The 20-year-old shooter who tried to assassinate Donald Trump last Saturday, allegedly flew a drone to survey Pennsylvania fairgrounds ahead of the Republican presidential nominee’s speech.
Thomas Matthew Crooks was able to fly a drone and get aerial footage of the western Pennsylvania fairgrounds, shortly before the former President was set to speak there, law-enforcement officials told The Wall Street Journal, further highlighting the stunning security lapses ahead of Trump’s near assassination.
Crooks flew the drone on a programmed flight path earlier in the day on July 13 to scour the Butler Farm Show grounds ahead of Trump’s ill-fated rally, the officials told The Wall Street Journal.
The predetermined path, the officials added, suggests Crooks flew the drone more than once as he researched and scoped out the event site.
Just hours after surviving the assassination attempt, Trump attended the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He was formally nominated as the Republican Presidential candidate there.
Accepting the GOP nomination, Trump said: “I am running to be president for all of America, not half of America, because there is no victory in winning for half of America,” Trump was quoted as saying by the media.
“So tonight, with faith and devotion, I proudly accept your nomination for president of the United States,” he said.
He also spoke about the shooting incident, and said he had survived as God was by his side. “There was blood pouring everywhere and yet, in a certain way I felt very safe because I had God on my side,” Trump said.
“I stand before you in this arena only by the grace of almighty God,” the former US President added.
