Thomas Matthew Crooks: How Secret Service sniper took ‘one-in-million’ shot that killed Trump’s shooter

Warning: This article contains some graphic information and content that may trigger some readers. Discretion is advised.

BUTLER, PENNSYLVANIA:  An investigator has disclosed that the Secret Service agent who neutralized Thomas Matthew Crooks, the man who attempted to assassinate former president Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, executed a "one-in-a-million" headshot.

Crooks concealed himself behind the edge of a rooftop, situated over 140 yards from the security detail's position at the Pennsylvania rally on July 13.

An agent killed Thomas Matthew Crooks with a single shot

When his colleagues scrambled to get the injured former president off stage, the agent had only the 20-year-old's gun scope and a few square inches of forehead to aim at.

However, after a local tactical team fired and missed, the agent killed the gunman with a single shot, a source close to the investigation revealed, as per Daily Mail.

The trigger was pulled after Crooks scaled a building 147 yards away, shot and killed Pennsylvania fire chief Corey Comperatore, critically injured two more, and struck Trump in the right ear.

"They were looking at him while he was looking at them," a senior federal law enforcement official said on Wednesday, July 17.

The incident, captured on camera by eyewitnesses, showed Crooks firing toward the rally while spectators screamed from the base of the building. Crooks was seen looking intently through the sights of his father's AR-style weapon.

Those on the ground gasped in horror as soon as a return shot was heard.

Donald Trump praised Secret Service agents who responded to the Pennsylvania shooting

In his acceptance speech at the RNC on Thursday night, July 18, the former president commended the Secret Service agents who responded during his time of need.

"They're incredible people," he told delegates. "Bullets were flying right over them, missing them by a very small amount of inches. And then it all stopped."

"Our Secret Service sniper from a much greater distance and with only one bullet used, took the assassin's life. Took him out," he added.

The commendation for the agents on the ground sharply contrasts with the anger directed at Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle, who was chased down the corridors of the RNC convention hall by irate senators seeking answers on Wednesday night.

She was at the Milwaukee convention hall overseeing security arrangements just hours after briefing senators regarding the Pennsylvania shooting on Saturday, July 13, night.

Senators John Barrasso of Wyoming and Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee led the pursuit, voicing complaints that they hadn't been given the opportunity to question Cheatle on how the Trump shooting transpired.

A frustrated Barrasso subsequently issued an ultimatum to the chief of security. "You put him within less than an inch of his life," Barrasso yelled at Cheatle. "So resignation or full explanation."

She is scheduled to testify before the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability at 10 am on Monday, July 22, following the emergence of further details regarding how Crooks was permitted to roam freely at the rally site in Butler for hours unchallenged, despite numerous public warnings.

Thomas Matthew Crooks operated drone over the area hours before attack

The building was under the surveillance of local police after Security Service officials concluded it was too risky to station an agent there due to the sloped roof.

Three marksmen from Beaver County were reportedly inside the building when Crooks ascended to the roof and discharged at least six shots.

The Wall Street Journal disclosed that the assailant had operated a drone over the area just hours before the attack. It is alleged that Crooks piloted the drone along a preprogrammed route, indicating he may have flown it multiple times to survey the rally location.

Despite the events, Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi declared late Wednesday that Cheatle would not step down.

"Continuity of operations is paramount during a critical incident, and US Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle has no intentions to step down," he said.

"She deeply respects members of Congress and is fiercely committed to transparency in leading the Secret Service through the internal investigation and strengthening the agency through lessons learned in these important internal and external reviews."

Critics argued that the sniper was trained for such a close-range shot

Social media users reacted to the report published in the Daily Mail, and one stated, "Don't believe it .There's evidence the police Marksman had him in is sights (with commanding officer in he's ear peace.) The rifle used to take out the shooter could shoot the hind legs off a spider at same distance .daily mail getting this nonsense out before the truth is established".

Another user added, "One in a million sniper shot?? That is what they are trained for and it was only 130 yards away. Could have hit him with a black widow catapolt from that distance."

One commentator wrote, "It was a one in a million protective detail too, led by a one in a million director of the USSS."

"What a load of rubbish, "one in million shot", a one eyed man standing on a three legged stool and facing the wrong way could have taken the same shot," a person remarked.

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