Close Menu
The Politics
    What's Hot

    Jane Birkin’s original Hermès bag sells for £7m at Sotheby’s auction

    July 10, 2025

    Wife describes moments after finding out husband was trapped under collapsed tunnel

    July 10, 2025

    Musk unveils Grok 4 update a day after xAI chatbot made antisemitic remarks

    July 10, 2025
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    • Demos
    • Politics
    • Buy Now
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    The Politics
    Subscribe
    Thursday, July 10
    • Home
    • Breaking
    • World War
    • World
      • Africa
      • Americas
      • Asia Pacific
      • Europe
    • Sports
    • Politics
    • Business
    • Entertainment
    • Health
    • Tech
    • Weather
    The Politics
    Home»Timeline of Trump shooting shows Secret Service was aware of suspicious person 20 minutes before assassination attempt

    Timeline of Trump shooting shows Secret Service was aware of suspicious person 20 minutes before assassination attempt

    Justin M. LarsonBy Justin M. LarsonJuly 10, 2025No Comments12 Mins Read
    Share Facebook Twitter Pinterest Copy Link LinkedIn Tumblr Email VKontakte Telegram
    Share
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Copy Link


    Despite the 90-degree heat, on Saturday, July 13, thousands descended on Pennsylvania’s Butler Farm Show, which is a roughly 100-acre fairground used for agricultural exhibitions. They were excited to see former President Donald Trump, who had spoken at the site before.

    Butler County voted overwhelmingly for Trump in 2020, so the crowd was expected to be as friendly as you’d find in the country. 

    But things took a sudden, deadly turn minutes after the former president and presumptive Republican nominee began speaking. 

    Here’s a timeline of attempted assassination of Trump, as new details are learned from the investigation:

    5:51 p.m.: Secret Service is notified of suspicious person 

    Twenty minutes before the shooting, the U.S. Secret Service was notified by the Pennsylvania State Police of a suspicious person with a rangefinder on the ground, according to three sources familiar with a briefing to members of Congress on Wednesday. 

    5:52 p.m.: Secret Service shares information about suspicious person 

    The Secret Service disseminated information about the suspicious person with the rangefinder to the counter-sniper team and response agents on the ground, according to the three sources.

    At this point, local law enforcement did not know the suspicious person had a gun, according to a local law enforcement officer and the Butler County sheriff.

    6:02 p.m.: Trump takes the stage

    Donald Trump stepped up to the podium on stage at 6:02 p.m. local time and began speaking to the crowd. 

    6:09 p.m.: People alert officers to the gunman

    People alerted law enforcement to the gunman on the roof of a building about 410 feet away from the stage, at least two minutes before the first shot was fired at Trump, video analyzed by CBS News shows.

    The video provides insight into the chaotic minutes leading up to the attempted assassination of the former president and raises questions about the preparedness of law enforcement regarding the building.

    “Look, they’re all pointing. Someone’s on top of the roof,” a person says as at least one law enforcement officer walks around the building. “There he is, right there. Right there, see him? He’s laying down.” 

    Another person appears to gesture to the officer, “He’s on the roof … right here, right on the roof.”

    As one witness later described it, “We noticed a guy crawling, you know, bear-crawling up the roof of the building beside us, 50 feet away from us. … So we’re standing there, you know, we’re pointing at the guy crawling up the roof.” The witness added, “He had a rifle — we could clearly see him with a rifle.”

    Map shows location of the shooting site at Trump rally

    This image shows the location of the shooting site, about 400 feet from the stage, at a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024.

    Google Earth/CBS News


    Butler County Sheriff Michael Slupe said that shortly before the shooting, an armed officer tried to reach the gunman but had to fall back.

    “All I know is the officer had both hands up on the roof to get up onto the roof,” Slupe told CBS Pittsburgh station KDKA, but the officer never made it “because the shooter had turned towards the officer.”

    “And rightfully and smartfully, the officer let go,” Slupe said. After that, the shooter turned his rifle back toward the rally, Slupe said. 

    6:11:21 – 6:11:32 p.m.: An officer walks around the building; people spot the shooter and start to flee 

    More videos show the chaotic moments before the shooting. Exactly 12 seconds before the first shot was fired, video shows an officer walking around the building. 

    Another video, which begins at 6:11:28 p.m. — five seconds before the first shot is fired — shows people yelling that the man on the roof has a gun. It shows people running to flee the gunman. 

    In yet another video, people are seen spotting the shooter at 6:11:29 p.m., exactly four seconds before he opens fire. It shows people yelling that the shooter is “right here.”

    Video also shows the Secret Service snipers behind Trump pointing their rifles in the direction of the shooter. One sniper appears to spot something about one second before the first shot rings out. 

    6:11:33 p.m.: First shot fired

    As Trump was talking about immigration, the first shot from the would-be assassin was fired.

    6:11:34 p.m.: Two more shots fired

    The second and third shots from the sniper came one second later. All three shots came from Trump’s right.

    6:11:37 p.m.: More gunshots heard

    Three seconds later, several rapid gunshots are heard. At least three more shots were fired, followed by what sounded like an outgoing shot, as the crowd erupted into screams.

    Video recorded by a member of the audience shows Secret Service snipers appearing to aim in the direction of the gunman. A final shot is heard 15 seconds later.

    The Secret Service sniper who neutralized the gunman fired one round and was assisted by a spotter, according to two federal law enforcement officials with knowledge of the response to the shooting. It was not immediately clear which of the shots heard in the video was the one that took out the gunman.

    Secret Service agents surrounded Trump, who was grazed in the ear, as blood ran down his face. It took a minute and a half to get the former president off the stage. 

    Donald Trump injured in shooting at campaign rally in Pennsylvania

    Donald Trump is seen with blood on his face, surrounded by Secret Service agents, as he is taken off the stage after a shooting at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, July 13, 2024. 

    REBECCA DROKE/AFP via Getty Images


    As Secret Service agents tried to hustle him into his waiting SUV, Trump defiantly raised his fist several times and seemed to say, “Fight.” 

    Some people in the crowd turned their attention to three others who’d been shot. The victims included 50-year-old Corey Comperatore — a firefighter, father and big fan of Donald Trump. He was shot in the head and killed.

    “I asked Corey’s wife if it would be OK for me to share that we spoke,” Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said at a news conference the next day. “She said yes. She also asked that I share with all of you that Corey died a hero, that Corey dove on his family to protect them last night at this rally. Corey was the very best of us. May his memory be a blessing.”

    Two other people — David Dutch, 57, and James Copenhaver, 74 — were critically wounded. CBS News has learned one of the victims is in a medically-induced coma. 

    6:14 p.m.: Trump leaves rally site

    Trump and his protective detail left the rally site about two and a half minutes after the last gunshots were heard, according to three sources familiar with a law enforcement briefing to members of Congress on Wednesday. He was evacuated to Butler Memorial Hospital. 

    6:40 p.m.: Emergency room cleared 

    The emergency room was cleared and Trump began receiving treatment, according to the three sources.

    8:13 p.m.: President Biden speaks out against violence

    President Biden made a statement in Delaware, where he had been spending the weekend. 

    “There’s no place in America for this kind of violence,” Mr. Biden said. “It’s sick. It’s sick. It’s one of the reasons we have to unite this country. We cannot allow for this to be happening. We cannot be like this. We cannot condone this.”

    Afterward, Mr. Biden returned to the White House, where he was briefed on the assassination attempt. 

    8:42 p.m.: Trump posts he’s been shot in his ear

    Trump wrote on Truth Social: “I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear. I knew immediately something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin. Much bleeding took place.”

    8:50 p.m.: Trump leaves hospital 

    Trump left the hospital around 8:50 p.m., according to three sources familiar with a briefing to members of Congress.

    10:30 p.m.: Crime scene, investigation turned over to FBI 

    Hours after the shooting, the Secret Service turned over the crime scene and investigation to the FBI, according to the three sources familiar with the briefing to lawmakers. 

    10:49 p.m.: Trump arrives at airport 

    Shortly before 11 p.m., Trump arrived at the Pittsburgh-Butler Regional Airport. He was “held in place” there, according to the three sources. 

    11:21 p.m.: Trump heads to New Jersey

    After a hold of just over 30 minutes, Trump and others flying with him left the Pittsburgh-Butler Regional Airport, en route to New Jersey, according to the three sources familiar with the briefing to lawmakers. 

