Thomas Matthew Crook, identified as the individual who attempted to assassinate United States presidential candidate Donald Trump, reportedly utilized a drone to survey the Pennsylvania fairgrounds where the rally was held, according to law enforcement officials cited by the New York Times.
The incident has underscored significant security oversights preceding Trump's rally. Crook had visited the rally grounds on July 7, six days before the shooting, and again on the morning of the incident, based on geolocation data retrieved from one of his two cellphones, officials stated.
It's important to note that the Secret Service typically prohibits drones over areas they secure, though it remains unclear if this protocol was in place during the Trump rally.
The 20-year-old gunman allegedly used a drone to capture aerial footage of the Butler Farm Show grounds using a predetermined flight path programmed into the device, according to an official briefing provided to the New York Times on condition of anonymity. Subsequently, a drone was discovered in Crook's car after he was apprehended.
Interestingly, the Secret Service did not deploy drones themselves for surveillance during the rally.
Described by acquaintances as intelligent yet reserved, Crook began inspecting the rally site soon after the Trump campaign announced the event on July 3, and officially registered to attend on July 7, as reported by The Wall Street Journal.
The motive behind Crook's attempted assassination of Donald Trump remains unknown and is currently under investigation.
