The investigation into the failed assassination attempt on former U.S. President Donald Trump has disclosed that Thomas Matthew Crooks was neutralized by a Secret Service agent with a remarkable headshot. Crooks, aged 20, attempted the assassination during a rally in Pennsylvania on July 13.
Fox News reported that Crooks was brought down by a Secret Service counter-sniper, despite having a limited view of the 'would-be assassin'. According to a source familiar with the investigation, Crooks was hidden behind the edge of a rooftop, over 140 yards from the location where the protection unit was positioned.
The source further disclosed that the shot was fired after the local team failed to neutralize the threat on their first attempt. The counter-sniper had only the scope of Crooks' gun and a few square inches of his forehead to target. The 20-year-old was taken down shortly after he had killed Pennsylvania fire chief Corey Comperatore, critically injured two others, and hit Trump in the right ear, having scaled a building 147 yards away.
Previously reported details indicate that Crooks, from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, fired at least eight shots at Trump. The former president, who was addressing thousands of supporters, suddenly grabbed his ear, his face bloodied, as the suspect fired from an AR rifle from a rooftop 130 yards away from the stage. Amid the chaos of the eight gunshots, the panicked crowd erupted in screams, and Trump was swiftly surrounded by Secret Service agents before being removed from the stage.
Calls for Kimberly Cheatle's Resignation Increase
In the aftermath of the failed assassination attempt, there has been a significant increase in calls for Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle's resignation. The House Committee on Oversight and Accountability has scheduled a hearing titled "Oversight of the U.S. Secret Service and the Attempted Assassination of President Donald J. Trump," to take place on Capitol Hill on Monday.
In a statement, Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi confirmed that Cheatle has no intentions of stepping down.
"Continuity of operations is paramount during a critical incident, and U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle has no intentions to step down. She deeply respects members of Congress and is fiercely committed to transparency in leading the Secret Service through the internal investigation and strengthening the agency through lessons learned in these important internal and external reviews," the statement read.
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