Acting Director Ronald L. Rowe Jr. informed reporters that it took Secret Service countersnipers 15.5 seconds to react and neutralize the assailant who shot former President Donald Trump at a political rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, last month.
Rowe provided a detailed timeline of the events leading up to the assassination attempt on Friday.
According to Rowe, the gunman fired three shots towards the president at 6:11 p.m. ET on July 13. Subsequently, after Secret Service agents surrounded the former president, the gunman fired five more shots before being fatally shot by a countersniper.
“I can confidently say that heroism was evident that day. Secret Service agents immediately rushed to shield the former president within three seconds of the initial gunshots in a display of unwavering bravery. The countersniper, who swiftly neutralized the threat, undoubtedly saved numerous lives,” Rowe stated.
Rowe mentioned that the Secret Service began coordinating with local law enforcement and campaign staff for the rally on July 8, five days prior to the event. Advanced planning teams started arriving in Pittsburgh three days before the rally.
The rally venue was then set up on July 12.
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The following morning, Secret Service agents started their posts and security sweeps at the rally site. Event staff screening began at 12:30 p.m., half an hour before the public was allowed to enter.
By 5:30 p.m., Trump was backstage meeting with supporters in a secure area. Fifteen minutes later, Rowe revealed that a member of the Butler County Emergency Services Unit countersniper team notified the Secret Service countersniper team leader about a suspicious individual, along with two photos. This individual was later identified as the assailant.
Eight minutes after receiving the text, the Secret Service team leader alerted countersniper teams that local law enforcement was monitoring a suspicious person outside the perimeter.
“At that moment, Secret Service personnel were aware of the local law enforcement’s attention to a suspicious individual,” Rowe added.
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Trump took the stage at 6 p.m., 11 minutes before the shots were fired.
“As far as I know, neither the Secret Service countersniper teams nor 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’s firearm when gunshots were heard.”
Rowe mentioned that local law enforcement was handling over 100 different incidents outside of the rally, including suspicious individuals, missing children, and medical issues.
