The 911 calls were finally released from the first assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump at his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13.
In the first audio clips given to NBC News and other news outlets — which had threatened to sue the county to get the public records — callers explained that the president had been shot after a gunman opened fire, hitting him in the ear, killing one Trump supporter, and injuring two others at the rally.
The 15 recordings came in between 6:12 p.m. and 6:47 p.m., with the first caller, a woman, exclaiming, “Gunshots at the Trump rally. Gunshots-”
“Yep,” the emergency dispatcher replied. “The police are on the way there.”
“Better get over here quick!” she added.
Another person said, “We’re at the Trump assembly and there’s a guy shooting. He’s been shooting up the place.”
MATT WALSH’S ‘AM I RACIST?’ COMING TO DAILYWIRE+ OCT. 28
Butler County releases 911 calls from shooting at July Trump rally https://t.co/3Dh2Ul3VLB
— WPXI (@WPXI) October 23, 2024
A series of other calls to the emergency center came in with screaming in the background, WPXI reported.
“The Butler Fair is getting shot up,” one person told the 911 operator.
Another said, “We’re at the Butler Farm Show Grounds. We need assistance now!”
While another caller told an emergency dispatcher, “They just tried to kill President Trump. You might want to make a note of that. Thank you.”
20-year-old shooter Thomas Matthew Crooks opened fire, hitting Trump in the side of the head, killing rally-goer Corey Comperatore, and injuring two others, Jim Copenhaver and David Dutch.
A Secret Service sniper shot and killed Crooks while other personnel rushed to protect Trump and escort him off the stage.
Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned after the shooting, one day after testifying before the House as she faced backlash over the security failure underlying the Trump rally shooting.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas then announced that Ronald Rowe, the Secret Service’s deputy director, would become acting director.
Rowe said it was clear to him that “other protective enhancements could have strengthened our security” at the rally and listed some directives he made, as previously reported.
The acting director said he ordered the “expanded” use of drones to detect elevated threats and directed resources to “facilitate” communications, particularly with state and local partners.
Rowe said he directed protective detail requests to be approved “expeditiously” and ordered the “maximum use” of requested personnel at protective sites to address “this heightened security environment.”
Daniel Chaitin contributed to this piece.
Related: Trump Gets Candid About Return To Butler, Assassination Attempts, And More On ‘Flagrant’ Podcast
