Thomas Matthew Crooks managed to walk into Donald Trump’s election rally in Pennsylvania armed with a gun, explosives, and a rangefinder, aiming to measure the distance to his target. The aftermath of the July 13 shooting exposes a meticulously planned attack and a series of security lapses that enabled its execution.
Congressional Hearings Uncover Gaps
This week, three congressional hearings were held, featuring testimonies from the head of the FBI, the director of the Secret Service, and Pennsylvania’s state police chief. These hearings have shed light on the attempt on Trump’s life, what went wrong, and the important unanswered questions that remain.
Detailed Preparations
Crooks’ attack was not a spur-of-the-moment decision; it was methodically planned. The FBI revealed that Crooks registered to attend Trump’s rally on July 6 and began researching the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, even googling, “How far away was Oswald from Kennedy?” FBI Director Christopher Wray explained to the House Judiciary Committee that these searches indicated Crooks’ intent and state of mind, becoming increasingly focused on Trump.
Working alone, without any external help, Crooks conducted reconnaissance using a drone to survey the rally site, capturing footage that would provide a “rear-view mirror of the scene” behind his firing position. He legally purchased an AR-15-style rifle from his father, which had a collapsible stock for easier concealment. As the rally began, state police officers noticed him using a rangefinder, a tool for measuring distance to a target.
Crooks had also acquired explosives; two crude devices with receivers were found in his car, while a transmitter was found on his body. A bloodied receipt for a 5ft ladder suggested a recent purchase, though no ladder was found at the scene. It was noted that Crooks used “mechanical equipment” to reach his perch.
Execution of the Plan
Despite the extensive security measures at the rally, Crooks managed to infiltrate the venue. The site had two layers of security: an outer area patrolled by state police and an inner perimeter manned by Secret Service agents, including an anti-sniper team on a roof behind the stage. However, communication was poor and areas of responsibility were unclear.
Pennsylvania’s police commissioner, Christopher Paris, revealed that the state police were responsible for the area around the AGR International warehouse, from where Crooks fired. Despite raising the risk before the rally, state police were told by the Secret Service that it was a state police matter. Consequently, a local SWAT-style Emergency Services Unit (ESU) team was stationed inside the building, although it consisted of only two men who stayed inside due to the hot weather.
Kimberly Cheatle, the now-former director of the Secret Service, admitted she could not explain why no one was stationed on the roof.
Security Failures
Crooks was first spotted by the state police ESU unit walking around outside the venue, not attempting to enter. He was flagged as suspicious but not challenged. About 25 minutes before the rally began, he was seen again using his rangefinder, but no gun was reported. A photograph of Crooks was sent to the joint operations room, but agents did not consider him a significant threat without a visible weapon.
Cheatle acknowledged that her agents were informed about Crooks at least twice before the shooting but only realized the severity of the threat seconds before the gunfire began. Local police, including the ESU team, began searching for Crooks but lost track of him despite his growing threat. Witnesses saw a man with a gun crawling along a roof as Trump was already on stage.
Eventually, local traffic police and the ESU team spotted Crooks on the roof. A traffic officer who attempted to confront him was forced to retreat. Seconds later, the shooting began. Trump was quickly surrounded by agents and evacuated from the stage within two minutes. Crooks was shot dead by a sniper.
Aftermath and Investigation
Eight bullet casings were found near Crooks’ body. He had killed one crowd member and injured two others. Speculation arose about whether Trump was hit by a bullet. The FBI later confirmed that Trump was indeed wounded by a round from Crooks’ rifle.
Motive Remains Unclear
More than a week after the incident, Crooks’ motive remains unknown. FBI Director Wray stated that determining a motive is a central question of their investigation. Despite interviews with Crooks’ associates and searches of his home and online history, no clear picture has emerged. His phone searches showed a wide range of news articles with no discernible pattern, and investigators are still decrypting messages on his phone.
While Crooks had donated $15 to a Democratic Party platform shortly after the Capitol riot of 2021 and later registered as a Republican, no manifesto has been found. The purpose of his explosives remains unclear, as they were not viable for remote detonation.
Unanswered Questions and Resignation
The public still lacks a comprehensive account of the Secret Service’s actions during the rally. Cheatle, who resigned following her congressional hearing, provided limited answers, and it appears that the full story may remain elusive for some time.
