, July 13.

6:03 p.m.: Trump takes the stage

Donald Trump took the stage at 6:03 p.m. local time and began speaking to the crowd. 

6:09 p.m.: People alert officers to the gunman

People alerted law enforcement to the gunman on the roof of a building about 410 feet away from the stage, at least two minutes before the first shot was fired at Trump, video analyzed by CBS News shows. 

The video provides insight into the chaotic minutes leading up to the attempted assassination of the former president and raises questions about the preparedness of law enforcement regarding the building.

"Look, they're all pointing. Someone's on top of the roof," a person says as at least one law enforcement officer walks around the building. "There he is, right there. Right there, see him? He's laying down." 

Another person appears to gesture to the officer, "He's on the roof … right here, right on the roof."

As one witness later described it, "We noticed a guy crawling, you know, bear-crawling up the roof of the building beside us, 50 feet away from us. ... So we're standing there, you know, we're pointing at the guy crawling up the roof." The witness added, "He had a rifle — we could clearly see him with a rifle."

Map shows location of the shooting site at Trump rally
This image shows the location of the shooting site, about 400 feet from the stage, at a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024.GOOGLE EARTH/CBS NEWS

Butler County Sheriff Michael Slupe said that shortly before the shooting, an armed officer tried to reach the gunman but had to fall back.

"All I know is the officer had both hands up on the roof to get up onto the roof," Slupe told CBS Pittsburgh station KDKA, but the officer never made it "because the shooter had turned towards the officer."

"And rightfully and smartfully, the officer let go," Slupe said. After that, the shooter turned his rifle back toward the rally, Slupe said. 

6:11:21 - 6:11:32 p.m.: An officer walks around the building; people spot the shooter and start to flee 

More videos show the chaotic moments before the shooting. Exactly 12 seconds before the first shot was fired, video shows an officer walking around the building. 

Another video, which begins at 6:11:28 p.m. — five seconds before the first shot is fired — shows people yelling that the man on the roof has a gun. It shows people running to flee the gunman. 

In yet another video, people are seen spotting the shooter at 6:11:29 p.m., exactly four seconds before he opens fire. It shows people yelling that the shooter is "right here."

Video also shows the Secret Service snipers behind Trump pointing their rifles in the direction of the shooter. One sniper appears to spot something about one second before the first shot rings out. 

6:11:33 p.m.: First shot fired

As Trump was talking about immigration, the first shot from the would-be assassin was fired. 

6:11:34 p.m.: Two more shots fired

The second and third shots from the sniper came one second later. All three shots came from Trump's right.

6:11:37 p.m.: More gunshots heard

Three seconds later, several rapid gunshots are heard. At least three more shots were fired, followed by what sounded like an outgoing shot, as the crowd erupted into screams.

Video recorded by a member of the audience shows Secret Service snipers appearing to aim in the direction of the gunman. A final shot is heard 15 seconds later.

The Secret Service sniper who neutralized the gunman fired one round and was assisted by a spotter, according to two federal law enforcement officials with knowledge of the response to the shooting. It was not immediately clear which of the shots heard in the video was the one that took out the gunman.

Secret Service agents surrounded Trump, who was grazed in the ear, as blood ran down his face. It took a minute and a half to get the former president off the stage. 

Donald Trump injured in shooting at campaign rally in Pennsylvania
Donald Trump is seen with blood on his face, surrounded by Secret Service agents, as he is taken off the stage after a shooting at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, July 13, 2024.

As Secret Service agents tried to hustle him into his waiting SUV, Trump defiantly raised his fist several times and seemed to say, "Fight." 

 

Some people in the crowd turned their attention to three others who'd been shot. The victims included 50-year-old Corey Comperatore — a firefighter, father and big fan of Donald Trump. He was shot in the head and killed.

"I asked Corey's wife if it would be OK for me to share that we spoke," Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said at a news conference the next day. "She said yes. She also asked that I share with all of you that Corey died a hero, that Corey dove on his family to protect them last night at this rally. Corey was the very best of us. May his memory be a blessing."

Two other people — David Dutch, 57, and James Copenhaver, 74 — were critically wounded. CBS News has learned one of the victims is in a medically-induced coma. 

Trump was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

8:13 p.m.: President Biden speaks out against violence

President Biden made a statement in Delaware, where he had been spending the weekend. 

"There's no place in America for this kind of violence," Mr. Biden said. "It's sick. It's sick. It's one of the reasons we have to unite this country. We cannot allow for this to be happening. We cannot be like this. We cannot condone this."

Afterward, Mr. Biden returned to the White House, where he was briefed on the assassination attempt. 

8:42 p.m.: Trump posts he's been shot in his ear

Trump wrote on Truth Social: "I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear. I knew immediately something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin. Much bleeding took place."

A short time later, he left the hospital, headed to the airport and flew to New Jersey.

1:20 a.m. Sunday: FBI identifies the gunman

Early Sunday morning, the FBI identified the gunman as Thomas Matthew Crooks. He was 20 years old and lived in Bethel, Pennsylvania, about 50 miles from the rally site. He graduated with an associate's degree in engineering science from a community college and worked at a nursing and rehabilitation center.  

So far, investigators say his motive is not known. They say he appears to have acted alone, and they have not found any clear indication of his intentions or threats in his social media accounts.

Investigators throughout the night and morning searched the suspect's home and car. They said they found suspicious devices in his home and vehicle that were rendered safe by bomb technicians.

Suspect in Trump rally shooting had explosive materials in vehicle, source says

A former classmate at Bethel Park High School told CBS News that Crooks tried out for the high school's rifle team but failed to make it. Jameson Myers described him as "a normal boy" and a "nice kid who never talked poorly of anyone," and added, "I never have thought him capable of anything I've seen him do in the last few days."

7:36 a.m.: Trump thanks people for their prayers 

Sunday morning, Trump posted a message on Truth Social thanking people for their thoughts and prayers, saying "it was God alone who prevented the unthinkable from happening."

"We will FEAR NOT, but instead remain resilient in our Faith and Defiant in the face of Wickedness," Trump wrote, saying he was praying for the recovery of the people who were killed and wounded in the shooting. 

"In this moment, it is more important than ever that we stand United, and show our True Character as Americans, remaining Strong and Determined, and not allowing Evil to Win," Trump wrote.

10:21 a.m.: Melania Trump calls the shooter "a monster"

Melania Trump also issued a statement on social media. 

"America, the fabric of our gentle nation is tattered, but our courage and common sense must ascend and bring us back together as one," the former first lady said.

She said that when she watched the "violent bullet" strike her husband, she realized that her life and that of the couple's son Barron was "on the brink of devastating change."

"A monster who recognized my husband as an inhuman political machine attempted to ring out Donald's passion – his laughter, ingenuity, love of music and inspiration," Melania wrote.

2:09 p.m.: Trump says he's going to Milwaukee

Trump confirmed on Truth Social that he was flying to Wisconsin as planned to attend the Republican National Convention, which kicks off Monday.

"Based on yesterday's terrible events, I was going to delay my trip to Wisconsin, and The Republican National Convention, by two days, but have just decided that I cannot allow a "shooter," or potential assassin, to force change to scheduling, or anything else," Trump wrote. 

"Therefore, I will be leaving for Milwaukee, as scheduled, at 3:30 P.M. TODAY," he added.

8 p.m.: Biden delivers Oval Office address

President Biden addressed the nation from the Oval Office Sunday evening.

"We can't allow this violence to be normalized," Mr. Biden said. "The political rhetoric in this country has gotten very heated. It's time to cool it down. We all have a responsibility to do that." 

He added that "politics must never be a literal battlefield, God forbid, a killing field." 

The president cited a number of violent political acts in recent years, including the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the Capitol, a foiled plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, the attack on the husband of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and the intimidation of election officials. 

"In America, we resolve our differences" at the ballot box, Mr. Biden said, "not with bullets."

The FBI says it has received more than 2,600 tips so far. Investigators are now working on that timeline in reverse, from the shooting and all the moments leading up to it, as they dissect the would-be assassin's life in the days and months prior to July 13.

4 p.m. Monday: Trump officially gets GOP presidential nomination

On Monday afternoon, the Republican Party officially nominated Trump to be its 2024 presidential nominee, marking the third time since 2016 that Trump has been nominated. He will formally accept the nomination in a speech at the Republican National Convention Thursday night. 

"The following candidate received the following votes: 2,387 votes for President Donald J. Trump. Let's make it official," House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana said, announcing that Trump "has been selected as the Republican Party nominee for president of the United States." 

In an interview on his way to Milwaukee for the convention Sunday night, Trump told the New York Post he was "supposed to be dead," describing the assassination attempt as "surreal." He said would have been killed if he hadn't tilted his head slightly to the right to read a chart on illegal immigrants while addressing the rally. 

"By luck or by God, many people are saying it's by God I'm still here," he said.

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Maurice DuBois

Maurice DuBois co-anchors CBS2 News at 5 and 11. He joined CBS in September 2004.

Birth name Leroy Fletcher Prouty
Born January 24, 1917
Springfield, Massachusetts, U.S.
Died June 5, 2001 (aged 84)
McLean, Virginia, U.S.
Buried
Allegiance United States
Service/branch United States Air Force
Years of service 1941–1964
Rank Colonel
Battles/wars World War II
Awards Legion of Merit
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Spouse(s) Elizabeth B. Prouty
Children David F. Prouty
Jane E. Prouty
Lauren M. Prouty
Signature
 

Leroy Fletcher Prouty (January 24, 1917 – June 5, 2001)[1] served as Chief of Special Operations for the Joint Chiefs of Staff under President John F. Kennedy. A colonel in the United States Air Force, he retired from military service to become a bank executive. He subsequently became a critic of U.S. foreign policy, particularly the covert activities of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), which he believed was working on behalf of a secret world elite.

Prouty's commentary on the Kennedy assassination circulated widely from the 1970s to 1990s, as a key source for conspiracy theories about it. He was the inspiration for the character "Mr. X" in Oliver Stone's film JFK

FBI & Secret Service Pressor for The Trump Rally Shooting: Assassination Attempt Investigation

FBI & Secret Service Pressor for The Trump Rally Shooting: Assassination Attempt Investigation  

Former Secret Service Agent speaks on deadly shooting at Trump rally

Former Secret Service Agent speaks on deadly shooting at Trump rally 

Federal investigators trying to learn more about Trump rally shooter

 Federal investigators trying to learn more about Trump rally shooter

Moment the Secret Service took down gunman in Trump shooting

Moment the Secret Service took down gunman in Trump shooting 

Secret Service snipers made a split-second decision to take down the gunman after he opened fire on the former president. ABC News' Martha Raddatz shows us how it unfolded in real-time.

Donald Trump Shooting Videos

Special Report: The Trump assassination attempt | ABC news

Special Report: 

The Trump assassination attempt | ABC news

Moment gunman opens fires at Donald Trump rally caught on video | BBC News 

Attacker at Donald Trump’s rally killed by US Secret Service sniper | BBC News

Trump rally shooter's motive still unclear as Biden urges calm

https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/trump-shooting-statement-joe-biden-updates/ 

By Caroline LintonGarrett BehannaAliza ChasanRobert LegareRobert CostaKathryn WatsonStefan BecketAlex SundbyNikole Killion, Jessica Kegu, Weijia JiangKaia HubbardJordan Freiman, Elizabeth Campbell, Madeleine MayLucia Suarez Sang

July 15, 2024  CBS News

Federal investigators are continuing to investigate the motive of the gunman who opened fire during former President Donald Trump's rally Saturdaygrazing the former president's ear, killing one bystander and critically wounding two others.

In an address from the Oval Office on Sunday night, President Biden said the shooter's motivations were still unclear, and urged Americans to reject politically motivated violence.

"There is no place in America for this kind of violence, for any violence, ever. Period. No exceptions. We can't allow this violence to become normalized," Mr. Biden said. "The political rhetoric in this country has gotten very heated. It's time to cool it down. We all have a responsibility to do that."

More details emerged Sunday about the shooter, identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, who was killed after he opened fire. Rudimentary bomb-making material was found at the gunman's home and in his vehicle. He was a member of a local gun club, and a former classmate said that he had tried out for the high school rifle team but didn't make it.

The FBI is investigating whether the shooter was a politically motivated homegrown domestic violent extremist, and investigators are still combing through his background. Justice Department officials told reporters that investigators have the shooter's phone and were examining it at the FBI lab in Quantico, Virginia.

Law enforcement sources said bystanders spotted the shooter with a rifle on a roof about 400 feet from where Trump was speaking in Butler, Pennsylvania, and reported his presence to authorities. The sheriff of Butler County said a local police officer was hoisted by another officer to look onto the roof. The shooter pointed his rifle toward the officer, who let go and fell off.

The shooter then turned toward the rally and fired six to eight rounds using an AR-style weapon. A Secret Service sniper soon shot and killed him. Trump was quickly whisked from the stage by armed agents, blood running down the side of his face.

Trump posted on his social media platform Truth Social on Sunday morning, saying it "was God alone who prevented the unthinkable from happening." 

Mr. Biden has ordered an independent review of the security at the rally to assess what took place, and said he directed the Secret Service to examine security measures for this week's Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, where Trump was formally named as the party's nominee Monday. Trump landed in the city Sunday evening.

Trump and Mr. Biden spoke Saturday night in what a White House official characterized as a "good, short and respectful" call.

 
  11:43 PM / JULY 15, 2024

Sniper who took out gunman fired one round

The Secret Service sniper who neutralized the gunman fired one round and was assisted by a spotter, according to two federal law enforcement officials with knowledge of the response to the shooting.

The sniper who took out the gunman was located on the roof behind and to Trump's to his left — the square farthest to the right in the below map.

Map shows location of the shooting site at Trump rally
This image shows the location of the shooting site, about 400 feet from the stage, at a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024.GOOGLE EARTH/CBS NEWS
BY NICOLE SGANGA
 
 9:21 PM / JULY 15, 2024

FBI continues looking into Trump shooter's background

The man who attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump purchased 50 rounds of ammunition from a gun store in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, before arriving at the rally site, according to a law enforcement bulletin from the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI obtained by CBS News.

The FBI is investigating whether the shooter "was motivated by a violent extremist ideology or had any association with additional plotters or co-conspirators."

Investigators found three suspected improvised explosive devices after the shooting, including two in the shooter's vehicle parked near the rally site, the bulletin reads.

Both agencies advised law enforcement about the potential for retaliatory acts of violence following Saturday's shooting given the online threats of violence after the attempt on Trump's life. 

"Some individuals' reactions to politically and socially divisive topics have prompted violence ... and some individuals — including some (Domestic Violent Extremists) — potentially will view political and social tensions as an opportunity to use or promote violence to further their ideological goals," the bulletin reads.

BY JOE RUIZ
 
UPDATED 9:40 PM / JULY 15, 2024

Three snipers were stationed inside building used in Trump assassination attempt

There were three snipers stationed inside the building the shooter used during Saturday's shooting of former President Donald Trump, a local law enforcement officer with direct knowledge of the incident tells CBS News.

The operations plan had them stationed inside the building looking out windows toward the Trump rally. The information about the three snipers being inside the building was first reported by BeaverCountian.com.

One of the snipers inside saw Thomas Matthew Crooks outside and looking up at the roof, observing the building and disappearing, a local law enforcement officer tells CBS News.

Crooks came back, sat down and looked at his phone. At that point, one of the snipers took a picture of him. Crooks took out a rangefinder and the sniper radioed to the command post. Crooks disappeared again and then came back a third time with a backpack. The snipers called in with information that he had a backpack and said he was walking towards the back of the building.

Officers believe that Crooks might have used an air conditioning unit to get on top of the roof.

By the time other officers came for backup, he had climbed on top of the building and was positioned above and behind the snipers inside the building, the officer said.

Two other officers who heard the sniper's call tried to get onto the roof. State police started rushing to the scene, but by that time, a Secret Service sniper had already killed Crooks, the officer said.

–CBS News' Anna Schecter

BY JOE RUIZ
 
 
7:51 PM / JULY 15, 2024

Former Secret Service agent reacts to security breach during assassination attempt

As former President Donald Trump continues to recover from the injury sustained during Saturday's attempt on his life, the questions of culpability remain.

Ron Layton, a former Secret Service agent, tells CBS Pittsburgh that he and others in law enforcement are "furious" with the lack of protection that led to the shooting.

"People who worked in the Secret Service and people in the active service are furious," Layton said. "We are angry. I am angry."

A 20-year-old gunman on a rooftop approximately 400 feet away fired on and injured Trump, killing one bystander and critically wounding two others.

"He shouldn't have access to the roof," Layton said. "That's the job, that's why you staff that building. So, that should have never happened."

Michael Slupe, the sheriff of Butler County, told CBS Pittsburgh that there was a pre-planning meeting with local law enforcement and the Secret Service, but that he couldn't remember if the building the shooter used was brought up.

"I don't remember that as part of the conversation," Slupe said. "It wasn't part of our pre-plan. And obviously, I can't comment because that would be levels higher than the sheriff to answer that question."

Watch more from CBS Pittsburgh below.

 
Who is responsible for the breach in security at the Trump rally?
BY JOE RUIZ
 
7:15 PM / JULY 15, 2024

Trump says assassination attempt had "impact"

The attempted assassination on former President Donald Trump had "an impact," he told ABC News on Monday.

Trump was asked by ABC News' Jonathan Karl if the attempt on his life had changed him.

"I don't like to think about that, but, yes, I think has an impact," he said, adding that he hoped the bandage on his ear would be removed by the time he speaks on Thursday to the Republican National Convention.

BY JOE RUIZ
 
6:24 PM / JULY 15, 2024

Hospital staff where Trump was treated praised for response effort

Three hours passed from when the staff at Butler Memorial Hospital were notified that former President Donald Trump had been injured during an assassination attempt and the Secret Service cleared out following his treatment. Hospital officials told CBS Pittsburgh their contingency plans worked as they should.

"It's in the back of everybody's mind who this person is. But they do what they do best, and that's to focus on the patient right in front of them," said Dave Rottinghaus, a Butler Memorial Hospital emergency doctor.

Watch more from CBS Pittsburgh's report below. 

Butler Memorial Hospital leaders applaud work of medical professionals on Saturday
BY JOE RUIZ
 
6:00 PM / JULY 15, 2024

Shooter visited gun range before assassination attempt, 2 law enforcement officials say

Two law enforcement officials familiar with the investigation said the shooter visited a gun range in the days before Saturday's assassination attempt.

-Andres Triay and Anna Schecter

6:05 PM / JULY 15, 2024

Sheriff says building used by shooter "wasn't our responsibility"

A Pennsylvania sheriff said his agency wasn't responsible for protecting or securing the building that the shooter used to attack Saturday's rally.

CBS Pittsburgh station KDKA-TV reporter Andy Sheehan asked Butler County Sheriff Michael Slupe if there was enough communication from the Secret Service about securing the building.

"I can't speak to that because, you know, as far as the building goes, I don't know because it wasn't our responsibility, but they did have a very good briefing," Slupe told KDKA-TV. "And, like I said earlier, somewhere along the line, you have a briefing and you identify, adapt and overcome. And there are a lot of well-trained police officers that totally have the ability to do that."

Asked if there was a plan to secure the building, Slupe said, "I have no idea about that. I have no idea. I don't."

Slupe also said his agency wasn't asked to sweep the building.

"No, the sheriff's office was not asked to do that, and I don't know whose responsibility that would have been if that was in their plan," he said.

BY ALEX SUNDBY
 
 5:11 PM / JULY 15, 2024

Shooter's father called police after assassination attempt

The shooter's father called local police after the shooting took place, according to three law enforcement officials. CBS News does not have details about the nature of the call or the exact timing of the call. The family is cooperating with federal investigators, according to the FBI.

-Pat Milton, Rob Legare and Adam Yamaguchi 

 
5:04 PM / JULY 15, 2024

Shooter's rifle was bought in 2013, sources say

The AR-style rifle used in Saturday's shooting at former President Donald Trump's rally was purchased legally in 2013, two sources confirmed to CBS News.

-Andres Triay and Robert Legare

 
4:02 PM / JULY 15, 2024

FBI gains access to shooter's phone

Federal investigators gained access to the shooter's phone, the FBI said Monday.

Two law enforcement sources told CBS News the phone has thus far not yielded any information about his beliefs or a potential motive.

-Andres Triay and Adam Yamaguchi

 3:47 PM / JULY 15, 2024

Trump's VP pick to receive Secret Service protection

While Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas was briefing reporters at the White House on Monday, former President Donald Trump announced Ohio Sen. JD Vance would be his running mate. Mayorkas was asked what kind of security Vance would be receiving.

"The United States Secret Service, when a selection is made, will provide the appropriate level of security," Mayorkas told reporters.

BY ALEX SUNDBY
 
3:26 PM / JULY 15, 2024

Secret Service protection to be given to Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

President Biden directed Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to provide independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. with Secret Service protection, Mayorkas announced Monday afternoon during a White House press briefing.

BY ALEX SUNDBY
 
3:00 PM / JULY 15, 2024

Shooter's weapon was bought well before attack, source says

The gun used in the attack against former President Donald Trump was not newly purchased, according to a source familiar with the matter. The weapon was legally purchased by the shooter's father well before Saturday's attack.

The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said in a statement Sunday it traced the weapon "based on out of business records from a closed gun dealer."

BY ROBERT LEGARE
 
2:51 PM / JULY 15, 2024

Secret Service director to appear before House Oversight panel next week

Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle is slated to testify before the House Oversight and Accountability Committee next Monday about the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, the committee announced.

Lawmakers will gather information from Cheatle about the shooting at Trump's rally, which shocked the nation and raised questions as to how the shooter was able to gain access to a rooftop so close to where the former president was addressing the crowd of supporters.

"The United States Secret Service has a no-fail mission, yet it failed on Saturday when a madman attempted to assassinate President Trump, killed an innocent victim, and harmed others," committee Chairman James Comer said in a statement. "We are grateful to the brave Secret Service agents who acted quickly to protect President Trump after shots were fired and the American patriots who sought to help victims, but questions remain about how a rooftop within proximity to President Trump was left unsecure."

Comer, a Kentucky Republican, indicated that Cheatle will face questions about security lapses at the rally and how to prevent another attack from happening again.

BY MELISSA QUINN
 
 
1:47 PM / JULY 15, 2024

Investigators return to shooter's home

Investigators returned Monday to the shooter's home in Bethel Park, about a 25-minute drive south of Pittsburgh.

At around 10 a.m., a few SUVs rolled up to the street that the shooter lived on. About four men got out of the SUVs. One was wearing a patch that said Pittsburgh Federal Bureau of Investigation, with SWAT also in the middle of the embroidered patch.

They split up in pairs and were knocking on doors, in a lot of cases to no avail. One pair was let into the shooter's home and left after a few minutes.

Read more here

BY CHILEKASI ADELE
 
 12:24 PM / JULY 15, 2024

BlackRock says shooter appeared in company ad

The 20-year-old gunman who opened fire at former President Donald Trump's rally once appeared in an advertisement for investment firm BlackRock, the company said Monday.

The ad, which was produced in 2022, was filmed at Bethel Park High School, where the shooter was a student at the time. BlackRock filmed the spot, part of a series for teachers managing their retirement assets, in a classroom led by a real teacher and which featured real students. The shooter was one of those students, BlackRock told CBS MoneyWatch.

Read more here

BY MEGAN CERULLO
 
11:58 AM / JULY 15, 2024

Shooter bought ammo on day of assassination attempt, source says

The shooter purchased a box of ammunition with 50 rounds on the day of the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump, a law enforcement source confirmed.

The shooter used an AR-style rifle in the shooting that authorities say was legally owned by his father, Matthew Crooks.

BY PAT MILTON
 
11:20 AM / JULY 15, 2024

Trump expected to announce VP pick today as RNC gets underway

Former President Donald Trump is expected to announce his pick for a vice presidential running mate ahead of the Republican National Convention's formal vote to nominate the ticket on Monday evening, according to sources familiar with the plans.

Read more here

-Fin Gómez, Kathryn Watson

11:03 AM / JULY 15, 2024

Trump Media stock price surges after failed assassination attempt

Trump Media & Technology Group's stock price soared 32% Monday.

The company, which owns the Truth Social platform, jumped $9.98 to $40.87 in morning trading. The jump reverses a six-week slump in Trump Media shares, which have exhibited volatile trading patterns since going public in March.

Trump Media — whose ticker symbol, "DJT," is the same as the former president's initials — is viewed by some as a so-called meme stock because its wild swings are influenced largely by social media enthusiasm rather than the business fundamentals that investors typically look for, such as profit and revenue growth.

Read more here 

BY AIMEE PICCHI
 
9:49 AM / JULY 15, 2024

Secret Service director says agency will "participate fully" in independent review

Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle pledged in a statement Monday that the agency will "participate fully" in the independent review of security at former President Donald Trump's rally that President Biden announced Sunday. Cheatle also said the agency will work with the appropriate congressional committees conducting oversight of the security plans before the rally.

"The Secret Service is tasked with the tremendous responsibility of protecting the current and former leaders of our democracy," she said. "It is a responsibility that I take incredibly seriously, and I am committed to fulfilling that mission."

Cheatle said the Secret Service has made changes to Trump's security detail following the assassination attempt to ensure his continued protection for this week's Republican National Convention in Milwaukee and the rest of the presidential campaign.

The Secret Service provided Trump's detail with additional security enhancements in June, she said.

Cheatle, who took the helm of the Secret Service in September 2022, said the agency is working with federal, state and local agencies to learn more about what happened at the rally, how it occurred and how it can be prevented from happening again.

With the Republican convention kicking off, the Secret Service chief said she is "confident" in the security plan put in place for the week, which Cheatle said was reviewed and strengthened following the shooting.

Cheatle also praised the Secret Service agents who were on the ground at the rally in Butler County, Pennsylvania, and offered condolences to the family and friends of Corey Comperatore, who was killed at the rally.

"Secret Service personnel on the ground moved quickly during the incident, with our counter sniper team neutralizing the shooter and our agencies implementing protective measures to ensure the safety of former President Donald Trump," she said.

BY MELISSA QUINN
 
 9:23 AM / JULY 15, 2024

Jill Biden and Melania Trump speak following assassination attempt

First lady Jill Biden and former first lady Melania Trump spoke by phone Sunday afternoon, a White House official confirmed to CBS News.

BY WEIJIA JIANG
 
9:08 AM / JULY 15, 2024

​​King Charles writes letter to Trump after assassination attempt

King Charles III wrote a private letter to former President Donald Trump after he was injured in an assassination attempt at a Pennsylvania rally over the weekend, Buckingham Palace confirmed on Monday.

In a statement, the king's press secretary said the private letter was delivered via the United Kingdom's embassy in Washington.

