Acting Director Ronald L. Rowe Jr. shared with reporters that it took Secret Service countersnipers 15.5 seconds to respond and eliminate the gunman who injured former President Donald Trump at a political rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, last month.
Rowe provided a detailed timeline on Friday regarding the events leading up to the assassination attempt. He mentioned that the gunman fired three shots towards the president at 6:11 p.m. ET on July 13. Following this, five more shots were fired by the gunman after Secret Service agents surrounded the former president. The threat was neutralized by a countersniper who fatally shot the gunman.
“There was undeniably heroism displayed that day. Within three seconds of hearing gunshots, Secret Service agents rushed to shield the former president, showing incredible bravery. The countersniper who eliminated the threat with a single shot saved numerous lives,” Rowe stated.
Rowe explained that preparations for the rally began on July 8, five days prior to the event. Advanced planning teams arrived in Pittsburgh three days before the rally. The rally site was constructed on July 12.
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On the morning of the event, Secret Service agents began their security protocols, with screening of event staff starting at 12:30 p.m., 30 minutes before the public was allowed in. Trump was backstage meeting with supporters at 5:30 p.m. in a secured area. At 5:45 p.m., a member of the Butler County Emergency Services Unit countersniper team alerted the Secret Service countersniper team leader about a suspicious individual, later identified as the assailant.
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Trump took the stage at 6 p.m., 11 minutes before the shots were fired. According to Rowe, neither the Secret Service countersniper teams nor the former president’s security detail were aware of the gunman on the roof with a firearm until the gunshots were heard.
Rowe mentioned that local law enforcement handled over 100 different incidents outside the rally, including suspicious individuals, missing children, and medical emergencies.
