Donald Trump being helped off stage at a campaign event.
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A FORMER Secret Service agent has highlighted that Donald Trump’s troubled rally in Butler last summer might have ended in greater disaster if not for the swift actions of a specialized team present at the event.

Criticism was directed at the agency after Trump became a target, with analysts asserting that the U.S. faced an unprecedented security challenge similar to the attempted assassination of Ronald Reagan over forty years ago.

Donald Trump being helped off stage at a campaign event.
Trump escaped death after being shot at his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, in July last yearCredit: AP
Photo of Thomas Matthew Crooks, the suspect in an assassination attempt.
Wannabe-assassin Thomas Crooks was killed by a countersniper after firing eight roundsCredit: AP

Thomas Crooks, a 20-year-old lone attacker, fired eight shots using a semi-automatic AR-15 rifle at then-candidate Trump on July 13, 2024, resulting in a minor ear injury.

Ten days after the shooting, Kimberly Cheatle resigned after coming under an intense barrage of scrutiny. 

The agency has since undergone a series of reforms and six agents were suspended without pay.

Donald Lane, who worked for the Secret Service between 1996 and 2016, revealed all former agents felt a sense of hurt over what unfolded. 

“Former agents took it personally,” he told The U.S. Sun. 

“It hurts us when something like this happens.” 

Firefighter Corey Comperatore died trying to protect his family as shots rained down, but Lane warned the consequences could’ve been more fatal.

“Even with the counter sniper team there, we almost lost candidate Trump,” he said.

“I think, without the counter sniper team being present, you very possibly would’ve seen a catastrophic loss of life. 

“There’s no telling. If the agents didn’t react in a timely manner, you could’ve seen Crooks get more shots away and potentially strike the then-former president.”

US President Donald Trump said Russia just wanted to -keep killing people- and hinted at sanctions after Moscow launched its largest ever drone and missile attack on Ukraine in the three-year-old war-

Lane welcomed the changes to the agency that have taken place over the past year, but highlighted the areas where the Secret Service must go further.

Secret Service bosses have ramped up security precautions. 

A new aviation division has since been created and communication procedures have been updated.

“Unfortunately sometimes it takes tragedies for lessons to be learned – similar to what happened after 9/11,” Lane said.

Who was Thomas Matthew Crooks?

Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, tried to kill Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024.

Who is Thomas Matthew Crooks?

  • Thomas Matthew Crooks left few clues about his identity, and investigators said he did not have a social media presence.
  • What is known is Crooks was from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, a small suburb about 30 minutes south of Pittsburgh.
  • He lived with his parents, Mary Elizabeth Crooks and Matthew Brian Crooks.
  • The Crooks have been licensed professional counselors since 2002, according to the Pennsylvania Department of State Licensing System Verification service.
  • Thomas Matthew Crooks attended and graduated from Bethel Park High School in 2022.
  • In May 2024, Crooks graduated from the Community College of Allegheny County with an associate degree in engineering science, the school revealed.
  • Crooks was previously employed as a dietary aide at Bethel Park Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
  • He was a registered Republican but made a small $15 donation to a progressive political group in January 2021.
  • Crooks did not have a criminal history in Pennsylvania.

How did Thomas Crooks obtain the rifle used in the shooting?

  • Federal investigators believe the AR-15-style rifle Thomas Crooks used in the shooting on July 13 was legally purchased and registered to his father.
  • Matthew Brian Crooks purchased the weapon at least six months before the Trump rally shooting, according to The Associated Press.
  • It’s unknown how the younger Crooks took possession of the firearm.
  • The Crooks family is cooperating with federal investigators.
  • Thomas Crooks also had a membership at the local shooting club, the Clairton Sportsmen’s Club, for at least a year, according to BBC.

What were Thomas Matthew Crooks’ final moments?

  • On July 12, federal investigators learned Thomas Crooks visited the Clairton Sportsmen’s Club.
  • On July 13, the day of the Trump rally in Butler, Crooks went to a Home Depot and purchased a five-foot ladder that investigators believe he used to scale a rooftop about 430 feet outside the Secret Service’s perimeter.
  • That same day, investigators said Crooks purchased 50 rounds of ammunition at a gun store and drove his Hyundai Sonata an hour north to Butler.
  • Crooks fired at least eight shots at Donald Trump and rally-goers at 6:11 pm, less than 10 minutes after the presidential candidate took the stage.
  • A Secret Service counter-sniper positioned near the stage where Trump was delivering his remarks returned fire within seconds, killing Crooks.

What was his motive behind the shooting?

  • The FBI is still working on determining a motive behind the shooting.
  • The federal agency is viewing the act as domestic terrorism.
  • Crooks is believed to have acted alone.
  • Federal officials have been able to gain access to Crooks’ cell phone, but it has yielded no clues about a motive, according to the New York Post.
  • Crooks’ cell phone and laptop have been sent to the FBI’s lab in Quantico, Virginia, for further analysis.

The Secret Service needs to continue paying attention to the fact there are bad actors in existence, according to the security expert.

“We’re not just seeing that with just political candidates, but also in the private sector,” he said.

“We need to have everyone thinking in a more safe, conscious way, rather than complacent.”

Lane admitted that complacency can be linked to the failures of the Secret Service that stemmed from Butler. 

