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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
World
Edward Helmore

Gunman at Trump rally flew drone over fairgrounds earlier on day of shootings

A glittery USA in blue, white and red is staked into the ground next to a chain-link fence in front of a broad half-dead lawn.
A memorial near the site of the attempted assassination of Donald Trump, near Butler, Pennsylvania, on 16 July 2024. Photograph: Carlos Osorio/Reuters

Thomas Matthew Crooks, the gunman who tried to assassinate Donald Trump a week ago, was able to fly a camera-equipped drone over the fairgrounds near Butler, Pennsylvania, shortly before the former president was set to speak there, according to news reports.

The latest disclosure about security lapses that preceded the shooting comes as a more complete picture of Crooks’ preparations is emerging, though it still lacks any definitive motive for the 20-year-old’s actions that led to Trump being grazed by a bullet, the shooting death of former fire chief Corey Comperatore and the critical wounding of two rally-goers.

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