"We do not divulge contents of such private correspondence, but safe to surmise that the sentiments are in keeping with those communicated by the [prime minister]," the statement said.

New British Prime Minister Keir Starmer wrote on social media that he was "appalled by the shocking scenes at President Trump's rally and we send him and his family our best wishes. Political violence in any form has no place in our societies and my thoughts are with all the victims of this attack."

Starmer also had a call with Trump on Sunday.

BY LUCIA SUAREZ SANG
 
5:37 AM / JULY 15, 2024

Residents allowed to return to homes in Trump shooter's neighborhood

Bethel Park residents are being notified that they're allowed to re-enter their homes, according to local law enforcement on the scene, after residents were forced to evacuate the area as agencies swarmed the home connected to the gunman who tried to assassinate former President Donald Trump.

The FBI has, at least for now, left the scene on Milford Drive. CBS News congressional correspondent Scott MacFarlane posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, that the FBI "has searched the shooter's home and vehicle to collect additional evidence."

Lights remained on, and two SUVs were parked at the one-story home where the shooter, Thomas Crooks, and his parents lived, according to CBS News Pittsburgh's Ricky Sayer:

BREAKING: This is our first look at the home of Thomas Matthew Crooks, the man who police say attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump yesterday.

Police just scaled back their large perimeter. Bethel Park officers say investigators are no longer in the home. @KDKA pic.twitter.com/tPmqlPAhj9

— Ricky Sayer (@RickyReports) July 15, 2024

-- Ricky Sayer 

 
3:45 AM / JULY 15, 2024

Trump on attempt on his life: "I'm supposed to be dead"

Former President Donald Trump told the New York Post on Sunday he was "supposed to be dead" after an assassination attempt he described as "surreal."

"I'm not supposed to be here, I'm supposed to be dead," Trump told the Post in an interview aboard his plane en route to Milwaukee for the Republican National Convention, where he is set to be confirmed as the party's presidential candidate.

Trump told the newspaper he would have been killed if he hadn't tilted his head slightly to the right to read a chart on illegal immigrants while addressing the rally. "By luck or by God, many people are saying it's by God I'm still here," he said.
 
He praised the Secret Service agents for killing the shooter. "They took him out with one shot right between the eyes," he said.

Trump said the attempt on his life made him decide to rewrite the speech he'd prepared for the convention.

He said the original one was "extremely tough," about President Biden's "horrible administration. But I threw it away" for one said he hopes will "unite our country." 

"But I don't know if that's possible," he added. "People are very divided."

–CBS/AFP

 
11:31 PM / JULY 14, 2024

Timeline of attempted assassination of former President Trump

Thousands of people arrived at Pennsylvania's Butler Farm Show, a roughly 100-acre fairground used for agricultural exhibitions, on Saturday to see former President Donald Trump speak at a campaign rally.

Butler County voted overwhelmingly for Trump in 2020, so the crowd was expected to be friendly, but things took a sudden, deadly turn a little after 6 p.m. local time, minutes after the former president and presumptive Republican nominee began speaking. 

Click here for a detailed timeline of the attempted assassination of Trump on Saturday, July 13.

 
Timeline of events leading up to Trump campaign rally shooting
 
11:59 PM / JULY 14, 2024

Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy shares details of conversation with Trump

Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said former President Trump remains "upbeat" after a gunman fired at him during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday. Trump was grazed in the ear but survived the assassination attempt. Three other people were shot, one of whom died.

 
Kevin McCarthy shares conversation with Trump about shooting injury

In the video above, McCarthy shares more about the conversation he had with Trump following the shooting.

BY JORDAN FREIMAN 
 
10:52 PM / JULY 14, 2024

Witnesses who saw gunman before shooting speak out

 
Witnesses describe attempted Trump assassination

A man who took video of the gunman who shot at former President Trump on Saturday spoke with CBS News and described his efforts to get law enforcement's attention.

  10:00 PM / JULY 14, 2024

Biden campaign responds to GOP officials blaming president's rhetoric for assassination attempt

The Biden campaign on Sunday night responded to Republican officials who have said or implied President Biden's rhetoric was responsible for the attempted assassination of former President Trump.

"In a moment when Americans should come together and unite to condemn this horrifying attack, anyone — especially elected officials with national platforms — politicizing this tragedy, spreading disinformation, and seeking to further divide Americans isn't just unacceptable — it's an abdication of leadership," a campaign official told CBS News.

The Biden campaign halted its ads and other communications in the wake of the shooting Saturday night.

Mr. Biden is expected to use an upcoming interview with NBC's Lester Holt to reiterate the need to end political violence and condemn the attack on Trump. 

The campaign is expected to pick back up following that interview, although it's not clear when Mr. Biden's campaign would resume TV ads. Sources told CBS News the campaign understands it must be responsible in how it goes about criticizing Trump moving forward, but it is clear-eyed that there are less than four months before the election. 

BY WEIJIA JIANG
 
9:42 PM / JULY 14, 2024

Butler County district attorney defends local law enforcement

Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger told CBS Pittsburgh that while local law enforcement provided assistance at former President Trump's rally on Saturday, "the security would have been under the purview of the Secret Service."

"We provided some snipers for them, some quick response teams, but we didn't have any responsibility with securing the perimeter or anything outside of that venue," Goldinger told CBS Pittsburgh's Jennifer Borrasso. "And the hierarchy of command for the security would have been the Secret Service, followed by the state police and then the local municipal departments."

BY JORDAN FREIMAN
  
9:11 PM / JULY 14, 2024

FBI notes rise in threats of violence, conspiracy theories in aftermath of Trump rally shooting

In a call with state and local law enforcement partners earlier Sunday, the FBI noted a rise in conspiracy theories and calls for civil war online in the aftermath of the attempted assassination of former President Trump.

Paul Abbate, deputy director of the FBI, told reporters that "although the rhetoric regarding threats of violence was already increased online, we're seeing that tick up in the aftermath of this event." 

BY ROBERT LEGARE
 
 9:11 PM / JULY 14, 2024

Rep. Cory Mills calls assassination attempt "huge security breach"

Republican Representative Cory Mills, of Florida, who is in Milwaukee for the Republican National Convention, where he will serve as a delegate voting for former President Trump to be the party's official nominee, called the attempted assassination "abhorrent," and said "everyone should condemn" the shooting. 

"I think there was a huge security breach and violation. I think that needs to be investigated," he added.

BY JORDAN FREIMAN
 
 8:18 PM / JULY 14, 2024

Biden says political rhetoric has become too heated: "It's time to cool it down"

 
Biden addresses nation on Trump rally shooting | Special Report

President Biden addressed the nation from the Oval Office Sunday evening, calling for Americans to settle their differences at the ballot box, not by violence. He also called for unity in a time of great division. 

"The political rhetoric in this country has gotten very heated," he said. "It's time to cool it down." 

The president reiterated gratitude that Trump wasn't seriously injured, and expressed sorrow over the death of 50-year-old rally attendee Corey Comperatore. 

"A former president was shot, an American citizen killed, while simply exercising his freedom to support the candidate of his choosing," the president said.

Mr. Biden urged Americans not to jump to conclusions as law enforcement continues to investigate. The 20-year-old shooter was shot and killed by a Secret Service sniper. 

"We do not know the motive of the shooter yet," the president said. "We don't know his opinions or affiliations. … Law enforcement professionals as I speak are investigating those questions."

Mr. Biden said the attempted assassination was the latest in a series of violent political acts, mentioning the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the Capitol and the foiled plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

"We can't allow this violence to be normalized," he said. "The power to change America should always be in the hands of the people, not in the hands of a would-be assassin."

The president encouraged Americans to recommit to unity, and place the country before politics. 

"Nothing is more important for us right now than standing together," he said. "We can do this."

BY KATHRYN WATSON
 
 
 8:40 PM / JULY 14, 2024

Former Secret Service deputy director sheds light on shooting

 
Former Secret Service deputy director discusses Trump rally shooting

Former Secret Service Deputy Director A.T. Smith spoke with CBS News about the attempted assassination of former President Trump. Smith discusses how a gunman could have gotten such a clear view of the president and other pressing questions about the agency's actions on Saturday.

 
 7:31 PM / JULY 14, 2024

ATF says it helped identify shooter using gun dealer records

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said its agents were on the scene of the shooting within minutes and helped identify the shooter.

The ATF's National Tracing Center traced the gun using records from a dealer that had gone out of business, an ATF spokesperson told CBS News. Results were provided to the FBI and Secret Service in less than 30 minutes and helped identify the shooter.

The spokesperson said the bureau is continuing to help with firearm evidence, including securing additional evidence and locations for the execution of warrants. The ATF is also assisting with the investigation into the suspected destructive devices found in the gunman's vehicle. 

BY ROBERT LEGARE
 
 7:30 PM / JULY 14, 2024

Trump describing assassination attempt to friends

Trump remains in good spirits and has described the assassination attempt to friends, according to two people familiar with the discussions who were not authorized to speak publicly. 

He has detailed what it was like onstage to several family members, aides and friends, recounting how the bullet sounded and how he noticed blood on his hand after he touched his ear, these people said.

Trump has recalled his conversation with a doctor and medical professionals who treated him. He is reflecting to some about how close he came to a fatal injury.

He has told many people the convention must go on and is eager to appear before his supporters soon, the people said. He has not discussed his vice presidential selection with these sources, and people are mostly resisting bringing the matter up with him unless they're his top aides.

Trump has also described his phone call with President Biden as positive and brief, offering no further details to most associates.

BY ROBERT COSTA 
 
6:58 PM / JULY 14, 2024

Trump lands in Milwaukee ahead of Republican convention

Trump's plane touched down in Milwaukee, where Republicans are gathering this week to formally nominate him for president. 

Trump said earlier in the day that he had decided against delaying his arrival in the city, writing that he "cannot allow a 'shooter,' or potential assassin, to force change to scheduling, or anything else."

BY FIN GÓMEZ
 
6:53 PM / JULY 14, 2024

Injured victims still in critical but stable condition, hospital says

The two victims who were injured in the shooting remain in critical but stable condition, according to a spokesperson for Allegheny General Hospital, who noted their status is "essentially the same as [it was] last night."

Earlier in the day, the Pennsylvania State Police identified the two injured victims as 57-year-old David Dutch of New Kensington and James Copenhaver, 74, of Moon Township.

BY STEFAN BECKET
 
6:24 PM / JULY 14, 2024

Another former classmate of Crooks said he was "nerdy and shy" but friendly

A high school classmate of Thomas Matthew Crooks told CBS News he never personally saw Crooks bullied in school.

Mark Sigafoos, 19, took two classes and graduated with Crooks from Pennsylvania's Bethel Park High School in 2022. 

"Shocked is an understatement," Sigafoos said, upon learning that Crooks was the shooter at the Trump rally.

Sigafoos said that while Crooks was "definitely nerdy for sure," he "never gave off that he was creepy or like a school shooter."

"He seemed like he wouldn't hurt a fly," Sigafoos said.

The shooter was smart, approachable and friendly, Sigafoos said, adding that they sat next to each other in an AP Economics class, where Crooks was frequently engaged and volunteering answers.

"It really makes me wonder what happened in the two years after graduating and maybe what outside influences there were," Sigafoos said.

BY JESSICA KEGU
 
 
6:02 PM / JULY 14, 2024

Armed officer encountered gunman on roof before shooting began, sheriff says

 
Municipal officer encountered Trump rally shooter before assassination attempt

An armed municipal officer with Butler Township encountered the gunman before the shooting, Butler County Sheriff Michael Sloupe confirmed to CBS News. 

The officer and others had been previously alerted to a suspicious person and began searching for him right away, Sloupe told CBS Pittsburgh reporter Jen Borrasso.

At some point, the officer was hoisted by another officer onto the roof of the building where the shooter was in position. The shooter focused his rifle towards the officer, who let go and fell off the roof. Then the shooter began firing into the crowd, according to Sloupe.

BY S. DEV
 
5:52 PM / JULY 14, 2024

Source: Bomb-making material found in shooter's home, vehicle

A law enforcement source confirmed that authorities found rudimentary bomb-making material at the gunman's residence and in his vehicle. The FBI is analyzing the devices at Quantico.

BY PAT MILTON
 
5:48 PM / JULY 14, 2024

Shooter had gun club membership

Crooks had a membership to a local gun club in Clairton, Pennsylvania.

"We can confirm that Mr. Crooks was a member of the Clairton Sportsmen's Club," Clairton Sportsmen's Club president Bill Sellitto said. "Beyond that, the club is unable to make any additional commentary in relation to this matter in light of pending law enforcement investigations. Obviously, the Club fully admonishes the senseless act of violence that occurred yesterday. The Club also offers its sincerest condolences to the Comperatore family and extends prayers to all of those injured, including the former president." 

 
 5:43 PM / JULY 14, 2024

Secret Service says there are no changes to plans to secure Republican National Convention

 
Secret Service says it's confident in RNC security plans after Trump rally shooting

The Secret Service said Sunday that it has made no changes its security plan for the Republican National Convention, and is "confident in the security plans," in the wake of the Trump rally shooting.

At a news conference about the convention security, the Secret Service said there have not been any discussions about banning guns in the soft perimeter, the area immediately outside the hard perimeter of the convention. The inner perimeter is the area that requires credentials for entry. 

The Milwaukee police chief, Jeffrey Norman, said that under state law, guns are allowed in the soft perimeter because "it's a state law — we can't change that," adding that law enforcement had to respect 2nd Amendment rights.

