In a shocking turn of events, the shooter who attempted to assassinate Donald Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania used a drone to survey the event site hours before the attack, law enforcement officials revealed.
Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, deployed a camera drone to scout the Butler Farm Show grounds on July 13, capturing aerial footage of the area, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal. This overhead view likely assisted Crooks in his planning.
The assassination attempt occurred on Saturday at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Crooks opened fire on the former president, with the bullet only grazing Trump’s ear. The Secret Service responded within 26 seconds, neutralizing Crooks “with one shot.”
Security protocol breach is under investigation
Typically, the Secret Service prohibits drones over areas they are securing. However, it is unclear if this protocol was in place at the Butler rally. Investigators discovered the drone’s flight path, potentially through electronic traces or records from DJI, the drone’s manufacturer. A drone and related equipment were found in Crooks’ vehicle, NBC reported.
Authorities also discovered a remote control transmitter, a detonator, and an improvised metal explosive device in Crooks’ car trunk, connected to a receiver. This suggests he may have planned to remotely detonate an explosion, possibly as a diversion.
Suspicious activities preceding the attack
In the 48 hours leading up to the attack, Crooks engaged in several suspicious activities. He visited a shooting range the day before the assassination attempt and stopped at a Home Depot and a gun store, where he purchased 50 rounds of ammunition and a 5-foot ladder, which investigators believe he used to climb the building from which he shot at Trump.
Motive remains unclear
The motive behind the attempt to kill Donald Trump remains unknown and is currently under investigation.
