At this moment, at Butler’s showgrounds in Washington, the atmosphere was shattered by the sound of gunfire. Donald Trump instinctively flinched and reached for his ear as the shots continued to ring out. Chaos erupted as screams filled the air, and Secret Service agents quickly shielded him from harm.
It was 6:12 PM on Saturday, July 13th, when Thomas Matthew Crooks, already deemed suspicious by police, managed to climb onto a warehouse roof, armed with an AR-15 style rifle, and aimed towards the former president. The events that unfolded in those few moments would have a profound impact on American politics, leaving the nation questioning how such a security breach could occur.
Using eyewitness testimonies, investigative reporting, and law enforcement statements, the BBC has reconstructed the events of that fateful day.
The scene at Butler Farm Show grounds was a festive one, with thousands gathered to see Trump. The sun was shining, flags waved in the breeze, and the anticipation was palpable. Among the crowd was Greg Smith, who had been enjoying a day of BBQ and beer with friends before heading to the rally. Corey Comperatore, a retired firefighter and Trump supporter, was also present with his family, eagerly awaiting the show to begin.
As the crowd gathered, Crooks, a 20-year-old with questionable motives, slipped into the event unnoticed. Despite being flagged as suspicious, he was able to climb onto a roof with his weapon, undetected by security. The moments leading up to the shooting were filled with missed opportunities to apprehend Crooks before tragedy struck.
When the first shots rang out at 6:12 PM, chaos ensued. Trump ducked for cover as more shots followed, prompting a swift response from law enforcement. The former president was shielded by Secret Service agents as the shooter was swiftly neutralized.
In the aftermath of the shooting, questions arose about the security lapses that allowed Crooks to carry out his attack. The nation was left reeling from the close call, as Trump emerged from the ordeal with a gunshot wound to his ear, but alive.