"Security is not a product, but a process." – **Bruce Schneier**

##A Nightmarish Incident Unfolds in Butler County

On July 14, 2024, chaos erupted during a campaign rally for former President Donald Trump in Butler County, Pennsylvania. Shots rang out, injuring Trump in the ear and claiming the lives of two individuals: a rally attendee and the alleged shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old registered Republican from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania.

### Unveiling Thomas Matthew Crooks

**The Profile of an Assassin**

- **Name:** Thomas Matthew Crooks
- **Age:** 20
- **Hometown:** Bethel Park, Pennsylvania
- **Education:** Graduated from Bethel Park High School in 2022; recipient of a $500 "Star Award" from the National Math and Science Initiative.
- **Political Affiliation:** Registered Republican voter.
- **Notable Activity:** Donated $15 to ActBlue, a platform supporting Democratic candidates, at age 17.

Crooks, described as politically conservative and solitary by former classmates, had passed a background check for his kitchen job prior to the attack.

**Background:**

- **Community:** Bethel Park, a predominantly white and affluent Pittsburgh suburb.
- **Family:** Matthew Crooks, his father, expressed bewilderment and declined comment pending law enforcement discussions.
- **Social Media:** FBI investigations found no public profiles or online activity.

**Political Involvement:**

- **Voter Registration:** Registered Republican, eligible for the upcoming November 2024 presidential election.
- **Donation:** At age 17, contributed to ActBlue.

### Investigation Unveils

The FBI has yet to determine Crooks' motive, intensifying their investigation into potential accomplices and his intentions.

### Lapses in Security: Fundamental Failures

**High-Ground Exposure**

Crooks ascended to the rooftop of the American Glass Research building, situated approximately 150 yards from the rally stage where Trump spoke. Despite this building lying beyond the security cordon, it fell within range of Crooks' semiautomatic rifle.

In the days preceding the rally, the Secret Service had identified this rooftop as a potential threat. However, no agents were posted there, as local law enforcement were responsible. Before the shooting began, witnesses observed a man with a rifle near the security perimeter. Law enforcement reported the sighting over radio, yet specifics of their response remain unclear. A local officer, spotting Crooks on the rooftop, made eye contact before the shooter aimed his weapon, prompting the officer to take cover.

This incident exposes critical security oversights, particularly in leaving an identified vulnerable rooftop unguarded and local law enforcement's response to the threat.

### Monitoring and Surveillance Issues

A significant failure in monitoring and securing potential high-ground vantage points for shooters underscores security protocol gaps.

### Insights from Security Experts

Security experts have branded this a "fundamental failure," underscoring authorities' unpreparedness and surveillance deficiencies. The incident underscores the complexity of safeguarding open-access rallies, necessitating a thorough review of current security measures.

### Identified Security Deficiencies

1. **Insufficient Pre-Event Threat Assessment and Monitoring**
2. **Failure to Secure High Ground Positions**
3. **Weak Perimeter Security**
4. **Inadequate Real-Time Threat Response**
5. **Lack of Transparency and Accountability**
6. **Unadapted Security Protocols for Open-Air Events**

### Immediate Political Reactions

**Calls for Inquiry**

Republican congressional leaders demand a swift, thorough investigation into security lapses facilitating the assassination attempt. This highlights the incident's urgency and potential political repercussions.

### Impact on Trump's Campaign

Trump, preparing to announce his vice-presidential running mate, faces a reshaped campaign terrain. The attack necessitates heightened security and could influence his campaign strategy. The incident rallied his supporters and heightened political polarization.

### Context and Lessons Learned

This incident underscores U.S. leaders' vulnerability to assassination attempts, even in stable democracies. Strengthened security measures, intelligence gathering, and rapid-response protocols are crucial for protecting leaders from such threats. Each event offers vital lessons for refining protection strategies and mitigating risks associated with prominent public figures.

### Long-term Political and Security Implications

**Election Campaigns and Security**

The attack underscores political event vulnerability to violence, prompting thorough protection protocol reviews. Future campaigns may impose stricter security, limiting candidate interaction and open-access events.

**Polarization and Public Trust**

The attack deepens political division, despite widespread condemnation and calls for unity. Concerns arise over electoral trust erosion, fostering skepticism about election integrity and aggressive campaigning.

**Impact on the Republican Party**

Trump's influence, marked by divisive rhetoric and loyalty emphasis, may persist. The party could favor confrontational tactics over policy debates, exacerbating political division and mistrust in democratic institutions.

