The atmosphere at Butler Farm Showgrounds was festive, filled with red, white, and blue decorations, campaign posters, and a crowd eager to witness Donald Trump’s rally. But at 18:12 on Saturday, July 13, the celebratory scene turned chaotic as shots rang out, aimed at the former president.
Instinctively, Trump flinched and ducked as his hand shot to his ear. Secret Service agents immediately surrounded him, creating a human shield as the crowd erupted in screams. The shooter, identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks from Bethel Park, had managed to climb onto a warehouse roof and fire his AR-15 style rifle towards Trump.
The shocking incident has left the nation questioning how Crooks was able to breach security and get so close to the former president. Utilizing witness accounts, law enforcement statements, and original reporting, the BBC has constructed a timeline of the events that transpired that fateful day.
The small town of Butler, Pennsylvania, was abuzz with activity in anticipation of the rally. Greg Smith, a local resident, had spent the day with friends and family before deciding to catch a glimpse of Trump. “We were hanging out, having a party. Then we were all like ‘hey, Trump’s here – let’s walk up to the rally and look at him through the fence’,” he told the BBC. “It was just a good time.”
Corey Comperatore, a 50-year-old retired volunteer firefighter and avid Trump supporter, was also in attendance with his wife and daughter. They secured a prime spot near the stage, excited for the rally to begin.
Security was tight, with local police mingling outside the event’s fences, while Secret Service agents and state police coordinated within the perimeter. Anti-sniper teams were stationed on nearby rooftops. Despite these measures, Crooks managed to blend in with the crowd.
Earlier that day, Crooks had been reported missing by his parents, who were concerned about his disappearance. At 17:10, 52 minutes before Trump was scheduled to speak, Crooks was flagged by police as a “person of interest.” However, this information was not disclosed to the public.
By 17:30, a local SWAT team noticed Crooks looking at a roof through a rangefinder, a tool used by hunters to measure distance to a target. Although no weapon was reported at the time, Crooks remained at large.
The events at Butler Showgrounds have raised serious concerns about security protocols and the measures in place to protect high-profile figures. As investigations continue, the nation grapples with the implications of this near-tragedy and the vulnerabilities it has exposed.