Trump shooting updates: Shooter flew drone near site hours before shooting

One spectator was killed and two were hurt in the shooting on July 13.

ByIvan Pereira, Mark Osborne, Kevin Shalvey, Emily Shapiro, and Leah Sarnoff
Video byEmmanuelle Saliba and Jessie DiMartino
Last Updated: July 15, 2024, 3:33 PM EDT

Federal authorities are investigating after former President Donald Trump was shot in the ear in an assassination attempt at an election rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13.

The alleged shooter was killed by snipers. One spectator was killed and two were hurt, officials said.

Trump Rally Shooting: Slideshow

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Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump arrives for a campaign rally, July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pa.
Evan Vucci/AP

    Latest headlines:

    Here's how the news is developing.
    Jul 15, 2024, 3:33 PM EDT

    Secret Service protection increased for Trump, adjusted for Biden

    Secret Service protection has been increased for former President Donald Trump, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said.

    The enhancement is "based on the evolving nature of threats to the former president and his imminent shift from presumptive nominee to nominee," Mayorkas said. "This includes enhancements related to securing the former president during the Republican National Convention this week. I cannot discuss specifics ... as they involve sensitive tactics and procedures. I can say, however, that personnel and other protective resources, technology and capabilities have been added."

    "Adjustments" have also been made to President Joe Biden’s and Vice President Kamala Harris’ protective details, Mayorkas said.

    -ABC News’ Justin Ryan Gomez

    Jul 15, 2024, 3:28 PM EDT

    RFK Jr. to get Secret Service protection

    Under direction from President Joe Biden, Secret Service protection will be coordinated for presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., according to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

    "In light of this weekend's events, the president has directed me to work with the Secret Service to provide protection to Robert Kennedy Jr.," Mayorkas told reporters at Monday’s White House briefing.

    Secret Service protection has also been increased for former President Donald Trump, Mayorkas said.

    Republican candidate Donald Trump is seen with what appears to be blood on his face surrounded by secret service agents as he is taken off the stage at a campaign event in Butler, Pennsylvania, July 13, 2024.
    Rebecca Droke/AFP via Getty Images

    -ABC News' Justin Fishel

    Jul 15, 2024, 3:11 PM EDT

    FBI gained access to shooter's phone, finished searching his home and car

    The FBI said it's gained access to suspected gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks’ phone and investigators are continuing to analyze his electronic devices.

    Searches of Crooks’ home and car are complete, the FBI said.

    The FBI said it’s continuing to investigate the shooting "as an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump and as potential domestic terrorism."

    Nearly 100 law enforcement officials, attendees and other witnesses have been interviewed, the FBI said. "That work continues," the FBI added.

    Jul 15, 2024, 2:50 PM EDT

    Before shooting, Crooks told his dad he was going to gun range: Source

    On the day of the shooting, the 20-year-old suspected gunman, Thomas Matthew Crooks, told his father that he wanted to go to the gun range, so his dad let him use his AR-15-style rifle, according to a source familiar with the matter.

    Crooks would occasionally go target shooting and use his father's gun, the source told ABC News. Since this wasn't an unusual occurrence, the father didn't think anything of it at the time, the source said.

    Crooks recently purchased ammunition both online and in person, the source said.

    An aerial view shows the site during the police investigation into gunfire at a campaign rally of Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump, in Butler, Pa., July 14, 2024.
    Brendan Mcdermid/Reuters

    -ABC News’ Mike Levine

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