And, he was left with a series of questions following the attempted assassination. 

“The lack of communication [between different agencies] was quite shocking,” he said.

The House report on the attempted assassination underscored the lack of communication between different agencies.

It described the communication as “fragmented.”

Unfortunately sometimes it takes tragedies for lessons to be learned – similar to what happened after 9/11

Donald Laneformer Secret Service agent

The security room agent, responsible for all communications, was assigned the role on July 11 – two days before the rally, according to an investigation conducted by the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

The agent responsible had asked to cover Jill Biden’s trip to Pittsburgh, but was assigned to the rally instead.

It also emerged that there were two different command posts at the Butler rally.

This was opposed to officials from different agencies – local, state, and federal – working out of one hub.

Different forms of communication – including text and radio – were also used. 

And, the Secret Service was accused of blocking or not reacting to 10 security requests made by Trump’s team during his 2024 campaign. 

Days after the Butler shooting, The Secret Service admitted some security requests Trump’s team had previously made were rejected.

The requests were not related to the rally in the Pennsylvanian industrial town.

But, the report was scathing in its assessment of the Secret Service.

“This was not a single error,” the dossier said.

“It was a cascade of preventable failures that nearly cost President Trump his life.”

Illustration of a Trump assassination attempt, showing the shooter's location, weapon, and Secret Service response.

‘CASCADE OF PREVENTABLE FAILURES’

Crooks unleashed his attack on Trump – hours after telling his parents at home he was going to a shooting range.

But, he went to an ammunition store in his hometown of Bethel Park. 

And, he also visited a Home Depot store to buy a ladder – although investigators discovered he didn’t use it to gain access to the roof.

Hours before the rally began, Crooks flew a drone as he surveyed the rally site.

Trump started speaking at around 6pm, but a Secret Service agent became suspicious about a man around one hour before.

Crooks had gained access to a building’s roof via an air conditioning unit and minutes before shots were heard, a cop spotted him wielding his assault rifle.

But Michael Slupe, a Butler County Sheriff, confirmed the officer was in a defenseless state. 

Shots rang out at the rally site around 6:11pm sparking a frantic response.

Trump turned his head while his security detail ordered him to get down.

Crooks was shot in the head by a counter-sniper. 

‘DUCK AND COVER’

Politicians such as JD Longo, a local mayor, told The U.S. Sun how he feared for his pregnant wife and family as shots rang out.

And, he also spoke about how some of those in attendance didn’t duck for cover when being ordered to.

“If one of us were tall enough or stood up, there’s a good chance we might’ve fallen victim to this lunatic,”he said.

He recalled how he and his wife learned she was pregnant just days before the rally, so the idea was fresh.

One year on, Secret Service chiefs admitted Butler was an “operational failure” but Comperatore’s family said the agency has “blood on its hands.”

“We were all sitting ducks that day,” she told Fox News.

“Our blood is all over their hands. I am angry. I lost the love of my life. They screwed up.”

Congressional oversight committees suggested 46 recommendations – and 21 have already been implemented.

Bosses have vowed to send additional assets to outdoor events following July 13, 2024, and the agency will identify one person who will approve all security plans.

The Secret Service has vowed to provide a unified briefing to all law enforcement bodies – ranging from the local to the federal level.

Security measures on golf courses are also being examined in light of the second assassination attempt against Trump that happened weeks after Butler. 

Secret Service agents on a rooftop during a campaign rally.
Counter snipers keep watch while stationed on a roof of a nearby buildingCredit: Getty
Law enforcement sharpshooters on a rooftop with a large American flag in the background.
Sharpshooters on the roof at Trump’s second rally in Butler, PennsylvaniaCredit: Getty
Donald Trump with a bloody face after an assassination attempt.
Trump told his supporters to ‘fight’ as he gets up after being shotCredit: AP
Man in suit discussing Trump assassination attempt.
Donald Lane, a former Secret Service agent, warned that the shooting could’ve been more catastrophic were it not for the response of a specialist unitCredit: The U.S. Sun

Donald Trump Rally Shooting Timeline

Donald Trump was shot at during his Pennsylvania rally on July 13.

1 pm: Doors open at the Butler Farm Show grounds where Trump was expected to speak at 5 pm.

4:11 pm: Sean Parnell gave the opening speech.

4:35 pm: David McCormick rallied the crowd.

5:10 pm: Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, later identified as the shooter, was first identified as a person of interest.

5:30 pm: Crooks was spotted with a rangefinder.

5:30 pm: Crowds were still waiting for Trump.

5:52 pm: Crooks was spotted on the roof by Secret Service.

6:02 pm: Trump takes the stage.

6:09 pm: Two sniper teams posted on buildings to the north and south behind the rally stage repositioned and were locked on Crooks.

6:12 pm: Gunshots were fired toward the stage as Trump delivered remarks.

6:12 pm: Secret Service returns fire, confirming the shooter is dead.

6:12 pm: Trump was ushered off stage by Secret Service agents.

6:42 pm: Secret Service confirmed Trump is safe.

7:24 pm: The shooter and one rally attendee are confirmed dead by law enforcement officials.

8:42 pm: Trump confirms he was shot in the ear, sharing a statement on Truth Social.

8:49 pm: The Secret Service confirms the shooter and a rally attendee are dead. Two others remain critically injured.

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