Secret Service sniper who took out Thomas Matthew Crooks did so with a single bullet and an obscure shot
The shot that ended the life of Thomas Matthew Crooks, who attempted to assassinate former President Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, last Saturday, has been described as a “one-in-a-million” by a source familiar with the investigation.
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Fox News reported that the fatal shot was fired by a Secret Service counter-sniper whose view was significantly obscured. The sniper managed to hit Crooks with a single, precise shot despite only being able to see the gun scope, the top of Crooks’ eye, and his forehead due to the roof’s lip blocking the view. A local tactical team also attempted to neutralize Crooks but missed their target.
The sniper’s incredible accuracy was crucial in stopping Crooks, who had a clear line of sight on Trump and opened fire during the rally. The swift action of the Secret Service agents who protected Trump and took down the shooter is being praised.
However, the incident has brought significant scrutiny to the security measures in place that allowed Crooks to gain such a dangerous position.
Kimberly Cheatle, the director of the Secret Service, has faced intense criticism for her handling of the incident. Lawmakers are calling for her resignation, and the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability has scheduled a hearing for Monday to investigate the security lapse.
The hearing, titled “Oversight of the U.S. Secret Service and the Attempted Assassination of President Donald J. Trump,” will start at 10 a.m. on Capitol Hill.
Despite the pressure, Cheatle has refused to resign. House Speaker Mike Johnson has indicated that he might call on President Biden to remove her from her position if she does not step down voluntarily.
In a statement, Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi defended Cheatle, emphasizing her commitment to transparency and the agency’s internal investigation to learn from this incident and improve security measures.
Cheatle faced tough questions from senators at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee this week, highlighting the widespread concern and demand for accountability in the wake of the attempted assassination.