### Security Protocol Revisions

The incident may overhaul political event security protocols, balancing open discourse with candidate safety. Heightened high-ground surveillance will likely become standard, enhancing Secret Service and local law enforcement cooperation.

### Lessons and Security Enhancements

1. **Enhanced Pre-Event Threat Assessment and Monitoring**
2. **Secured High Ground Positions**
3. **Strengthened Perimeter Security**
4. **Improved Real-Time Threat Response**
5. **Increased Transparency and Accountability**
6. **Adapted Security Protocols for Open-Air Events**

### Conclusion

The attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump on July 14, 2024, exposes critical security flaws, shaping U.S. political landscape for years. Ongoing investigations into Thomas Matthew Crooks' motives and security oversights are pivotal in preventing future incidents.

This event highlights security versus political openness dilemmas. As 2024's campaign unfolds, navigating polarized, security-aware environments is critical. The incident's legacy will guide campaign, electoral security, and public trust preservation.

**For Further Reading:**

**List of Assassination Attempts and U.S. Presidents' Plots**

**Successful Assassinations:**

1. Abraham Lincoln (1865)
- Assassin: John Wilkes Booth
- Details: Shot at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C. on April 14, 1865; died the following day.

2. James A. Garfield (1881)
- Assassin: Charles J. Guiteau
- Details: Shot at the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Station in Washington, D.C. on July 2, 1881; died from infections related to his wounds on September 19, 1881.

3. William McKinley (1901)
- Assassin: Leon Czolgosz
- Details: Shot at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York on September 6, 1901; died on September 14, 1901, due to gangrene caused by the gunshot wounds.

4. John F. Kennedy (1963)
- Assassin: Lee Harvey Oswald
- Details: Shot while riding in a motorcade in Dallas, Texas on November 22, 1963; pronounced dead shortly after.

**Failed Assassination Attempts:**

1. Andrew Jackson (1835)
- Assassin: Richard Lawrence
- Details: Attempted to shoot Jackson with two pistols, both of which misfired. Jackson survived without injury.

2. Theodore Roosevelt (1912)
- Assassin: John Schrank
- Details: Shot in the chest while campaigning in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Roosevelt survived due to a thick speech manuscript and glasses case in his pocket.

3. Ronald Reagan (1981)
- Assassin: John Hinckley Jr.
- Details: Shot in the chest outside the Washington Hilton Hotel. Reagan survived after receiving prompt medical attention.

**Other Notable Attempts and Plots:**

1. Baltimore Plot (1861)
- Target: Abraham Lincoln
- Details: Alleged conspiracy to assassinate Lincoln as he traveled to his inauguration. The plot was uncovered, and Lincoln changed his route to avoid the threat.

2. Attempt on Lincoln (1864)
- Target: Abraham Lincoln
- Details: An unidentified sniper shot at Lincoln while he rode to the Soldiers' Home, narrowly missing his head.

3. Attempt on Thomas R. Marshall (1915)
- Target: Vice President Thomas R. Marshall
- Details: The attempted assassination was thwarted, and Marshall was unharmed. Details on the assailant and specifics of the attempt are limited.

4. Attempt on George Wallace (1972)
- Target: Presidential candidate George Wallace
- Assassin: Arthur Bremer
- Details: Shot multiple times while campaigning in Laurel, Maryland. Wallace survived but was left paralyzed from the waist down.

### References

1. FBI. "FBI Investigating Shooting Incident at Trump Rally." July 14, 2024.
2. Secret Service. "Security Breach Analysis: Trump Rally Shooting Incident." July 15, 2024.
3. The New York Times. "Former President Trump Injured in Shooting at Pennsylvania Rally." July 14, 2024.
4. CNN. "Former President Donald Trump Injured in Shooting Incident at Campaign Rally." July 14, 2024.
5. Reuters. "Security Breach at Trump Rally Raises Questions About Safety Protocols." July 15, 2024.
6. BBC News. "Shooting Incident at Trump Rally Sparks Nationwide Debate on Political Security." July 16, 2024.
7. Bruce Schneier. "Security is Not a Product, But a Process." Security Management Journal, 2022.
8. Richard Clarke. "Challenges of Securing Political Events." Homeland Security Affairs, 2021.
9. Robert J. Donovan. "A History of Assassination Attempts