Trump assassination attempt: Senate holds oversight hearings

FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate gave a brief overview of the facts that have been established so far in the investigation into the attempted assassination of Trump at a rally.

“On July 3, the Butler, Pennsylvania, rally was announced,” Abbate said. “On July 6, the shooter registered to attend the rally and conducted a search to find out, quote, how far Oswald was from Kennedy. On July 7, the shooter drove from his home to the Butler Farm Showgrounds and stayed there for approximately 20 minutes. We believe this demonstrates advanced planning and reconnaissance on his part. On July 12, the shooter drove from his home to the Clairton Sportsman Club, where he practiced shooting.”

“On the morning of July 13, at approximately 10 a.m., the shooter returned to the Farm Show grounds and remained there for approximately 70 minutes before returning home. At approximately 1:30 p.m., while at the residence, the shooter’s father gave him a rifle with the intent, he said, of returning to the sportsman’s club.

“Approximately 25 minutes later, the shooter purchased ammunition while on his way to the Butler Farm Fairgrounds. The suspect then arrived on scene and was moving through the farm fairgrounds near the American Glass Research Building, from where he ultimately carried out the attack. Shortly thereafter, at approximately 3:51 p.m., the shooter flew a drone approximately 200 yards from the farm fairgrounds for approximately 11 minutes. The drone and controller were later located in the suspect’s vehicle. Analysis did not reveal any photos or video taken by the drone, but we can confirm that it was live streaming at the time and he may have been viewing it on its controller.

“The first report of the shooter by local law enforcement was at approximately 4:26 p.m. At approximately 5:10 p.m., the shooter was again identified by local law enforcement as a suspicious person around the building, and at approximately 5:14 p.m., a local SWAT operator took a photo of the shooter. At approximately 5:32 p.m., a local SWAT officer observed the shooter next to the building using his phone, browsing news sites, and with a rangefinder. At approximately 5:38 p.m., the photo of the shooter, taken earlier.

“Subsequently, approximately 25 minutes before the shooting, the U.S. Secret Service Command Post was notified of a suspicious individual. Agents lost sight of the individual between approximately 6:02 p.m. and 6:08 p.m., but continued to communicate with each other in an attempt to locate him. Video recently discovered at a local business shows the shooter climbing onto the roof of the AGR building. At approximately 6:06 p.m. and 6:08 p.m., the individual was observed on the roof by local law enforcement.

“At approximately 6:11 p.m., a local police officer was hoisted onto the roof by another officer, saw the shooter and reported over the radio that he was armed with, quote, a long gun. Within 30 seconds, the shots were fired.”

Add a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *