Acting Director Ronald L. Rowe Jr. disclosed to reporters that it took Secret Service countersnipers 15.5 seconds to fire at and neutralize the gunman who injured former President Donald Trump at a Butler, Pennsylvania, political rally last month.
Rowe presented a timeline on Friday of the events leading up to the assassination attempt.
According to Rowe, the gunman shot three times towards the president at 6:11 p.m. ET on July 13. After Secret Service agents surrounded the former president, the gunman fired five more shots. A countersniper then fatally shot the gunman.
“I can confidently say that heroism was evident that day. Secret Service agents swiftly moved to the stage to shield the former president with their bodies within three seconds of the gunfire in an unwavering display of courage. The Secret Service countersniper, who eliminated the threat with one shot, saved numerous lives,” Rowe stated.
Rowe mentioned that the Secret Service started planning with local law enforcement and campaign staff for the rally on July 8, five days prior to the event. Advanced planning teams began arriving in Pittsburgh three days before the rally.
The rally site was then constructed on July 12.
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The following morning, Secret Service agents began their posts and security sweeps at the event site. Event staff were screened by the Secret Service starting at 12:30 p.m., 30 minutes before the public entrance.
Trump was backstage meeting with supporters at 5:30 p.m. Fifteen minutes later, Rowe mentioned that a Butler County Emergency Services Unit countersniper team member sent a text to the Secret Service countersniper team leader regarding a suspicious individual, along with two photos. Rowe confirmed that this individual was later identified as the attempted assassin.
Eight minutes after receiving the text, the Secret Service team leader informed countersniper teams that local law enforcement was monitoring a suspicious person outside the perimeter.
“At this point, Secret Service personnel were aware that local law enforcement was addressing a suspicious individual matter,” Rowe explained.
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Trump took the stage at 6 p.m., 11 minutes before the shots were fired.
“From what I understand at the moment, neither the Secret Service countersniper teams nor members of the former president’s security detail were aware of a man on the roof of the AGR building with a firearm,” Rowe stated. “Personnel only became aware of the assailant having a firearm upon hearing the gunshots.”
Rowe mentioned that local law enforcement handled over 100 different incidents outside of the rally, including suspicious individuals, missing children, and medical issues.