An analysis of footage from a rally in Pennsylvania revealed that the gunman who attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump fired eight shots in under six seconds before being shot and killed by a U.S. Secret Service sniper. The gunman, identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, killed one rally attendee and injured two others. Former President Trump suffered a 2-cm-wide wound from a bullet that grazed his ear.
During a House Committee on Homeland Security hearing, Pennsylvania State Police Col. Christopher L. Paris testified that eight casings were recovered from the gunman’s location. Video and audio analysis showed that the gunman fired eight shots in approximately 5.2 seconds, consistent with the use of an AR-15-style rifle. The final two shots were likely from law enforcement and came from different firearms and locations.
Social media footage revealed that rally attendees were injured as shots were fired, with one man killed while trying to shield his family from the gunfire. Following the shooting, Kimberly Cheatle resigned from her position as director of the U.S. Secret Service and an acting director was appointed until a permanent replacement is chosen.
Multiple investigations into the shooting are underway, including probes by the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security’s inspector general. House Speaker Mike Johnson and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries have announced the creation of a bipartisan task force to investigate the assassination attempt, and President Biden has ordered an independent review of the rally’s security situation.
The timeline of events from when the gunman was spotted to when shots rang out during the Trump assassination attempt is being closely examined by authorities to determine the series of events that led to this violent incident. The safety and security protocols at such events are being reevaluated to prevent future occurrences of violence during political rallies.
