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The Wall Street Journal reported that the man who attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally flew a drone over the Butler Farm fairgrounds.

Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, conducted surveillance at the event fairgrounds on July 13, before Trump’s appearance. Law enforcement indicates that Crooks had started his research on July 3, shortly after the Trump rally was announced. 

Crooks conducted detailed surveillance using a drone over the fairgrounds before Trump's appearance. This appears to be only one of a number of serious breaches in the Secret Service event security.

Crooks began his meticulous planning on July 3, shortly after the rally's announcement. He registered for the event on July 7 and, a few days later, visited the fairgrounds with a drone to inspect the site and finalize his assassination plan. 

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Who is Thomas Crooks?

In the days following the assassination attempt, more details about Crooks' actions and background emerged. 

The ongoing investigation, which marks the first attempted U.S. presidential assassination since 1981, involves over two hundred interviews with law enforcement, witnesses, Crooks' school associates, and family. 

Authorities are also scrutinizing his social media, phones, and laptop.

A post on the game platform Steam, linked to Crooks, ominously stated, "July 13 will be my premiere, watch it unfold."

Butler Farm Fairgrounds Events

On the day of the rally, Crooks was seen pacing near a warehouse building as the crowd gathered. 

When officers approached, he managed to blend back into the crowd. Moments later, rally-goers spotted him on a rooftop. 

As a local officer climbed up to apprehend him, Crooks, pointed an AR-15-style rifle at the Pennsylvania policeman. When the officer fell out of harm’s way Crook turned and fired several shots at Trump from approximately 400 feet away. 

The former president was grazed on the ear, an audience member was killed, and two others were injured before Secret Service snipers fatally shot Crooks.

The fatal shot, described by an insider as a "one in a million shot," was fired by a Secret Service counter-sniper, effectively ending the shooting spree.

Security Measures Under Review

In light of this incident, security measures at political events are under intense scrutiny. 

Many security experts argue that all buildings within potential firing range of the President should be under continuous surveillance by the US Secret Service.