Homeland Security inspector general to probe Trump rally security
- A gunman opened fire on a Trump rally in Pennsylvania
- The shooting is being investigated as an assassination attempt
- Lawmakers have raised questions about Secret Service protocols
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(NewsNation) — The Department of Homeland Security inspector general will be investigating the Secret Service’s process for security at Saturday’s campaign rally where a gunman shot at former President Donald Trump.
The DHS Office of Inspector General announced the investigation online Wednesday. There is no estimated timeline of how long it will take.
Trump rally shooting
At the rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, a shooter opened fire, getting off multiple shots before being killed by a Secret Service counterassault team. One rally attendee was killed and two more critically injured, while Trump said a bullet grazed his ear before he was rushed offstage by the Secret Service.
The shots were fired from a rooftop less than 200 yards from the stage, outside the security perimeter but still within the distance where a sniper could make a shot.
As days have passed, there have been multiple questions about who was responsible for securing the area and why action was not taken more quickly as witnesses reported seeing the shooter climbing onto the roof prior to the shooting.
Secret Service investigations
In the days following the shooting, lawmakers have raised questions about security at the venue and how a shooter was able to get so close and fire so many shots before being killed by Secret Service agents.
The Secret Service is set to brief senators on the shooting Wednesday, while the House Oversight Committee has requested a hearing with Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle.
Cheatle has said the agency will participate in an independent review of the shooting and pledged to cooperate with congressional inquiries.
What we know about the shooter
The shooter was identified as 20-year-old Thomas Michael Crooks from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. Crooks is believed to have acted alone and authorities are still working to determine a possible motive.
Crooks was a registered Republican who also had donated a small amount to a Democrat-aligned organization in 2021. He had no criminal record, and so far authorities have not uncovered a history of mental health issues. There is also no record of Crooks discussing politics on social media.
Investigators believe the gun used in the shooting belonged to Crooks’ father. Explosives were also found in Crooks’ car and the family’s home.
The investigation into the assassination attempt is ongoing.
