Federal authorities are investigating after former President Donald Trump was shot in the ear in an assassination attempt at an election rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13.
The alleged shooter was killed by snipers. One spectator was killed and two were hurt, officials said.
Trump Rally Shooting: Slideshow
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Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump arrives for a campaign rally, July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pa.
Suspected gunman seen with range finder and duffel bag before shooting, sources say
The suspected gunman at former President Donald Trump's rally Saturday was seen with a range finder and a duffel bag ahead of the deadly shooting, multiple law enforcement sources confirm to ABC News.
This 2021 photo provided by Bethel Park School District shows student Thomas Matthew Crooks who graduated from Bethel Park High School with the Class of 2022, in Bethel Park, Pa.
AP
Attendees who spotted the suspected shooter, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, with the items notified law enforcement, sources said.
Additionally, Crooks had two cell phones, one on him and a second one found at his home, sources said.
Jul 18, 2024, 8:27 PM EDT
DHS Inspector General opens 3rd probe into US Secret Service
The Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General is opening its third probe into the security that led to the assassination attempt of former President Trump.
In a statement Thursday, the agency said the third probe will investigate the U.S. Secret Service's planning and implementation activities for protective operations.
"Our objective is to determine the extent to which the Secret Service plans and implements protective activities to ensure the safety and security of designated protectees," the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General said.
The announcement follows two prior probes into the deadly shooting at Trump's rally in Pennsylvania over the weekend.
The first, announced on Tuesday, initiated a review to examine the Secret Service's process to secure the campaign event.
The second, opened Wednesday, initiated a review of the Secret Service Counter Sniper Team's preparedness and operations.
Jul 18, 2024, 5:57 PM EDT
Trump met with Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle in Milwaukee
Former President Donald Trump met with Secret Service Director Kim Cheatle to discuss the assassination attempt made against him at his Pennsylvania rally Saturday, a source told ABC News.
The meeting took place on Tuesday at the former president's hotel in Milwaukee, the source said.
This comes as Republicans are calling for Cheatle's resignation in the wake of the deadly shooting.
-ABC News' Luke Barr
Jul 18, 2024, 3:41 PM EDT
Sen. Rick Scott writes letter to Biden urging transparency with investigation
Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., wrote a letter to President Joe Biden on Thursday demanding "absolute transparency and accountability" from his administration with the investigation into the rally shooting.
While Scott noted that he's pleased to see Congressional investigations moving forward, he said more accountability is needed.
Scott called on FBI Director Christopher Wray, Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to hold a "daily public press conference to share updates and answer questions from the American people."
This graphic shows the location of the stage at the Trump rally in Butler, Pa., on July 13, 2024, and the suspected shooter's location on a rooftop near the venue.
ABC News
Scott asked Biden if any disciplinary action will be taken against Wray, Cheatle or Mayorkas.
"Has anyone employed by the U.S. government had disciplinary action taken against them, including being placed on leave, for action or inaction connected to the assassination attempt, murder and severe injuries that occurred on July 13th?" Scott wrote.
Scott also wrote a list of 18 questions to Cheatle, which included: "If the buck stops with you, and this has clearly been established as a colossal USSS breakdown and national embarrassment of historic proportion, why haven't you resigned?"