He said he did not anticipate any changes to the security perimeter.

After last night's assassination attempt against Trump, the Republican National Convention has put federal, state and local law enforcement officials on even higher alert heading into the convention.

The convention, where the GOP will come together to officially nominate Trump, is expected to continue as planned in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, this week.

BY ELIZABETH CAMPBELL
 
 4:50 PM / JULY 14, 2024

Pennsylvania State Police identify 3 victims shot at Trump rally

The Pennsylvania State Police has identified three victims who were shot during the assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump at the rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday.

Corey Comperatore, 50, of Sarver, Pennsylvania, was identified earlier today as the man who was killed while attempting to shield his family from the gunfire.

The second victim, who was wounded in the shooting, has been identified as 57-year-old David Dutch of New Kensington, Pennsylvania. State police say he's in stable condition. 

And James Copenhaver, 74, of Moon Township, Pennsylvania, the third victim, is in stable condition. 

Read more here.

BY GARRETT BEHANNA
 
 4:00 PM / JULY 14, 2024

Shooter's former classmate says he was a "normal boy," rejected from high school rifle team

The shooter, 20-year-old Thomas Crooks, was a "nice kid who never talked poorly of anyone," said former classmate Jameson Myers. 

Myers was in the same class as Crooks at Bethel Park High School and was on the varsity rifle team. He said that Crooks tried out for the team as a freshman but did not make the junior varsity roster. 

"I never have thought him capable of anything I've seen him do in the last few days," Myers said.

Read more here.

BY MADELEINE MAY
  
3:39 PM / JULY 14, 2024

House speaker calls Secret Service director to testify about Trump rally shooting

Congress will conduct an investigation into the assassination attempt against Trump, House Speaker Mike Johnson said. 

Johnson plans to call Secret Service, FBI and Homeland Security officials to appear before lawmakers. House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer posted a letter inviting Secret Service Director Kimberly A. Cheatle to testify at a hearing on July 22.

Questions are being raised about how shooter Thomas Matthew Crooks was able to get so close to Trump. He climbed onto the roof of a shed about 400 feet from the podium and opened fire before he was killed by a Secret Service sniper.

 A.T. Smith, a former Secret Service deputy director and CBS News national security contributor, told "Face the Nation" that sources said the agency had an "adequate amount of time" to prepare for the rally. 

"The most glaring question to be asked is: how did this individual make it to the roof of that building with a long rifle, an AR-15-type rifle, apparently?" Smith said. 

Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said in a statement that the agency had implemented protective measures for the rally. Personnel positioned around the stage where the former president was speaking rushed to surround Trump and sweep him off the stage to his motorcade after the shooting. In another statement Sunday, the Secret Service denied any suggestion that protective resources had been denied. 

"The assertion that a member of the former President's security team requested additional security resources that the U.S. Secret Service or the Department of Homeland Security rebuffed is absolutely false," Guglielmi said. "In fact, recently the U.S. Secret Service added protective resources and capabilities to the former President's security detail." 

BY ALIZA CHASAN
 
3:17 PM / JULY 14, 2024

GOP House campaign arm pauses digital fundraising efforts

The National Republican Congressional Committee, the GOP House campaign arm, has paused its digital fundraising efforts since the shooting, according to an NRCC spokesperson. It's not clear how long the freeze will remain in effect. 

The Biden campaign said Saturday night that it has paused all outgoing communications. The campaign was also trying to take down ads already scheduled to air. 

BY KATHRYN WATSON
 
2:43 PM / JULY 14, 2024

Trump says he won't delay trip to Wisconsin for convention after attack

Trump said he won't delay his trip to Wisconsin for the Republican National Convention after the attempt on his life Saturday, saying he will be leaving this afternoon as scheduled.

"Based on yesterday's terrible events, I was going to delay my trip to Wisconsin, and The Republican National Convention, by two days, but have just decided that I cannot allow a 'shooter,' or potential assassin, to force change to scheduling, or anything else," Trump wrote in a social media post.

BY OLIVIA RINALDI
 
  2:38 PM / JULY 14, 2024

Senate homeland security panel to investigate assassination attempt at Trump rally

The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee will conduct an investigation into the shooting, an aide to Chairman Gary Peters said.

The panel also requested a briefing for its members "as soon as possible," and Peters, a Michigan Democrat, will speak with Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Sunday. Committee staff will also receive a briefing from the Department of Homeland Security, the aide said.

There will likely be additional steps, including hearings, as senators learn more about what occurred at Trump's rally, according to Peters' aide.

BY NIKOLE KILLION
 
2:36 PM / JULY 14, 2024

Biden tells Americans not to "make assumptions" about shooter's motives

The president said the motives of the shooter aren't yet known, noting that the investigation is still in its early stages. The president told Americans not to "make assumptions about his motives or his affiliations" and to let the FBI and partner agencies do their job.

"I've instructed that this investigation be thorough and swift and the investigators will have every resource they need to get this done," he said. 

BY KAIA HUBBARD
 
2:19 PM / JULY 14, 2024

Biden says there will be independent review of rally security

Mr. Biden said he directed the head of the U.S. Secret Service, Kimberly Cheatle, to examine security measures for this week's Republican National Convention in Milwaukee and has called for an independent review of the security at the rally to assess what took place.

Mr. Biden said the results of that review will be shared with the public.

 
Watch: Biden delivers remarks on Trump assassination attempt | Special Report
BY MELISSA QUINN
  
2:06 PM / JULY 14, 2024

Biden "sincerely grateful" Trump's doing well, will address nation from Oval Office tonight

President Biden said in brief remarks at the White House that he was "sincerely grateful" that Trump is doing well, adding that he spoke with the former president on Saturday night. He characterized the call as a "short, good" conversation, and he also said he would address the nation from the Oval Office at 8 p.m. tonight.

Mr. Biden called for unity in the wake of the assassination attempt, and he denounced political violence.

"There's no place in America for this kind of violence, or any violence for that matter," the president said. "An assassination attempt is contrary to everything we stand for as a nation. It's not who we are as a nation."

The president said that unity is the "most elusive goal of all" and added that "nothing is more important than that right now. Unity."

— Kaia Hubbard and Melissa Quinn

2:00 PM / JULY 14, 2024

Biden rescheduling Texas trip

The president is rescheduling his trip to Texas, which was planned for Monday, the White House said. Mr. Biden was scheduled to visit the LBJ Presidential Library in Austin, Texas, to mark the 60th anniversary of President Lyndon B. Johnson's signing of the Civil Rights Act.

BY KAIA HUBBARD
 
1:24 PM / JULY 14, 2024

Attorney General Merrick Garland to remain in DC to "closely monitor" investigation

Attorney General Merrick Garland, who continues to receive briefings on the attack on the former president, will stay in Washington, D.C., this week, Justice Department Director of Public Affairs Xochitl Hinojosa said in a statement. 

The attorney general was slated to travel to Nevada, Idaho, Utah and Kansas this week for meetings with local law enforcement and to speak at the National Bar Association, according to the statement.

"He will no longer travel and will stay in Washington, D.C., to closely monitor the investigation," Hinojosa said. 

BY ANDRES TRIAY 
 
1:16 PM / JULY 14, 2024

Gun used in shooting was purchased legally, sources say

Two law enforcement sources say the gun was legally purchased by and registered to the shooter's father, Matthew Crooks. The shooter had an AR-style weapon. 

— Pat Milton and Adam Yamaguchi  

1:05 PM / JULY 14, 2024

Biden to speak at 1:30 p.m. ET

President Biden will speak at the White House Sunday a day after the assassination attempt.

The president spoke briefly Saturday night in Delaware after Trump, with blood visible on his face, was whisked off stage at a Pennsylvania rally when a gunman's bullet grazed his ear. The president, who has been updated regularly by top administration officials, received another briefing in the White House Situation Room on Sunday.

gsdj81rxiaapygu.jpg
President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris receive a briefing in the Situation Room from top administration officials on July 14, 2024. THE WHITE HOUSE

The White House released a photo of the Situation Room briefing by top homeland security and law enforcement officials. It shows Vice President Kamala Harris, Attorney General Merrick Garland, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, homeland security adviser Liz Sherwood Randall, White House chief of staff Jeff Zients, White House counsel Ed Siskeland deputy Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe. 

BY KAIA HUBBARD
 
 1:01 PM / JULY 14, 2024

Shooting victim identified as Corey Comperatore

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said he had spoken with the wife and daughters of the man who died in the shooting on Saturday, Corey Comperatore.

"We lost a fellow Pennsylvanian last night, Corey Comperatore," Shapiro said at a news conference on Sunday afternoon. "Corey was a 'girl dad,' Corey was a firefighter, Corey went to church every Sunday, Corey loved his community."

Shapiro said Corey "dove on his family to protect them," adding that he "died a hero."

"Corey was the very best of us," the governor said. 

BY KAIA HUBBARD
 
 
12:37 PM / JULY 14, 2024

Suspicious devices found in gunman's vehicle

Suspicious devices, which could have been explosives or incendiary, were found in the gunman's vehicle, CBS News' investigative unit has learned. A device that appeared capable of triggering the devices was in the gunman's possession. Bomb technicians called to the scene were involved in securing and investigating the devices.

 
12:22 PM / JULY 14, 2024

Melania Trump calls shooter a "monster" who wanted to "ring out Donald's passion"

Melania Trump, the wife of former President Donald Trump, issued a statement on Sunday, calling the attempted assassination of her husband a "heinous act."

"America, the fabric of our gentle nation is tattered, but our courage and common sense must ascend and bring us back together as one," the former first lady said in a statement shared on social media.

She said that when she watched the "violent bullet" strike her husband, she realized that her life and that of the couple's son Barron was "on the brink of devasting change."

"A monster who recognized my husband as an inhuman political machine attempted to ring out Donald's passion — his laughter, ingenuity, love of music and inspiration," Melania wrote, adding: "This morning, ascend above the hate, the vitriol, and the simple-minded ideas that ignite violence."

The former first lady thanked everyone for their support, in particular the law enforcement officials who risked their lives to protect that of her husband. 

Read more here.

BY LUCIA SUAREZ SANG
 
 11:50 AM / JULY 14, 2024

Congressmen introducing bipartisan bill providing Trump, Biden and RFK Jr. with enhanced security

Democratic Rep. Ritchie Torres of New York and Republican Rep. Mike Lawler of New York are planning on introducing bipartisan legislation to provide Trump, Mr. Biden and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. with enhanced Secret Service protection, according to Torres's office. 

"Last night's attempted assassination of former President Trump was a dark moment in our nation's history," the two congressmen said in a joint statement. "As reports continue to emerge, it's clear that more protection is needed for all major candidates for president. That's why we're planning on introducing bipartisan legislation providing President Joe Biden, former President Donald Trump, and presidential candidate Robert Kennedy, Jr., with enhanced Secret Service protection. Anything less would be a disservice to our democracy."

The RFK Jr. campaign has long been asking for Secret Service protection. His father, Robert F. Kennedy, was assassinated during the 1968 Democratic presidential primaries. 

— Nidia Cavazos and Kathryn Watson  

 
11:29 AM / JULY 14, 2024

Harris cancels Tuesday campaign event in Florida in light of shooting

Vice President Kamala Harris was scheduled to campaign on reproductive rights Tuesday in Palm Beach County, Trump's backyard. 

But a Biden-Harris campaign official said the event has been canceled following Sunday's shooting. In the aftermath, Harris said she was "relieved" Trump wasn't seriously injured. 

"Violence such as this has no place in our nation," she said in a statement. "We must all condemn this abhorrent act and do our part to ensure that it does not lead to more violence."

BY NIDIA CAVAZOS
 
11:15 AM / JULY 14, 2024

Shooter spotted outside security perimeter as people were arriving at rally, sources say

Two law enforcement sources told CBS News that the shooter was spotted outside the security perimeter as people were filing into the rally, and he was reported by a bystander to the Butler County Sheriff's Office. He was identified as a suspicious person by police, the sources said. 

The sources said officials momentarily lost track of the gunman. Six minutes after Trump started talking, the shooter crawled up the side of the shed, and "popped up" on the roof, then immediately began shooting, the law enforcement sources said. He was lying flat on the shed — not walking or standing. There was very little time that passed between when he popped up and when shots rang out. 

The gunman fired 6 to 8 rounds using a semi-automatic AR-style rifle from his position approximately 400 feet from the podium. 

Secret Service counter sniper teams "had him" within seconds — the threat was neutralized almost immediately after shots were fired, the law enforcement sources said. 

— Nicole Sganga and Pat Milton

 
UPDATED 10:57 AM / JULY 14, 2024

Gunman was armed with an AR-style rifle

According to multiple law enforcement officials, the shooter was armed with a semi-automatic AR-style rifle. ATF is tracing the weapon. 

The gunman was on top of a shed outside the security perimeter set up by the Secret Service, and opened fire from about 400 feet away from the stage, law enforcement sources said. 

Map shows location of the shooting site at Trump rally
This image shows the location of the shooting site, about 400 feet from the stage, at a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024.GOOGLE EARTH/CBS NEWS

Read more here.

BY NICOLE SGANGA 
 
10:51 AM / JULY 14, 2024

Details emerge about the shooter, including yearbook photo

Details about the shooter, Thomas Crooks, began surfacing after the FBI identified him as the subject involved in the assassination attempt. He was a 2022 graduate of Bethel Park High School. 

A law enforcement official told CBS News that the Secret Service and FBI are investigating the gunman's background and speaking with his family. 

