The Butler Assassination Attempt: A Timeline of the July 13, 2024 Shooting

On July 13, 2024, an attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump occurred at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The gunman, identified by the FBI as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, fired shots from a rooftop outside the event perimeter, wounding the former president, killing one attendee, and critically injuring two others before being neutralized by Secret Service personnel.

Security Failures and the Investigation

The shooting exposed significant security lapses at the Butler Farm Show grounds. According to the U.S. Secret Service, the shooter positioned himself on the roof of a building approximately 130 yards from the stage. This location was outside the inner security perimeter managed by the Secret Service, raising questions about how the building remained unmonitored.

The House Task Force investigating the incident later released findings detailing a “lack of clear communication” between federal and local law enforcement agencies. The report highlighted that while local officers were aware of a suspicious person near the building, that information was not effectively relayed to the Secret Service agents responsible for the former president’s protection. Following the incident, then-Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned from her position, citing the agency’s failure to prevent the shooter from accessing the rooftop.

Casualties and Impact on the 2024 Campaign

The gunfire resulted in the death of Corey Comperatore, a 50-year-old former fire chief who was attending the rally with his family. Two other spectators, David Dutch and James Copenhaver, sustained critical injuries. Donald Trump was struck in the upper portion of his right ear, an injury that was treated by medical personnel on-site and later confirmed by his campaign.

The event fundamentally altered the trajectory of the 2024 presidential campaign. In the immediate aftermath, both the Trump campaign and the Biden-Harris administration suspended political advertising and rhetoric. The shooting prompted a nationwide debate regarding political violence and the necessity of increased protective measures for candidates.

Federal Oversight and Legislative Responses

The Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice launched independent reviews to determine how the shooter—a resident of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania—acquired the AR-style rifle used in the attack and how he bypassed security measures. The FBI’s technical analysis confirmed that the shooter acted alone and had researched public officials and other potential targets in the weeks leading up to the rally.

Legislative responses followed, with the House of Representatives voting unanimously in July 2024 to create a bipartisan task force to investigate the security failures. This task force was granted subpoena power to review internal documents from the Secret Service, the Department of Homeland Security, and local law enforcement partners.

Key Facts Regarding the Butler Incident

• Date of Incident: July 13, 2024.
• Location: Butler, Pennsylvania.
• Shooter: Thomas Matthew Crooks (deceased).
• Victims: Corey Comperatore (deceased); David Dutch and James Copenhaver (injured).
• Secret Service Leadership: Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned on July 23, 2024, following testimony before the House Oversight Committee.

The investigation into the Butler shooting remains ongoing, as federal authorities continue to examine the shooter’s digital footprint and potential motives. The incident serves as a significant case study in modern protective operations and the challenges of securing large-scale outdoor political events.