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Cellphone video shows security failures in Trump assassination attempt
The investigation into the assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump is highlighting serious flaws in security measures at the rally that occurred on Saturday in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Cellphone video taken Saturday shows rally attendees pointing toward shooter Thomas Matthew Crooks and trying to alert authorities to his presence — a full two minutes before the 20-year-old fired at Trump.
Less than 15 seconds before the shots, people are seen running away from the area. Moments later, some in the crowd begin shouting that the man on the roof has a gun.
The gunman killed Corey Comperatore, a firefighter. He also wounded three others: Trump, 57-year-old Marine Corps veteran David Dutch and 74-year-old James Copenhaver.
Seconds later, a Secret Service counter sniper fatally shot Crooks.
The Butler County sheriff said his department, which was on the scene, was not responsible for sweeping the roof where the shooter was perched.
“The sheriff’s office was not asked to do that, and I don’t know whose responsibility that would have been,” Butler County sheriff Michael Slupe said.
Sources told CBS News that the Secret Service didn’t clear the roof either, since it was outside the secure perimeter.
However, a source with direct knowledge of the incident said three snipers from local law enforcement were staged within the building, just beneath the shooter. They observed Crooks acting suspiciously before the shooting and radioed into command that he was using a range-finder and had a backpack. By the time help arrived, it was too late.
Timeline of events
It was less than 10 minutes from the time Trump took the stage to when shots were fired by Crooks.
The former president began speaking to the crowd of supporters at the rally at 6:03 p.m. local time. At 6:09 p.m., people alerted officers to the gunman on the roof of a nearby building.
By 6:11 p.m., multiple shots were fired, as Secret Service rushed Trump off the stage. At this time, a Secret Service counter sniper shot and killed Crooks.
A law enforcement source told CBS News that Crooks visited a gun range in the days before the shooting and bought 50 rounds of ammunition before heading to the rally. Multiple sources added Crooks’ father called 911 shortly after his son opened fire.
/ Getty Images
Secret Service investigation
Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas said Trump’s Secret Service detail has been tightened, and added that an independent investigation into the shooting and law enforcement response will begin within days.
Secret Service director Kimberly Cheatle said on Monday she would not step down from her position, despite some calls for her to resign.
“The buck stops with me. I am the director of the Secret Service. It was unacceptable and it’s something that shouldn’t happen again,” she said in an exclusive interview with ABC News.
Meanwhile, President Biden has directed the Secret Service to protect Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an Independent candidate for president.
RNC kicks off
Developments in the assassination attempt come as the Republican National Convention got underway Monday in Milwaukee.
Trump made his first public appearance since the shooting at the RNC after announcing on social media his running mate is Ohio Sen. JD Vance.
Trump is set to formally accept the Republican nomination for president in a speech on Thursday, the last day of the convention.
CBS News
Meanwhile, Mr. Biden, who paused campaign activities following the shooting, is set to get back on the campaign trail. In the days following the assassination attempt, the president called for unity in an address from the Oval Office.
“We can’t allow this violence to be normalized,” he said. “The political rhetoric in this country has gotten very heated. It’s time to cool it down. We all have a responsibility to do that.”
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Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa leaves field with concussion after collision with Bills’ Damar Hamlin
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was ruled out of Thursday night’s game with the Buffalo Bills because of a concussion after colliding with defensive back Damar Hamlin and hitting the back of his head against the turf.
Tagovailoa, who has a history of dealing with head injuries, remained down for about two minutes before getting to his feet and walking to the sideline after the play in the third quarter. He made his way to the tunnel not long afterward, looking into the stands, appeared to smile and departed for the locker room.
Lynne Sladky / AP
The Dolphins needed almost no time before announcing it was a concussion.
Tagovailoa, who sustained multiple concussions his first three NFL seasons, positioned himself for a big pay bump with an injury-free and productive 2023. He threw for 29 touchdowns and a league-best 4,624 yards.
He signed a four-year, $212 million extension before this season and was the NFL’s leading passer in Week 1 this season. Tagovailoa left the game with the Dolphins trailing 31-10, which held as the final score.
Tagovailoa was hurt on a fourth-down keeper with about 4:30 left in the third. He went straight ahead into Hamlin and did not slide, leading with his right shoulder instead.
He wound up on his back, both his hands in the air and Bills players immediately pointed at Tagovailoa as if to suggest there was an injury. Dolphins center Aaron Brewer quickly did the same, waving to the sideline.
Tagovailoa eventually got to his feet. Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel grabbed the side of his quarterback’s head and gave him a kiss on the cheek as Tagovailoa departed. Skylar Thompson came into the game to take Tagovailoa’s spot.
Hamlin was the player who suffered a cardiac arrest after making a tackle during a Monday night game in January 2023 at Cincinnati, causing the NFL to suspend a pivotal game that quickly lost significance in the aftermath of a scary scene that unfolded in front of a national television audience.
Tagovailoa’s history with concussions — and how he has since worked to avoid them — is a huge part of the story of his career, and now comes to the forefront once again.
He had at least two concussions during the 2022 season. He was hurt in a Week 3 game against Buffalo and cleared concussion protocol, though he appeared disoriented on that play but returned to the game.
The NFL later changed its concussion protocol to mandate that if a player shows possible concussion symptoms — including a lack of balance or stability — he must sit out the rest of the game.
Less than a week later, in a Thursday night game at Cincinnati, Tagovailoa was concussed on a scary hit that briefly knocked him unconscious and led to him being taken off the field on a stretcher.
His second known concussion of that season came in a December game against Green Bay, and he didn’t play for the rest of the 2022 season.
Going into last season, Tagovailoa added muscle and spent time studying jiu-jitsu in an effort to learn how to fall more safely and try to protect himself against further injury.
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