Thomas Matthew Crooks - High school yearbook and graduation photos
High school yearbook and graduation photos of Thomas Matthew Crooks

No foreign terrorism ties are known to Crooks at this time and the gunman was not on law enforcement's radar, a law enforcement official said. 

There was no indication that Crooks had a connection to any military branch, officials confirmed to CBS News. 

Crooks' political leanings were not immediately clear. Records show he was registered as a Republican voter in Pennsylvania but previously made a $15 donation to a Democratic-aligned group, CBS Pittsburgh station KDKA reported.

BY KAIA HUBBARD
 
10:03 AM / JULY 14, 2024

Secret Service says it is "untrue" that Trump team asked for more protection

The Secret Service issued a statement on Sunday morning saying it was "untrue" that a member of Trump's team had requested more Secret Service protection.

"There's an untrue assertion that a member of the former President's team requested additional security resources & that those were rebuffed. This is absolutely false. In fact, we added protective resources & technology & capabilities as part of the increased campaign travel" protocols, the Secret Service said in a statement. 

Trump has had a Secret Service detail since 2016, and all former presidents and their spouses have Secret Service protection for the remainder of their lives, unless that person declines. Trump was given additional protection in June as part of the protocol for the process for a presumptive presidential nominee. Those additional protections include additional manpower, counter sniper, drones and robotic dogs. 

BY NICOLE SGANGA
9:25 AM JULY 14, 2024
 

Trump campaign managers urge staff to stay away from offices after assassination attempt

 
Trump campaign sends new memo to staff after rally shooting

Trump campaign senior advisers Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita instructed campaign staff in a memo to stay away from offices in Washington, D.C., and Palm Beach, Florida, while the locations are assessed and security enhanced. 

"Our highest priority is to keep all of you on this staff safe," the advisers said in the memo, which noted that the RNC Convention in Milwaukee will continue as planned.

"We also urge you to recognize the political polarization in this heated election," the managers said, instructing staff not to comment publicly on the incident. "We condemn all forms of violence, and will not tolerate dangerous rhetoric on social media."

BY KAIA HUBBARD
 
UPDATED 9:15 AM / JULY 14, 2024

Johnson: "Everyone needs to turn the rhetoric down"

House Speaker Mike Johnson said Sunday on NBC's Today that he spoke with Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas last night, and that "everyone needs to turn the rhetoric down."

"We can have heated political discourse and debates but it shouldn't be personal and we shouldn't be targeting people," Johnson said. "I mean, look, President Biden himself said in recent days, it's time to put the bullseye on Trump. I mean, I know that he didn't mean what is being implied there, but that kind of language on either side should be called out and we have to make clear that this is part of our system. We can have vigorous debate, but it needs to end there."

Johnson has called on the House to conduct an investigation into the shooting. 

BY CAROLINE LINTON
 
 8:55 AM / JULY 14, 2024

Law enforcement search home of Trump rally shooter

 
Investigators search Trump rally gunman's Pennsylvania home

Law enforcement officials on Sunday swarmed the home believed to be connected with the shooter in the assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump.

Public records show the home is that of 20-year-old Thomas Crooks, who federal law enforcement officials identified as the shooter who opened fire at the rally in Butler on Saturday evening.

One neighbor, who lives only a few homes down the road from the gunman, told CBS Pittsburgh that police evacuated her home in the middle of the night. She was told noon on Sunday was the earliest she could be allowed back into her home.

"They asked us to leave our house. They told us it was a state of emergency, no warning, just a knock on the door in the middle of the night," Kelly Little said. "They told us we could come back in a couple of hours, likely." 

Read more on CBS Pittsburgh.

  8:35 AM / JULY 14, 2024

Trump posts on social media: "Remain resilient"

Trump posted on Truth Social early Sunday that Americans need to "remain resilient in our Faith and Defiant in the face of Wickedness," hours after a gunman opened fire at his Pennsylvania rally, leaving him injured. 

"In this moment, it is more important than ever that we stand United, and show our True Character as Americans, remaining Strong and Determined, and not allowing Evil to Win," Trump wrote. "I truly love our Country, and love you all, and look forward to speaking to our Great Nation this week from Wisconsin."

Trump is scheduled to speak Thursday at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. 

BY CAROLINE LINTON
 

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Caroline Linton

Caroline Linton is an associate managing editor on the political team for CBSNews.com. She has previously written for The Daily Beast, Newsweek and NewYork.

Welcome to USA Weekly News

Donald Trump Assassination Attempt

Analysis of the  attemped assassination of  Donald Trump 

USWeekly.com.au Analysis of the attempted assassination of Donald Trump 

1. Leroy Fletcher Prouty a former CIA cornel stated in his book 'The Secret Team' that one can work out who was behind ordering, allowing, encouraging, arranging and/or orchestrating an attempted or successful assassination ..... one first has to find out who was responsible to reducing the amount if security protecting a politician, royal family member or other important public figure, that allowed such attempted or successful assassination to take place. 

2. On the undisputable evidence, the USA Security Services allowed the opportunity for the shooter to set up an excellent firing position on a nearby roof which should have occupied by a USA Security Services Sniper. 

3  A large tree protected Trump Shooter.

4. Crooks  was a registered Republican, according to state voter records, and  donated $15 to a Democratic political action committee when he was 17.

                     Analysis          

Open campaign events, such as Saturday's, are tough to secure against all  threats, but insiders said they were surprised that the gunman was able  to scale a roof overlooking the rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where  Donald Trump was speaking.

A "fundamental security failure" allowed a gunman to get close  enough to Donald Trump to shoot him, according to an analysis of the  scene of the assassination attempt.

Sky News analysis of the area where the former president was shot from as he gave a speech to supporters in Butler,  Pennsylvania, on Saturday, suggests a large tree blocked the view  between the gunman and the closest armed protection unit. 

  Monday 15 July 2024 

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Gunman who tried to assassinate Donald Trump was registered Republican

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Head and shoulders shot of Thomas Matthew Crooks

14/07/2024  BY ASSOCIATED PRESS

The 20-year-old nursing-home employee from suburban Pittsburgh who tried to assassinate former president Donald Trump was a registered Republican who packed explosives in the vehicle he drove to the campaign rally an hour from his home.

Law enforcement officials were trying to learn more about Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, to determine what motivated him to open fire on the rally from a nearby rooftop, killing one spectator, before he was shot dead by the Secret Service

The FBI said on Sunday it has not yet identified any underlying ideology or threatening writing or social media posts from Crooks, who graduated from high school two years ago and had no past criminal cases against him, according to public court records. The FBI said it believes Crooks acted alone.

Mr Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, said on social media that the upper part of his right ear was pierced in the shooting.

 

<div "="">A car is parked across a road with forest in the background

 

 

A street in Bethel Park is blocked by law enforcement. Photo: Joshua A. Bickel/AP.

 

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Two spectators were critically injured, authorities said. The man killed was Corey Comperatore, 50, a former fire chief from the area who Pennsylvania’s governor says died a “hero” by diving on to his family to protect them.

Crooks’ father, Matthew Crooks, told CNN on Saturday that he was trying to figure out “what the hell is going on” but would not speak about his son until after he talked to law enforcement.

Crooks graduated from Bethel Park High School in 2022. In a video of the school’s graduation ceremony posted online, Crooks can be seen crossing the stage to receive his diploma, appearing slight of build and wearing glasses.

Crooks tried to get into the school’s rifle team but was turned away because he was a bad shot, said Frederick Mach, a current captain of the team who was a few years behind Crooks at the school.

 

Jason Kohler, who said he attended the same high school but did not share any classes with Crooks, said Crooks was bullied at school and sat alone at lunch time. Other students mocked him for the clothes he wore, which included hunting outfits, Mr Kohler said.

 

<div "="">Police tape is strung across a road with a house in the background

 

 

Police tape blocks a street in Bethel Park. Photo: Joshua A. Bickel/AP.

 

“He was bullied almost every day,” Mr Kohler told reporters. “He was just a outcast, and you know how kids are nowadays.”

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Crooks worked at a nursing home as a dietary aide, a job that generally involves food preparation.

Marcie Grimm, the administrator of Bethel Park Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation, said in a statement she was “shocked and saddened to learn of his involvement”.

Ms Grimm added that Crooks had a clean background check when he was hired.

Crooks’ political leanings were not immediately clear. Records show Crooks was registered as a Republican voter in Pennsylvania, but federal campaign finance reports also show he gave money to a progressive political action committee on January 20, 2021, the day President Joe Biden was sworn into office.

 

Butler County district attorney Richard Goldinger told AP on Sunday that Crooks had been previously unknown to investigators in his county and had not been on their radar.

 

<div "="">Head and shoulder shot of young man in black graduation robes

 

 

Thomas Matthew Crooks in the 2022 Bethel Park High School Commencement. Photo: The Bethel Park School District/AP.

 

He said the investigation had so far not turned up any evidence that he had co-ordinated with anyone else in the region.

A blockade had been set up Sunday blocking traffic near Crooks’ house, which is in an enclave of modest brick houses in the hills outside blue-collar Pittsburgh and about an hour’s drive from the site of the Trump rally.

Police cars were stationed at an intersection near the house and officers were seen walking through the neighbourhood.

Bomb-making materials were found inside Crooks’ vehicle near the Trump rally and at his home, according to two officials. A white Allegheny County Police truck identified as bomb squad pulled up to the home on Sunday.

Crooks used an AR-style rifle, which authorities said they believe was purchased by his father.

Kevin Rojek, FBI special agent in charge in Pittsburgh, said that investigators do not yet know if he took the gun without his father’s permission.

 

<div "="">A pink road closed sign on a road with forest in the background

 

 

A road is closed in Bethel Park. Photo: Gene J. Puskar/AP.

 

One local police officer climbed to the roof and encountered Crooks, who pointed his rifle at the officer.

The officer retreated down the ladder and Crooks quickly took a shot at Mr Trump, and that is when Secret Service snipers shot him, said the officials.

A video posted on social media and geolocated by AP shows Crooks wearing a grey T-shirt with a black American flag on the right arm lying motionless on the roof of a manufacturing plant just north of the Butler Farm showgrounds where Mr Trump’s rally was held.

The roof where Crooks lay was less than 150 metres from where Mr Trump was speaking, a distance from which a decent marksman could reasonably hit a human-sized target. That is a distance at which US Army recruits must hit a scaled human-sized silhouette to qualify with the M-16 rifle.

Images of Crooks’ body reviewed by AP show he appears to have been wearing a T-shirt from Demolition Ranch, a popular YouTube channel that regularly posts videos of its creator firing off handguns and assault rifles at targets that include human mannequins.

Matt Carriker, the Texas-based creator of Demolition Ranch, did not respond to a phone message or email on Sunday, but posted a photo of Crooks’ body wearing his brand’s T-shirt on social media with the comment “What the hell.”

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After assassination attempt, Trump and Biden seek calm, unity

 

After assassination attempt, Trump and Biden seek calm, unity

By Tim Reid ,  Gram Slattery and Helen CosterJuly 15, 2024

Crooks  was a registered Republican, according to state voter records, and  donated $15 to a Democratic political action committee when he was 17.

 

  • Summary
  • LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
  • Biden orders review of how gunman got so close
  • Gunman worked as a dietary aide at a nursing home
  • Four-day convention gets under way on Monday
  • Trump to name his vice presidential running mate

 

MILWAUKEE, July 14 (Reuters) - Donald Trump arrived on Sunday in Milwaukee, where he will be formally nominated as  the Republican presidential candidate later this week after surviving an  assassination attempt that has aggravated an already bitter U.S.  political divide.President Joe Biden, a Democrat, ordered a review of how a 20-year-old man with an AR-15-style rifle got close enough to  shoot at Trump from a rooftop on Saturday. Trump, as a former president,  has lifetime protection by the U.S. Secret Service

 

.Trump, 78, was holding a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania - a key state in the Nov. 5 election - when shots rang out, hitting his right ear and leaving his face streaked with blood. His campaign said he was doing well.

"That  reality is just setting in," Trump told the Washington Examiner on  Sunday. "I rarely look away from the crowd. Had I not done that in that  moment, well, we would not be talking today, would we?"

One person in the crowd was killed and two others wounded before Secret Service agents fatally shot the suspect.

Both Trump and Biden on Sunday sought calm and unity.

Trump is due to accept his party's formal nomination at the Republican National Convention with a speech on Thursday. He pumped his fist in the air several times  as he descended the stairs from his plane after arriving in Milwaukee.

"This  is a chance to bring the whole country, even the whole world, together.  The speech will be a lot different, a lot different than it would've  been two days ago," Trump told the Washington Examiner.

Biden delivered a televised address from the Oval Office in the White House on Sunday.

"There  is no place in America for this kind of violence, for any violence  ever. Period. No exceptions. We can't allow this violence to be  normalized," he said. "The political rhetoric in this country has gotten  very heated. It's time to cool it down."

Biden  and Trump spoke to each other on Saturday night after the shooting.  First Lady Jill Biden also spoke with former First Lady Melania Trump on  Sunday afternoon, said a White House official.

Trump  and Biden are locked in a close election rematch, according to most  opinion polls including by Reuters/Ipsos. The shooting on Saturday  whipsawed discussion around the presidential campaign, which had been  focused on if Biden, 81, should drop out following a halting June 27  debate performance.The  FBI said there were no known threats to the Republican convention -  which kicks off on Monday - or anyone attending, while the Secret  Service said they do not anticipate any changes to the security plan.The convention will feature televised speeches by rising Republican stars and Trump's  choice for a yet-to-be-announced vice presidential running mate, while  highlighting the party's stance on such topics as abortion, immigration  and the economy.