    1:20 a.m. Sunday: FBI identifies the gunman

    Early Sunday morning, the FBI identified the gunman as Thomas Matthew Crooks. He was 20 years old and lived in Bethel, Pennsylvania, about 50 miles from the rally site. He graduated with an associate’s degree in engineering science from a community college and worked at a nursing and rehabilitation center. 

    So far, investigators say his motive is not known. They say he appears to have acted alone, and they have not found any clear indication of his intentions or threats in his social media accounts.

    Investigators throughout the night and morning searched the suspect’s home and car. They said they found suspicious devices in his home and vehicle that were rendered safe by bomb technicians.



    Suspect in Trump rally shooting had explosive materials in vehicle, source says

    04:17

    A former classmate at Bethel Park High School told CBS News that Crooks tried out for the high school’s rifle team but failed to make it. Jameson Myers described him as “a normal boy” and a “nice kid who never talked poorly of anyone,” and added, “I never have thought him capable of anything I’ve seen him do in the last few days.”

    7:36 a.m.: Trump thanks people for their prayers 

    Sunday morning, Trump posted a message on Truth Social thanking people for their thoughts and prayers, saying “it was God alone who prevented the unthinkable from happening.”

    “We will FEAR NOT, but instead remain resilient in our Faith and Defiant in the face of Wickedness,” Trump wrote, saying he was praying for the recovery of the people who were killed and wounded in the shooting. 

    “In this moment, it is more important than ever that we stand United, and show our True Character as Americans, remaining Strong and Determined, and not allowing Evil to Win,” Trump wrote.

    10:21 a.m.: Melania Trump calls the shooter “a monster”

    Melania Trump also issued a statement on social media. 

    “America, the fabric of our gentle nation is tattered, but our courage and common sense must ascend and bring us back together as one,” the former first lady said.

    She said that when she watched the “violent bullet” strike her husband, she realized that her life and that of the couple’s son Barron was “on the brink of devastating change.”

    “A monster who recognized my husband as an inhuman political machine attempted to ring out Donald’s passion – his laughter, ingenuity, love of music and inspiration,” Melania wrote.

    2:09 p.m.: Trump says he’s going to Milwaukee

    Trump confirmed on Truth Social that he was flying to Wisconsin as planned to attend the Republican National Convention, which kicks off Monday.

    “Based on yesterday’s terrible events, I was going to delay my trip to Wisconsin, and The Republican National Convention, by two days, but have just decided that I cannot allow a “shooter,” or potential assassin, to force change to scheduling, or anything else,” Trump wrote. 

    “Therefore, I will be leaving for Milwaukee, as scheduled, at 3:30 P.M. TODAY,” he added.

    8 p.m.: Biden delivers Oval Office address

    President Biden addressed the nation from the Oval Office Sunday evening.

    “We can’t allow this violence to be normalized,” Mr. Biden said. “The political rhetoric in this country has gotten very heated. It’s time to cool it down. We all have a responsibility to do that.” 

    He added that “politics must never be a literal battlefield, God forbid, a killing field.” 

    The president cited a number of violent political acts in recent years, including the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the Capitol, a foiled plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, the attack on the husband of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and the intimidation of election officials. 

    “In America, we resolve our differences” at the ballot box, Mr. Biden said, “not with bullets.”

    The FBI says it has received more than 2,600 tips so far. Investigators are now working on that timeline in reverse, from the shooting and all the moments leading up to it, as they dissect the would-be assassin’s life in the days and months prior to July 13.

    4 p.m. Monday: Trump officially gets GOP presidential nomination

    On Monday afternoon, the Republican Party officially nominated Trump to be its 2024 presidential nominee, marking the third time since 2016 that Trump has been nominated. He will formally accept the nomination in a speech at the Republican National Convention Thursday night. 

    “The following candidate received the following votes: 2,387 votes for President Donald J. Trump. Let’s make it official,” House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana said, announcing that Trump “has been selected as the Republican Party nominee for president of the United States.” 

    In an interview on his way to Milwaukee for the convention Sunday night, Trump told the New York Post he was “supposed to be dead,” describing the assassination attempt as “surreal.” He said would have been killed if he hadn’t tilted his head slightly to the right to read a chart on illegal immigrants while addressing the rally. 

    “By luck or by God, many people are saying it’s by God I’m still here,” he said.

