Trump Assassination Attempt: An Updated Timeline

Crooks as a suspicious individual but not a threat, allowing the rally to proceed.

5:40 p.m.—Shots Fired

At approximately 5:40 p.m., Mr. Crooks opens fire at the rally, targeting former President Trump. Within seconds, law enforcement officers respond and fatally shoot Mr. Crooks.

These are the latest details that have emerged about the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump. Investigations are ongoing to determine the motive behind the attack and any potential security failures that may have occurred.

Crooks appeared suspicious as he was lingering around the area in front of the AGR building but not entering the rally venue. The officer was asked to report this to the Butler emergency services command center, responsible for communication distribution. However, Mr. Johnson’s report highlighted the siloed communication between agencies, hindering immediate communication with the Secret Service about the local sniper’s observation.

Col. Paris mentioned that multiple individuals were identified as suspicious at the rally. Snipers were stationed in a building overlooking the AGR building to search for Mr. Crooks, who was deemed a threat just moments before the gunfire started. Despite being labeled as suspicious, carrying a rangefinder alone was not enough to identify Mr. Crooks as a threat.

The timeline of events leading up to the shooting included Mr. Crooks climbing onto the roof of the AGR building and onlookers pointing out the gunman before the first shot was fired. Secret Service snipers were notified of Mr. Crooks’s position on the roof approximately 90 seconds before the shooting occurred.

Moments before the shooting, a police officer attempted to approach Mr. Crooks on the roof, but the gunman aimed his weapon at the officer. Former President Trump was onstage discussing illegal immigration when the shooting took place. The events leading up to the shooting were captured on video, with onlookers alerting law enforcement to the gunman’s presence.

(Illustration by The Epoch Times)

6:11:32 p.m.—Shots Fired

The first shots are heard on camera right after former President Trump turns his head.

After the first shot rings out, the former president whips his hand to his ear, appears to notice blood, and quickly drops to the ground.

In later comments on the incident, former President Trump said he “knew something was wrong” almost immediately, particularly when he saw the blood.

According to Mr. Wray and Col. Paris, eight shell casings were recovered, indicating that Mr. Crooks fired as many rounds.

Ms. Cheatle reported that the countersniper who neutralized Mr. Crooks fired a single shot.

(Illustration by The Epoch Times)

6:11:36 p.m.—Agents Rush On Stage

Several Secret Service agents rush on to the stage, swarming former President Trump, who was still crouched behind the podium.

Some of the agents’ comments are picked up by the microphone.

“What’re we doing, what’re we doing?” one female agent says. “Where are we going?”

6:12:32 p.m.—Trump Rises

For nearly a full minute, former President Trump remained prone on the stage, his body covered by Secret Service agents.

Two Secret Service personnel carrying military grade rifles take to the stage, scanning the crowd as Secret Service agents determine their next move.

Several agents shout, “Shooter down.”

“Shooter down, are we good to move?” a female agent asks.

“Shooter’s down,” a male agent replies. “We’re good to move.”

At this point, former President Trump begins to slowly stand up, still largely covered by agents. His shirt and hair are disheveled, and streaks of blood run down the right side of his face.

As he stands up, agents continue to shield his body.

Former President Donald Trump is surrounded by U.S. Secret Service agents after he was shot. (Evan Vucci/AP Photo, Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

6:12:47 p.m.—‘Fight, Fight, Fight!’

As former President Trump stands up, he agents, “Let me get my shoes.”

Moments later, he says, “Wait, wait, wait.”

The former president then raises his fist to the crowd and is seen saying the words, “Fight, fight, fight!”

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