SUSPECT A NURSING HOME AIDE

The FBI identified Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, as the suspect and said the shooting was being investigated as an attempted assassination.FBI  officials said on Sunday that the shooter acted alone. The agency said  it had yet to identify an ideology linked to the suspect or any  indications of mental health issues or found any threatening language on  the suspect's social media accounts.Item  1 of 13 A pro-Trump supporter holds a portrait of former President  Donald Trump during a demonstration in support of former U.S. President  Donald Trump who was shot the previous day in an assassination attempt  during a rally in Pennsylvania, in Huntington Beach, California, U.S.  July 14, 2024.  REUTERS/Etienne Laurent

]A  pro-Trump supporter holds a portrait of former President Donald Trump  during a demonstration in support of former U.S. President Donald Trump  who was shot the previous day in an assassination...  

 

Crooks  was a registered Republican, according to state voter records, and  donated $15 to a Democratic political action committee when he was 17.  At the time of the shooting he was employed as a dietary aide at a  nursing home. The Bethel Park Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center  said Crooks "performed his job without concern and his background check  was clean."The  gun - an AR-style-5.56 caliber rifle - had been legally bought, FBI  officials said, adding they believed it had been purchased by the  suspect's father. The officials said "a suspicious device" was found in  the suspect's vehicle, which was inspected by bomb technicians and  rendered safe.The Secret Service denied accusations by some Trump supporters that it had rejected a  campaign request for more security, saying that it recently "added  protective resources and capabilities to the former President's security  detail."Hours  after the assassination attempt, the Oversight Committee in the  Republican-led U.S. House of Representatives summoned Secret Service  Director Kimberly Cheatle to testify at a hearing scheduled for July 22.The shots on Saturday appeared to come from outside the area secured by the Secret Service, the agency said.Butler  County Sheriff Michael Slupe said Butler Township police officers had  responded to a call about a suspicious person, but were unaware he was  armed. He said one officer helped hoist another officer up to look on  the roof. As the officer pulled himself up he was confronted by the  shooter."The  shooter heard him or saw him, he turns around with his rifle and of  course the guy just lets go and he falls to the ground," said Slupe. The  shooter opened fire shortly afterwards, he said.

 

<div "="">Annotated image of the spatial relationship between the stage where Trump was speaking and the suspected gunman on a roof 140 meters away.

 

 

Annotated  image of the spatial relationship between the stage where Trump was  speaking and the suspected gunman on a roof 140 meters away.

 

SPECTATOR KILLED PROTECTING FAMILY

The rally attendee killed on Saturday was identified by authorities as Corey Comperatore,  50, of Sarver, Pennsylvania. He died trying to protect his family from  the hail of bullets, said Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro."Corey  was an avid supporter of the former president, and was so excited to be  there," Shapiro said, adding, "Political disagreements can never, ever  be addressed through violence."Two  people wounded in the shooting were in a stable condition on Sunday.  Pennsylvania State identified them as David Dutch, 57, of New  Kensington, Pennsylvania and James Copenhaver, 74, of Moon Township,  Pennsylvania.Residents of Bethel Park, where the suspected shooter lived, expressed shock at the news on Sunday."It's  a little crazy to think that somebody that did an assassination attempt  is that close, but it just kind of shows the political dynamic that  we're in right now with the craziness on each side," said resident Wes  Morgan, 42, describing Bethel Park as "a pretty blue-collar type of  area."While  mass shootings at schools, nightclubs and other public places are  common in the United States, the attack was the first shooting of a U.S.  president or major party presidential candidate since the 1981  attempted assassination of Republican President Ronald Reagan.Americans fear rising political violence, Reuters/Ipsos polling shows, with two out of three respondents to a May survey saying they worried violence could follow the election.After  Biden defeated Trump in the 2020 election, Trump supporters stormed the  U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in a deadly riot fueled by Trump's false  claims that his loss was the result of widespread fraud.

 

Reporting  by Nathan Layne, Gabriella Borter and Soren Larson in Bethel Park,  Pennsylvania; Additional reporting by Katharine Jackson, Sarah N. Lynch,  Richard Cowan, Caitlin Webber, Nandita Bose, Ismail Shakil, Joseph Ax,  Andrew Hay and Kanishka Singh; Writing by Frank McGurty, Scott Malone  and Michelle Nichols; Editing by Lisa Shumaker, Howard Goller and  Lincoln Feast.

 

 

 

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Open  campaign events, such as Saturday's, are tough to secure against all  threats, but insiders said they were surprised that the gunman was able  to scale a roof overlooking the rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where  Donald Trump was speaking.

  

Monday 15 July 2024 07:13, UK

   

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 1:59     Watch moment Trump is shot          

 

 

  

 

 

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A "fundamental security failure" allowed a gunman to get close  enough to Donald Trump to shoot him, according to an analysis of the  scene of the assassination attempt.

Sky News analysis of the area where the former president was shot from as he gave a speech to supporters in Butler,  Pennsylvania, on Saturday, suggests a large tree blocked the view  between the gunman and the closest armed protection unit.

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Two armed units could be seen on the two warehouses behind Mr Trump,  but because of the tree only the unit that was further away from the  attacker had a clear view of him.

Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, was  on top of a warehouse between 130-140m from Mr Trump when he fired  several rounds at the former president before being shot and killed by  Secret Service agents.

Trump assassination latest: Bomb-making materials found in vehicle at suspect's home

  

 

A large tree has created a dead spot for the closest armed unit to the gunman

 

Mr Trump was hit in the ear in the assassination attempt but has said  "God alone who prevented the unthinkable from happening", while one  spectator - named as 50-year-old Corey Comperatore - was killed and two  others seriously injured.

Security experts familiar with the  demands of keeping politicians safe said "a fundamental security  failure" occurred to allow the gunman to get close enough to carry out  his attack.

Among those to comment was Steve Nottingham, who has helped provide security for visiting world leaders, including presidents.

The  former Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team commander, suggested  pre-event research and real-time monitoring of places a gunman could  shoot from had broken down.

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  1:34     What Trump said after being shot    

He told NBC, Sky's US partner: "They were behind the curve, because they should have had those places covered ahead of time."

His  comments come after the BBC interviewed a man who described himself as  an eyewitness, who said he saw a man armed with a rifle crawling up a  roof near the event.

The person, who the BBC did not name, said he  and other people he was with started trying to alert security, pointing  at the man.

Read more:
'Pop pop pop' - Witnesses describe moment of shooting
In pictures: Gunman fires multiple shots at Trump rally

 

 

<div "="">Body of gunman in Trump assassination attempt

 

Retired Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)  agent Jim Cavanaugh said he was surprised the gunman was able to occupy a  raised position within rifle range of the rally site.

Mr  Cavanaugh said: "Whenever I've been with them, every single high ground  is taken by them or the local SWAT police. There's nobody allowed  walking on rooftops. They command the high ground."

He said a  high-powered rifle like an AR-15 can hit targets 600ft (182m) away and  Mr Trump was about 444ft (135m) from the rooftop where the gunman was  found dead, NBC News said, based on an analysis of Google Earth images.

 

 

Mr Cavanaugh said: "Having been on Secret Service details, it's  amazing to me that somebody was on an elevated position that they didn't  know about."

But Pennsylvania State Police Lieutenant Colonel  George Bivens defended those in charge of security, calling it  "incredibly difficult to have a venue open to the public and to secure  that against any possible threat against a very determined attacker.  That's a huge lift".

 

 

<div "="">map

 

The Secret Service did not immediately respond to a request for comment on its role, NBC said.

But a spokesman for the service has denied online reports that it refused requests from the Trump campaign for greater security.

Spokesperson  Anthony Guglielmi said in a statement on the X social media platform on  Sunday: "There's an untrue assertion that a member of the former  president's team requested additional security resources and that those  were rebuffed.

"This is absolutely false. In fact, we added  protective resources & technology & capabilities as part of the  increased campaign travel tempo".

     

FBI special agent Kevin Rojek told reporters law enforcement  was not aware there was a man on the rooftop until he started firing,  and said it was "surprising" how many shots the gunman managed to fire.

Trump  supporters in the front row of the rally heard a series of pops and saw  Secret Service agents jump on the stage as Mr Trump, the presumptive  Republican candidate in November's presidential election, ducked.

Mr Trump said in a post on his Truth Social site a couple of hours later that a bullet "pierced the upper part of my right ear.

"I  knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing  sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin.  Much bleeding took place, so I realised then what was happening."

Former  Secret Service agent Evy Poumpouras, who has protected multiple  presidents, including Barack Obama and George W Bush, said it is  impossible to eliminate every potential threat at a rally.

 

 

Pic: AP

 

She said: "Somebody can be out in the distance and really engage your  target from a long range, and there are weapons out there that allow  you to do this.

"Let's say you hunkered [locked] this whole area  down. You've got the magnetometers (instrument used for measuring  magnetic forces); you've got the tactical element. Everything is locked  and tight. How do you secure that outer perimeter? How far do you go?  And can you cover everything? That's a problem.

"Even if somebody  is in an elevated position or not, how do you secure all of those  elevated positions when you have weapons with the capabilities that are  able to shoot long distances? This is what you are up against."

Former  New York City police officer Jillian Snider said it is routine for law  enforcement to do a perimeter check extending a few hundred yards ahead  of such an event.

  

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"That doesn't mean that someone can't sneakily make their way to one  of those positions afterward, especially if it was someone who had done  some preplanning. There are a lot of places in that area to hide, and  you can't monitor every possible position.

"Someone who is that driven to do something like this will find a way to try and get the job done."

  

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Crooks was a registered Republican, according to state voter records

Crooks  was a registered Republican, according to state voter records, and  donated $15 to a Democratic political action committee when he was 17.  At the time of the shooting he was employed as a dietary aide at a  nursing home. The Bethel Park Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center  said Crooks "performed his job without concern and his background check  was clean."The  gun - an AR-style-5.56 caliber rifle - had been legally bought, FBI  officials said, adding they believed it had been purchased by the  suspect's father. The officials said "a suspicious device" was found in  the suspect's vehicle, which was inspected by bomb technicians and  rendered safe.The Secret Service denied accusations by some Trump supporters that it had rejected a  campaign request for more security, saying that it recently "added  protective resources and capabilities to the former President's security  detail."Hours  after the assassination attempt, the Oversight Committee in the  Republican-led U.S. House of Representatives summoned Secret Service  Director Kimberly Cheatle to testify at a hearing scheduled for July 22.The shots on Saturday appeared to come from outside the area secured by the Secret Service, the agency said.Butler  County Sheriff Michael Slupe said Butler Township police officers had  responded to a call about a suspicious person, but were unaware he was  armed. He said one officer helped hoist another officer up to look on  the roof. As the officer pulled himself up he was confronted by the  shooter."The  shooter heard him or saw him, he turns around with his rifle and of  course the guy just lets go and he falls to the ground," said Slupe. The  shooter opened fire shortly afterwards, he said.

 

<div "="">Annotated image of the spatial relationship between the stage where Trump was speaking and the suspected gunman on a roof 140 meters away.

 

SPECTATOR KILLED PROTECTING FAMILY

The rally attendee killed on Saturday was identified by authorities as Corey Comperatore,  50, of Sarver, Pennsylvania. He died trying to protect his family from  the hail of bullets, said Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro."Corey  was an avid supporter of the former president, and was so excited to be  there," Shapiro said, adding, "Political disagreements can never, ever  be addressed through violence."Two  people wounded in the shooting were in a stable condition on Sunday.  Pennsylvania State identified them as David Dutch, 57, of New  Kensington, Pennsylvania and James Copenhaver, 74, of Moon Township,  Pennsylvania.Residents of Bethel Park, where the suspected shooter lived, expressed shock at the news on Sunday."It's  a little crazy to think that somebody that did an assassination attempt  is that close, but it just kind of shows the political dynamic that  we're in right now with the craziness on each side," said resident Wes  Morgan, 42, describing Bethel Park as "a pretty blue-collar type of  area."While  mass shootings at schools, nightclubs and other public places are  common in the United States, the attack was the first shooting of a U.S.  president or major party presidential candidate since the 1981  attempted assassination of Republican President Ronald Reagan.

Americans fear rising political violence, Reuters/Ipsos polling shows, with two out of three respondents to a May survey saying they worried violence could follow the election.After  Biden defeated Trump in the 2020 election, Trump supporters stormed the  U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in a deadly riot fueled by Trump's false  claims that his loss was the result of widespread fraud.

Get weekly news and analysis on the U.S. elections and how it matters to the world with the newsletter On the Campaign Trail. Sign up  here.

Reporting  by Nathan Layne, Gabriella Borter and Soren Larson in Bethel Park,  Pennsylvania; Additional reporting by Katharine Jackson, Sarah N. Lynch,  Richard Cowan, Caitlin Webber, Nandita Bose, Ismail Shakil, Joseph Ax,  Andrew Hay and Kanishka Singh; Writing by Frank McGurty, Scott Malone  and Michelle Nichols; Editing by Lisa Shumaker, Howard Goller and  Lincoln Feast.

