A police sniper played a critical role in thwarting an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump by shooting and damaging the gunman’s weapon, according to a report by Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins. The sniper’s precise shot, which disrupted Thomas Matthew Crooks’s rifle and aim, helped prevent further casualties during the attack in Butler, Pennsylvania. Shortly after, a Secret Service sharpshooter fatally shot Crooks.
The incident, which occurred during Trump’s rally on July 13, 2023, saw Crooks fire at Trump from a rooftop, injuring one person and critically wounding two others. The report indicates that the Butler SWAT operator fired at the gunman from approximately 100 yards away, initially knocking him off his position. However, Crooks briefly regained his stance before being killed by a Secret Service sniper.
In response to the attack, security measures around Trump have been heightened, including the provision of bulletproof glass for his rallies. Additionally, some Secret Service agents have been reassigned from President Joe Biden’s detail to increase security for Trump. This move comes amid ongoing threats against Trump, who is 78 years old.
The reassignment of agents was facilitated by Biden’s reduced travel schedule following his withdrawal from the election race. Kimberly Cheatle, the former director of the Secret Service, resigned on July 23, 2023, following criticism from the House Oversight Committee regarding the agency’s handling of the assassination attempt and the gunman’s suspicious behavior.
The FBI is currently investigating the security lapses surrounding the incident, with political leaders in Congress also examining the events that led to the attack. The situation has underscored the need for enhanced protective measures for high-profile individuals in the face of emerging threats.