    — With reporting from CBS News’ Anna Schecter

    Trump Rally Shooting

    More

    Maurice DuBois

    Maurice DuBois is an Emmy Award-winning journalist and co-anchor of the “CBS Evening News” in New York, the flagship evening broadcast on CBS News. He brings more than three decades of experience to the newscast; the last 14 years as co-anchor of CBS New York’s (WCBS) 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. newscasts.





    Source link

    Related

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email Telegram Copy Link
    Justin M. Larson
    • Website

    Add A Comment
    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    • Africa
    • Americas
    • Asia Pacific
    • Breaking
    • Business
    • Economy
    • Entertainment
    • Europe
    • Health
    • Politics
    • Politics
    • Sports
    • Tech
    • Top Featured
    • Trending Posts
    • Weather
    • World
    • World War
    Economy News

    Jane Birkin’s original Hermès bag sells for £7m at Sotheby’s auction

    Justin M. LarsonJuly 10, 20250

    Ian YoungsCulture reporterGetty ImagesJane Birkin owned the original bag and lent her name to all…

    Wife describes moments after finding out husband was trapped under collapsed tunnel

    July 10, 2025

    Musk unveils Grok 4 update a day after xAI chatbot made antisemitic remarks

    July 10, 2025
    Top Trending

    Jane Birkin’s original Hermès bag sells for £7m at Sotheby’s auction

    Justin M. LarsonJuly 10, 20250

    Ian YoungsCulture reporterGetty ImagesJane Birkin owned the original bag and lent her…

    Wife describes moments after finding out husband was trapped under collapsed tunnel

    Justin M. LarsonJuly 10, 20250

    Wife describes moments after finding out husband was trapped under collapsed tunnel…

    Musk unveils Grok 4 update a day after xAI chatbot made antisemitic remarks

    Justin M. LarsonJuly 10, 20250

    Elon Musk on Wednesday unveiled Grok 4, a new version of his…

    Subscribe to News

    Get the latest sports news from NewsSite about world, sports and politics.

    Advertisement
    Demo
    Editors Picks

    Review: Record Shares of Voters Turned Out for 2020 election

    January 11, 2021

    EU: ‘Addiction’ to Social Media Causing Conspiracy Theories

    January 11, 2021

    World’s Most Advanced Oil Rig Commissioned at ONGC Well

    January 11, 2021

    Melbourne: All Refugees Held in Hotel Detention to be Released

    January 11, 2021
    Latest Posts

    Review: Russia’s Putin Sets Out Conditions for Peace Talks with Ukraine

    January 20, 2021

    Review: Implications of San Francisco Govts’ Green-Light Nation’s First City-Run Public Bank

    January 20, 2021

    Queen Elizabeth the Last! Monarchy Faces Fresh Demand to be Axed

    January 20, 2021
    Advertisement
    Demo
    Editors Picks

    Jane Birkin’s original Hermès bag sells for £7m at Sotheby’s auction

    July 10, 2025

    Wife describes moments after finding out husband was trapped under collapsed tunnel

    July 10, 2025

    Musk unveils Grok 4 update a day after xAI chatbot made antisemitic remarks

    July 10, 2025

    Missouri’s American Beer Act to reduce taxes on local craft breweries

    July 10, 2025
    Latest Posts

    Review: Russia’s Putin Sets Out Conditions for Peace Talks with Ukraine

    January 20, 2021

    Review: Implications of San Francisco Govts’ Green-Light Nation’s First City-Run Public Bank

    January 20, 2021

    Queen Elizabeth the Last! Monarchy Faces Fresh Demand to be Axed

    January 20, 2021
    Advertisement
    Demo
    Facebook X (Twitter) Pinterest Vimeo WhatsApp TikTok Instagram

    News

    • World
    • US Politics
    • EU Politics
    • Business
    • Opinions
    • Connections
    • Science

    Company

    • Information
    • Advertising
    • Classified Ads
    • Contact Info
    • Do Not Sell Data
    • GDPR Policy
    • Media Kits

    Services

    • Subscriptions
    • Customer Support
    • Bulk Packages
    • Newsletters
    • Sponsored News
    • Work With Us

    Subscribe to Updates

    Get the latest creative news from FooBar about art, design and business.

    © 2025 The Politics Designed by The Politics.
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms
    • Accessibility

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.