Trump Shooter SUSPECT A NURSING HOME AIDE

Trump Shooter SUSPECT A NURSING HOME AIDE

The FBI identified Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, as the suspect and said the shooting was being investigated as an attempted assassination.FBI  officials said on Sunday that the shooter acted alone. The agency said  it had yet to identify an ideology linked to the suspect or any  indications of mental health issues or found any threatening language on  the suspect's social media accounts.Item  1 of 13 A pro-Trump supporter holds a portrait of former President  Donald Trump during a demonstration in support of former U.S. President  Donald Trump who was shot the previous day in an assassination attempt  during a rally in Pennsylvania, in Huntington Beach, California, U.S.  July 14, 2024.  REUTERS/Etienne Laurent

]A  pro-Trump supporter holds a portrait of former President Donald Trump  during a demonstration in support of former U.S. President Donald Trump  who was shot the previous day in an assassinatio

 

Crooks  was a registered Republican, according to state voter records, and  donated $15 to a Democratic political action committee when he was 17.  At the time of the shooting he was employed as a dietary aide at a  nursing home. The Bethel Park Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center  said Crooks "performed his job without concern and his background check  was clean."The  gun - an AR-style-5.56 caliber rifle - had been legally bought, FBI  officials said, adding they believed it had been purchased by the  suspect's father. The officials said "a suspicious device" was found in  the suspect's vehicle, which was inspected by bomb technicians and  rendered safe.The Secret Service denied accusations by some Trump supporters that it had rejected a  campaign request for more security, saying that it recently "added  protective resources and capabilities to the former President's security  detail."Hours  after the assassination attempt, the Oversight Committee in the  Republican-led U.S. House of Representatives summoned Secret Service  Director Kimberly Cheatle to testify at a hearing scheduled for July 22.The shots on Saturday appeared to come from outside the area secured by the Secret Service, the agency said.Butler  County Sheriff Michael Slupe said Butler Township police officers had  responded to a call about a suspicious person, but were unaware he was  armed. He said one officer helped hoist another officer up to look on  the roof. As the officer pulled himself up he was confronted by the  shooter."The  shooter heard him or saw him, he turns around with his rifle and of  course the guy just lets go and he falls to the ground," said Slupe. The  shooter opened fire shortly afterwards, he said.

 

<div "="">Annotated image of the spatial relationship between the stage where Trump was speaking and the suspected gunman on a roof 140 meters away.

 

 

Annotated  image of the spatial relationship between the stage where Trump was  speaking and the suspected gunman on a roof 140 meters away.

 

SPECTATOR KILLED PROTECTING FAMILY

The rally attendee killed on Saturday was identified by authorities as Corey Comperatore,  50, of Sarver, Pennsylvania. He died trying to protect his family from  the hail of bullets, said Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro."Corey  was an avid supporter of the former president, and was so excited to be  there," Shapiro said, adding, "Political disagreements can never, ever  be addressed through violence."Two  people wounded in the shooting were in a stable condition on Sunday.  Pennsylvania State identified them as David Dutch, 57, of New  Kensington, Pennsylvania and James Copenhaver, 74, of Moon Township,  Pennsylvania.Residents of Bethel Park, where the suspected shooter lived, expressed shock at the news on Sunday."It's  a little crazy to think that somebody that did an assassination attempt  is that close, but it just kind of shows the political dynamic that  we're in right now with the craziness on each side," said resident Wes  Morgan, 42, describing Bethel Park as "a pretty blue-collar type of  area."While  mass shootings at schools, nightclubs and other public places are  common in the United States, the attack was the first shooting of a U.S.  president or major party presidential candidate since the 1981  attempted assassination of Republican President Ronald Reagan.

Americans fear rising political violence, Reuters/Ipsos polling shows, with two out of three respondents to a May survey saying they worried violence could follow the election.After  Biden defeated Trump in the 2020 election, Trump supporters stormed the  U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in a deadly riot fueled by Trump's false  claims that his loss was the result of widespread fraud.

 

Reporting  by Nathan Layne, Gabriella Borter and Soren Larson in Bethel Park,  Pennsylvania; Additional reporting by Katharine Jackson, Sarah N. Lynch,  Richard Cowan, Caitlin Webber, Nandita Bose, Ismail Shakil, Joseph Ax,  Andrew Hay and Kanishka Singh; Writing by Frank McGurty, Scott Malone  and Michelle Nichols; Editing by Lisa Shumaker, Howard Goller and  Lincoln Feast. a look at some of our recent projects and see the quality of our work for yourself. We have worked with a wide range of clients across various industries and are confident in our ability to meet any challenge.

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A large tree protected Trump Shooter

 

                     Analysis          

Open campaign events, such as Saturday's, are tough to secure against all  threats, but insiders said they were surprised that the gunman was able  to scale a roof overlooking the rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where  Donald Trump was speaking.

   

A "fundamental security failure" allowed a gunman to get close  enough to Donald Trump to shoot him, according to an analysis of the  scene of the assassination attempt.

Sky News analysis of the area where the former president was shot from as he gave a speech to supporters in Butler,  Pennsylvania, on Saturday, suggests a large tree blocked the view  between the gunman and the closest armed protection unit.

 

 

  Monday 15 July 2024 07:13, UK 

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The Trump assassination attempt | ABC news something interesting about your business here. 

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L._Fletcher_Prouty

Leroy Fletcher Prouty (January 24, 1917 – June 5, 2001)[1] served as Chief of Special Operations for the Joint Chiefs of Staff under President John F. Kennedy. A colonel in the United States Air Force, he retired from military service to become a bank executive. He subsequently became a critic of U.S. foreign policy, particularly the covert activities of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), which he believed was working on behalf of a secret world elite.

Prouty's commentary on the Kennedy assassination circulated widely from the 1970s to 1990s, as a key source for conspiracy theories about it. He was the inspiration for the character "Mr. X" in Oliver Stone's film JFK.[2]

Early life

Family

Prouty was born in Springfield, Massachusetts on January 24, 1917, to Marie Ozias Desautels, age 32, and Leroy Fletcher Prouty, a municipal government employee, age 28.[3][4] He was the first child in a growing family and would eventually become one of five, with two brothers and two sisters.[4]

His first brother Robert Vincent was born one year later on May 9, 1918, and they were joined by a sister Muriel two years after that on September 28, 1920.[4] Another baby girl joined the family on March 24, 1921, and was named Corinne Marie;[4] she later went by Corinne Toole.[5] The youngest of the Prouty children, a boy named Norman Peter, was born 1926.[4] Corinne was his only sibling to survive him.[5]

Prouty married Elizabeth Ballinger on October 5, 1942, and with her he fathered three children: David Fletcher, Jane Elizabeth, Lauren Michele.[3]

Education[edit]

Prouty attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst (then known as Massachusetts State College), and on September 20, 1936, he was elected President of his freshman class, "the Class of 1940," succeeding Daniel G. Lacey.[6][7][3] He later pursued his graduate studies in banking at the University of Wisconsin–Madison Graduate School of Banking.[8]

Prouty belonged to a handful of membership organizations: the National Defense Transportation Association, the American Bankers Association, the Tokyo Toastmasters Club, and the Army Navy Club.[3]

Government service[edit]

World War II[edit]

Prouty was commissioned as a reserve 2nd lieutenant in the cavalry on June 9, 1941, and began his military career with the 4th Armored Division in Pine Camp, New York. He was promoted to 1st lieutenant on February 1, 1942. He transferred to the United States Army Air Forces on November 10, 1942, and earned his pilot wings that same month. He arrived in British West Africa (specifically the British Gold Coast colony) in February 1943 as a pilot with Air Transport Command.[9]

In the summer of 1943 he was the personal pilot of General Omar Bradley, General John C. H. Lee and General C. R. Smith (founder and president of American Airlines), among others. He flew the U.S. Geological Survey Team in Saudi Arabia, October 1943, to confirm oil discoveries in preparation for the Cairo Conference. He was assigned to special duties at the Cairo Conference and the Tehran Conference November–December 1943. He flew Chiang Kai-shek's Chinese delegation (T. V. Soong's delegates) to Tehran.[10]

An important mission he was involved in was the evacuation of the British commandos made famous by the novel Guns of Navarone involved in the Battle of Leros from Leros to Palestine. He was promoted to captain on February 1, 1944. In 1945 he was transferred to the Southwest Pacific and flew in New GuineaLeyte and was on Okinawa at the end of war. He landed near Tokyo at the time of the surrender with the first three planes carrying General Douglas MacArthur's bodyguard troops. He flew out with American POWs.[citation needed]

Post-war service[edit]

After the war, Prouty accepted an assignment from the U.S. Army in September 1945 to inaugurate the ROTC program at Yale University, where he also taught during each scholastic year from 1946 to 1948. This timeline intersects with the years that George Bush and William F. Buckley, Jr. also spent at Yale. Prouty fondly recalled Buckley at that time in his role as editor of the Yale Daily News, and Prouty later told an interviewer in 1989 that he had written for Buckley on several occasions.

In 1950 he transferred to Colorado Springs to build Air Defense Command. From 1952 to 1954 he was assigned to Korean War duties in Japan, where he served as Military Manager for Tokyo International Airport (Haneda) during the post-war U.S. occupation.

In 1955 he was assigned to the coordination of operations between the fledgling U.S. Air Force and the CIA.[1] As a result of a CIA commendation for this work he was awarded the Legion of Merit by the U.S. Air Force, promoted to colonel, and assigned to the Office of the Secretary of Defense.[citation needed]

Following the creation of the Defense Intelligence Agency and termination of the OSO[clarification needed] by Secretary Robert McNamara, Prouty was transferred to the Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and charged with the creation a similar organization on a global scale.

From 1962 to 1963 he served as Chief of Special Operations with the Joint Staff. In an chance encounter with Edward Lansdale in the hallways of the Pentagon, a "month or two before" the assassination (as Prouty tells it), Lansdale informed Prouty he had arranged for him [Prouty] to accompany a group of VIPs to the South Pole from November 10 to 23, in the capacity of Military Escort officer.[11]

The ostensible purpose of the trip was the activation of a nuclear power plant at the United States Navy Base at McMurdo SoundAntarctica, to provide heat, light, and sea water desalination.[citation needed] Prouty later described his confusion at the unusual assignment, but he expected the job to be a "paid vacation" and accepted the task.

Prouty retired in 1964 as a colonel in the U.S. Air Force. As recognition of his long and distinguished career in the service of his country, he was awarded one of the first three Joint Service Commendation Medals by General Maxwell D. TaylorChairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.[citation needed]

Post-military[edit]

Railroads[edit]

He was a senior director of public affairs for Amtrak during the 1970s, and a director of the National Railroad Foundation and Museum. During this period he worked out of the Amtrak Corp. office in Washington, D.C.[citation needed]

Writing[edit]

Prouty authored two major books during his life, The Secret Team: The CIA and Its Allies in Control of the United States and the World in 1973 and JFK: The CIA, Vietnam, and the Plot to Assassinate John F. Kennedy in 1992.

He served alongside friend and fellow researcher Eustace Mullins as contributing editor for a conspiracy magazine titled Criminal Politics.[12]

Prouty also published articles in a wide variety of publications, from pornographic magazines to peer-reviewed journals to academic textbooks, illustrating the wide diversity in his intended audiences for different writings. His areas of expertise were cultivated by direct experience as well as research, and they range from railroads to assassinations to transportation to military strategy and logistics.[citation needed]

His writings even include entries on Railroad Engineering and Foreign Railroad Technology for McGraw-Hill's Scientific Encyclopedias and Scientific Yearbooks, as well as contributions to ROTC textbooks.[citation needed]

Church of Scientology[edit]

In the early 1980s, Prouty's services as an expert witness were retained by the legal team of the Church of Scientology to act as consultant in the investigation of L. Ron Hubbard's military record.

By early 1985, Hubbard's naval record was again the subject of increasing scrutiny. Julie Christofferson Titchbourne of Portland, Oregon brought her case against the Church at that time, and Scientology's lawyers again turned to Prouty to help them manage the public relations fallout.[13] Prouty was forthcoming with an affidavit on their behalf by February. In it, he stated his belief that the records released by the U.S. Navy documenting Hubbard's service in the armed forces "are incomplete ... those materials and records provided give ample evidence that proves the existence of other records that have been concealed, withheld and overlooked."[14]

"...to provide proof of the fact that the records, data and related materials provided by the U.S. Navy (USN) and other government sources, all said to be the complete record and file on the military service, active and inactive, of Mr. L. Ronald Hubbard, formerly Lt. Commander, U.S. Navy Reserve, are incomplete ... [and] to attest to the fact that those materials and records provided give ample evidence that proves the existence of other records that have been concealed, withheld and overlooked."[14]

Hubbard, the founder of Scientology, had said that he sustained combat injuries during his military service in World War II and that he healed himself through measures that would become Dianetics.[15] However, Hubbard's military record does not show that he was wounded in combat. Church officials have stated that those records were incomplete and may have been falsified.[15] Prouty, according to Church of Scientology spokesman Tommy Davis, reported that Hubbard was an intelligence agent, and because of this his military discharge papers were "sheep dipped," meaning two sets of government records were created documenting Hubbard's service.[13][16]

Prouty's association with Scientology also provided him with a platform for his writing over the following decades, serving as senior editor of Freedom magazine, an official publication of the Church.[17] Between 1985 and 1987, Freedom published a 19-part series by Prouty which it described as having "provided a unique and highly informative view of the events which led up to the Vietnam War." The magazine later covered his perspective on the Jonestown affair. At times, he has described himself as "an editorial adviser to publications of the Church of Scientology."

