Thomas Matthew Crooks, the gunman behind the assassination attempt on US presidential candidate Donald Trump, exploited significant security gaps leading up to the attack. According to The Wall Street Journal, Crooks flew a drone to capture aerial footage of the western Pennsylvania fairgrounds shortly before Trump’s scheduled speech. Following a pre-programmed flight path, the drone surveyed the Butler Farm Show grounds on July 13, indicating multiple reconnaissance flights to gather detailed information about the event site.
Crooks began researching the rally site immediately after the Trump campaign announced the event on July 3, registering for it on July 7. He initially visited the farm show grounds shortly after that for further reconnaissance. On the day of the rally, Crooks returned with two homemade bombs equipped with receivers similar to those used for fireworks, designed for remote detonation. These rudimentary explosives were found in his car near the grounds, along with a ballistic vest containing three 30-round magazines, suggesting an intent to cause extensive harm.
The incident underscores critical security lapses, raising concerns about event safety for high-profile political figures.
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