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.

Last Updated: July 24, 2024, 11:06 AM 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.

    11:06 AM EDT

    Shooter flew drone 200 yards from site hours before shooting

    The shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, flew a drone about 200 yards from the rally venue, and had it up in the air for about 11 minutes, just hours before the shooting, FBI Director Christopher Wray told the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday.

    The drone -- which was recovered in the shooter’s car -- was flown at about 3:50 p.m., he said.

    "Let me be clear about the area -- not over the stage, and that part of the area itself, but, I would say, about 200 yards, give or take, away," he said. "And that we think, but we do not know. So again, this is one of these things that's qualified because of our ongoing review."

    PHOTO: Illustration
    This graphic shows the location of the stage at the Trump rally in Butler, Pa., on July 13, 2024, and the suspected shooter's location on a rooftop near the venue.
    ABC News

    Wray confirmed two explosive devices were recovered in Crooks’ car and one was recovered in his home.

    Wray called them "relatively crude devices," but he added, "they did have the ability to be detonated remotely."

    Crooks had a transmitter with him when he was killed by law enforcement.

    FBI Director Christopher Wray revealed more details on the suspect leading up to and after the shooting, including use of a drone and explosives found in the suspect's car
    FBI Director Christopher Wray revealed more details on the suspect leading up to and after the shooting, including use of a drone and explosives found in the suspect's car

    Wray said that based on the positioning of the on and off switch on the devices, "if he had tried to detonate those devices from the roof, it would not have worked."

    "But that doesn't mean the explosives weren't dangerous," he added.

    -ABC News’ Luke Barr

    8:12 PM EDT

    Trump calls Secret Service director resignation 'inevitable'

    Trump called U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle's resignation “inevitable" on Newsmax Tuesday evening.

    He also slammed the Secret Service for not getting to the bottom of what had happened yet.

    "I have to feel safe. Otherwise, I guess, I wouldn't be able to do this stuff," Trump said.

    "Now, they have really beefed it up. They should have beefed it up before," he said. "I know that we've been asking for them to beef it up here."

    -ABC News' Soorin Kim, Kelsey Walsh and Lalee Ibssa

    8:04 PM EDT

    Senator releases body-camera footage from rooftop shortly after assassination attempt

    Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-IA, has released body-camera footage his office obtained from the Beaver County Emergency Services Unit taken soon after the assassination attempt on Donald Trump.

    The graphic video, posted to X, shows a number of law enforcement officers standing on the roof where the shooter took his perch. The body of the deceased shooter is still there as the officers discuss the incident.

    Grassley said the video was obtained in compliance with congressional requests.

    "Bodycam footage provides more info than Secret Service will share w America," he said in the post. "We NEED detailed answers ASAP on security failures TRANSPARENCY BRINGS ACCOUNTABILITY."

    Jul 23, 2024, 6:34 PM EDT

    Secret Service encourages Trump campaign to cease outdoor rallies: Sources

    The Secret Service has recommended that Trump's campaign stop holding rallies outdoors following the assassination attempt, sources familiar with the matter told ABC News.

    The Washington Post first reported the news.

    None of the rallies planned in the coming days are scheduled to be held outdoors. Conversations about upcoming rally sites have not included any outdoor venues, the sources said.

    A campaign spokesperson did not immediately comment.

    -ABC News' John Santucci, Katherine Faulders and Luke Barr

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