Oliver Stone's JFK film[edit]

Prouty served as a technical adviser to Oliver Stone's 1991 film JFK. He was the inspiration for the mysterious "X" (played by Donald Sutherland), who assists Jim Garrison in the movie.[18]

Later life[edit]

Colonel Prouty died on June 5, 2001, at the Inova Alexandria Hospital in Alexandria, Virginia. His funeral service was held the next day at the Fort Myer Chapel, and he was subsequently buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.[19]

Controversy[edit]

As a critic of the CIA, Prouty pointed out its influence in global matters, outside the realm of U.S. congressional and government oversight. His works detailed the formation and development of the CIA, the origins of the Cold War, the U-2 incident, the Vietnam War, and the John F. Kennedy assassination. Prouty wrote that he believed Kennedy's assassination was a coup d'état, and that there is a secret, global "power elite," which operates covertly to protect its interests—and in doing so has frequently subverted democracy around the world.[2]

Alexander Butterfield[edit]

On July 12, 1975, prior to closed-door questioning by the staff of the House Select Intelligence Committee, Prouty told reporters that Alexander Butterfield was a contact for the CIA at the White House.[20] He said he had learned the information over four years earlier from E. Howard Hunt while doing work for the National League of Families.[20][21] Prouty said that most federal government departments, including the Internal Revenue Service and the Treasury Department, had similar CIA contacts and that he assumed that former president Richard Nixon was aware of Butterfield's role.[20][21] Senator Frank Church said the Senate Select Committee to Study Governmental Operations with Respect to Intelligence Activities had found no evidence that the CIA planted an undercover agent within the White House or other government agencies.[20]

A few days later, Prouty partially walked back his comments in a telephone interview: "They may have told me the wrong name in order to cover up the real informer."[21] In a telephone statement to UPI that same day, Butterfield called the allegations "wholly false and defamatory" and stated that he had never met nor seen Hunt and had just recently heard of Prouty.[21] In an interview with CBS News from Eglin Air Force Base where he was serving his prison term for his involvement in the Watergate scandal, Hunt denied the allegation calling it an "unfortunate invention on Mr. Prouty's part."[22] Also interviewed by CBS, Prouty again stated it was Hunt who told him about Butterfield.[22]

In a personal letter sent to Roger Feinman at CBS News Radio on July 14, 1975, Harold Weisberg expressed his belief that "the clear inference of the Prouty connection is that as a CIA man Butterfield pulled the plug on Nixon."[23]

On July 19, Church said that his committee found that there was "no scintilla of evidence" to support Prouty's allegations, and that his committee had ruled out the possibility that Butterfield served as a liaison officer for the CIA.[24] Church also stated, "on close interrogation, Mr. Prouty is unable to substantiate his earlier statement and acknowledges this to be the case."[24]

Kennedy assassination[edit]

According to Prouty, people within the intelligence and military communities of the United States government conspired to assassinate Kennedy.[1] He maintained that their actions were a coup d'état to stop the President from taking control of the CIA after the Bay of Pigs Invasion.[1] Prouty stated that the assassination was orchestrated by Edward Lansdale ("General Y" in Oliver Stone's film JFK) and that Lansdale appeared in photographs of the "three tramps."[1]

In 1975, Prouty appeared with Richard Sprague at a news conference in New York to present what they believed was photographic evidence of a conspiracy.[25] According to Prouty, the movement of Kennedy after a bullet struck his head was consistent with a shot from the grassy knoll.[25] He also suggested that the actions of a man with an umbrella, the "Umbrella Man", were suspicious.[25]

1960 U-2 incident[edit]

In his 1973 book The Secret Team, Prouty provided an alternative view of the 1960 U-2 incident. He charged that the flight was sabotaged in such a way by anticommunist elements in our government as to cause the U-2 to lose altitude mid-flight, allowing the Soviets to shoot it down. Prouty believed the ultimate purpose of the operation was the engineering of the subsequent international incident that put an end to the increasingly amicable U.S.–Soviet relations and doomed any hope for a positive outcome between Khrushchev and Eisenhower at the Four Power Paris Summit set to begin May 16. The summit began as scheduled but quickly collapsed as a result of fallout from the incident.[26]

William Blum made his own case for Prouty's version of events in his own book, Killing Hope, published in 2008.[26]

Prouty's version of events was rejected by former CIA director Richard Helms, Richard Bissell, Walter Pfoigheimer, and other career officers of the Central Intelligence Agency. Helms commented on Prouty's reframing of the interests and outcomes of the incident, offering the following: "I simply don't believe that Prouty is accurate. There is no substance to the charge."[27] Bissell later claimed that Prouty was not authorized for access to U-2 information and said, "I don't see what information there could have been aboard that aircraft that could have helped the Russians" to bring down Powers' U2.[27]

Antisemitic association[edit]

Prouty was a featured speaker at the 1990 convention of the Liberty Lobby.[28] Prouty was also named to the advisory board for the Lobby's Populist Action Committee. Prouty also sold the reprint rights for The Secret Team to the Noontide Press, the publishing arm for the Institute for Historical Review, a holocaust denial organization.[29][28]

Prouty denied having known of the racist and antisemitic associations of the Lobby, noted that he also spoke at a ceremony at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, and assured Oliver Stone "... that he was neither a racist nor an anti-Semite... but merely a writer in need of a platform."[citation needed] In a response to an article about Prouty in Esquire, which he labeled a "character assassination," Stone lamented Prouty's association with the Liberty Lobby but questioned its relevance to Prouty's reliability as a source.[30] In an obituary in The Guardian, Michael Carlson wrote that "[a]lthough Prouty himself never espoused such [anti-semitic] beliefs, the connection enabled critics to dismiss his later writings."[1]

Awards[edit]

Prouty was awarded many decorations during his distinguished career in national and public service:

Bibliography[edit]

External videos
video icon Col. Prouty delivers a lecture in Portland following the release of the JFK film by Oliver Stone and his own book by the same title (1993), via YouTube. 116 mins.

Books[edit]

Book contributions[edit]

Encyclopedic[edit]

  • "Railroad Engineering." McGraw-Hill Scientific Encyclopedia.
  • "Foreign Railroad Technology." In: McGraw-Hill Scientific Yearbook-1982.

Articles[edit]

Letters to the editor[edit]

Letters

Remarks on the 1960 U-2 incident involving Francis Gary Powers.

Replies

Filmography[edit]

Documentaries[edit]

Media appearances[edit]

  • Tomorrow with Tom Snyder: JFK Assassination. NBC (April 15, 1975) [56 min.]
One in this series of late-night topical interview programs hosted by Tom Snyder. This installment, occurring on the 110th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's death, focuses on the assassination of President John F. Kennedy and the many ongoing questions surrounding his death. Panelists include: forensic pathologist Cyril Wecht, attorney Bernard Fensterwald, and retired Air Force Colonel L. Fletcher Prouty, who served as Chief of Special Operations for the Joint Chiefs of Staff under Kennedy.[32]

Interviews[edit]

Produced by Jim Grapek for Prevailing Winds Research, this interview was conducted by John Judge and took place in Colonel Prouty's home in Alexandria, Virginia.
This interview session is featured on the 2-disc JFK: Special Edition, released on DVD in 2001.

References[edit]

  1. Jump up to:a b c d e f Carlson, Michael. "L Fletcher Prouty: US officer obsessed by the conspiracy theory of President Kennedy's assassination" (obituary). The Guardian (June 21, 2001). Archived from the original.
  2. Jump up to:a b "JFK: The CIA, Vietnam, and the Plot to Assassinate John F. Kennedy". Publishers Weekly. August 31, 1992.
  3. Jump up to:a b c d "L. Fletcher Prouty." In: Gale Literature: Contemporary Authors. Farmington Hills, MI: Gale (February 19, 2003). Gale In Context: BiographyGale H1000080064.
  4. Jump up to:a b c d e "Leroy Fletcher Prouty Jr, 1917–2001." Ancestry.com. (subscription required). Accessed July 28, 2021.
  5. Jump up to:a b Staff writer. "Leroy Letcher Prouty, Jr." (obituary). Washington Post (January 9, 2001). Archived from the original.
  6. ^ Staff writer. "Forester's Group Votes Faith in Commissioner." Boston Globe (January 29, 1937), p. 12.
  7. ^ "The Index" (PDF)University of Massachusetts Amherst Yearbook. 1937. p. 158. ...we decided to elect temporary class officers. Several glorified neophytes were nominated and after the ballots were counted we found that a tall youth from Springfield, Fletcher Prouty, had been elected President; and a pretty brunette from Pittsfield, Betty Bates had been elected Vice President.
  8. ^ Prouty, L. Fletcher. "Transportation at the Crossroads." Traffic Quarterly, vol. 35, no. 3 (July 1981), pp. 385–399. ISSN 0041-0713OCLC 33850586.
  9. ^ "Leroy Fletcher Prouty, Jr. - Colonel, United States Air Force". 18 February 2023.
  10. ^ JFK: The CIA, Vietnam, and the Plot to Assassinate John F. KennedyCarol Publishing Group. 1992. pp. 173–174. ISBN 1559721308OL 8612479M.
  11. ^ Ratcliffe, David. Interview with L. Fletcher Prouty, at his home (audio). (1989).
  12. ^ "A good example of these other paths is Criminal Politics, where Lawrence Patterson and his cohorts, including Eustace Mullins and Fletcher Prouty, scour the world for evidence of conspiracies within the world's power structure." Danky, Jim, and John Cherney, "An outpouring of right-wing publications cover all social issues", St. Louis Journalism Review, 25.n179 (Sept 1995): 27(1). InfoTrac OneFile. Thomson Gale.
  13. Jump up to:a b Wright, Lawrence (February 14, 2011). "The Apostate; Paul Haggis vs. the Church of Scientology"The New Yorker. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
  14. Jump up to:a b Prouty, L. Fletcher. Scientology affidavit(February 1, 1985). Archived from the original.
  15. Jump up to:a b Sappell, Joel; Welkos, Robert (June 24, 1990). "The Making of L. Ron Hubbard: Creating the Mystique." Los Angeles Times, p. A38:1
  16. ^ "The Church Of Scientology, Fact-Checked"NPR. February 8, 2011. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
  17. ^ "Masthead of Freedom Magazine" (PDF)Freedom. Vol. 18, no. 4. Church of Scientology. p. 3. Retrieved June 15, 2023.
  18. ^ Toplin, Robert Brent (1 January 1996). "JFK"History by Hollywood: The Use and Abuse of the American Past. Urbana, Illinois: University of Illinois Press. pp. 50–51. ISBN 978-0-252-06536-1.
  19. ^ "Burial Detail: Prouty, Leroy Fletcher (Section 66, 6580)"ANC ExplorerArlington National Cemetery.
  20. Jump up to:a b c d "Butterfield called CIA contact in White House"Chicago Tribune. Vol. 129, no. 193 (Final ed.). July 12, 1975. Section 1, page 2. Retrieved June 19, 2017.
  21. Jump up to:a b c d "Ex-CIA contact alters story on Butterfield"Chicago Tribune. Vol. 129, no. 196 (Final ed.). UPI. July 15, 1975. Section 1, page 2. Retrieved June 19, 2017.
  22. Jump up to:a b "Hunt Denies Linking Butterfield, C.I.A." The New York Times. July 17, 1975. p. 14. Retrieved June 20, 2017.
  23. ^ Weisberg, HaroldPersonal letter to Roger Feinman, CBS News Radio (July 14, 1975). Harold Weisberg Collection at Hood College.
  24. Jump up to:a b "Find No CIA Tie to Butterfield; Senate Panel Clears Him"Chicago Tribune. Vol. 129, no. 200 (Final ed.). July 19, 1975. Section 1, page 3. Retrieved June 19, 2017.
  25. Jump up to:a b c "2 Claim Conspiracy Proof in JFK's Death"Milwaukee Sentinel. UPI. September 4, 1975. p. 3. Retrieved January 18, 2013.[permanent dead link]
  26. Jump up to:a b Jacques, Geoffrey (Spring 2016). Review of Bridge of Spies, by Steven Spielberg, Marc Platt, Kristie Macosko Krieger. Cinéaste, vol. 41, no. 2. p. 51. JSTOR 26356500.
  27. Jump up to:a b Powell, Dave (Jun. 8, 1974). Helms may have been confident that Prouty was wrong because Helms was in the know of how the Soviets were aware of how to shoot down a U-2; information about the U-2's operating a;ltitude may have been provided by Lee Harvey Oswald while posing as a US Marine defector. "JFK's Murder, Ex-agent Claims." National Insider, vol. 24, no. 23.
  28. Jump up to:a b Berlet, ChipRight Woos Left: Populist Party, LaRouchite, and Other Neo-fascist Overtures To Progressives, And Why They Must Be Rejected. Political Research Associates (February 27, 1999)
  29. ^ Anson, Robert Sam (November 1991). "The Shooting of JFK". Esquire.
  30. ^ Stone, Oliver (December 1991). "Esquire Letter: Stone Shoots Back". Esquire.
  31. ^ Steinberg, Jeffrey. "Unique View of JFK Assassination." Review of JFK: The CIA, Vietnam, and the Plot to Assassinate John F. Kennedy by L. Fletcher Prouty. Executive Intelligence Review, vol. 19, no. 45 (November 13, 1992). Full Issue.
  32. ^ Beyond JFK: The Question of Conspiracy (1992). Directed by Barbara Kopple & Danny Schechter. 90 min. Tomorrow with Tom Snyder: JFK Assassination (TV).”The Paley Center for Media. Archived from the original.

Further reading[edit]

External links[edit]