Sniper's Heroic Shot Thwarted Attack on Trump, Investigation Reveals
A police sniper may have prevented a tragedy by taking down the weapon of an individual attempting to assassinate Donald Trump, according to a recent investigation. The report, conducted by Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins, reveals that the sniper’s precise shot damaged the rifle of Thomas Matthew Crooks, disrupting his aim as he fired his first shots during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
As Crooks aimed at Trump on July 13, the Butler SWAT team member, stationed 100 yards away, acted swiftly. He moved into a clear shooting position, directly into the line of fire, and fired a single shot that struck Crooks’ weapon, temporarily knocking him off balance. However, Crooks quickly regained his position before being fatally shot by a Secret Service sniper moments later.
The incident, which tragically claimed the life of one crowd member and critically injured two others, has led to heightened security measures around Trump. US media reports indicate that some Secret Service agents assigned to President Joe Biden have been temporarily reassigned to Trump’s detail. This reassignment is reportedly linked to increased threats against the former president, particularly as Biden’s reduced travel schedule has created an opportunity to bolster Trump’s security team.
In response to the attack, Trump will now be protected by bulletproof glass at outdoor rallies, a measure that was not in place during the Butler event where a bullet nearly struck him in the head.
The fallout from the incident has been significant, with the director of the Secret Service, Kimberly Cheatle, resigning on July 23. Her resignation followed a contentious hearing at the US House of Representatives, where members of the House Oversight Committee expressed frustration over the lack of detailed answers regarding the security lapses and the response to suspicious behavior leading up to the shooting.
As investigations by the FBI and Congress continue, the focus remains on understanding how Crooks, a 20-year-old gunman, was able to fire eight shots from a rooftop just outside the rally’s security perimeter. The inquiries aim to prevent such a breach from happening again and to hold those responsible for any failures in the protection of the former president accountable.
