On July 13, 2024, during a campaign rally for former U.S. President Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks opened fire on the stage using an AR-15 rifle in an apparent assassination attempt. The FBI has confirmed they are investigating the shooting as an assassination attempt and have identified Crooks, a registered Republican, as the suspected gunman.
The AR-15 rifle used by Crooks falls under the category of “modern sporting rifles” (MSR) and is commonly used for competitions and hunting purposes. While often mistaken for “assault weapons” or “assault rifles”, the semi-automatic version of the AR-15 was created for the military and is now available to civilians in modular form, allowing for customization while adhering to legal requirements.
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The AR-15 is considered dangerous due to the high speed of its bullets, which can cross six football fields in a second. When the bullet hits a vital organ, it can cause devastating damage, as the massive energy transfer can literally tear apart the body. In this case, one spectator was killed and two others critically injured by Crooks’ gunfire
The Secret Service quickly responded to the shooting, neutralizing the suspect who is now deceased. Former President Trump was safely evacuated from the stage and is being evaluated. The Secret Service has requested assistance from the FBI and U.S. Attorney’s Office in investigating the incident