Coverage dated July 19, 2024 to July 23, 2024

Trump rally gunman flew a drone 200 yards from the stage hours before the event, FBI chief testifies

Headline from WFMZ Allentown

FBI Director Christopher Wray says the gunman in the attempted assassination of Donald Trump flew a drone 200 yards from the rally stage where the Republican ex-president would stand hours

WFMZ Allentown's own description from its feed. We collect headlines and these descriptions, not full articles; read the original reporting below.

Earlier updates in this story

Read the reports

Reports & sources

41 articles, oldest first.

NBC10 Philadelphia
Trump shooter flew drone over venue hours before attempted assassination, source says (opens NBC10 Philadelphia)
Published Jul 19, 2024
NBC10 Philadelphia's feed description
The gunman who shot former President Donald Trump in the ear at a Pennsylvania rally on Saturday flew a drone over the rally site a few hours before Trump...
KEYT Santa Barbara
Gunman in Trump rally attack flew drone over rally site in advance of event, official says (opens KEYT Santa Barbara)
Published Jul 19, 2024
KEYT Santa Barbara's feed description
Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — The gunman in the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump is believed to have flown a drone around the
KVIA El Paso
Investigators believe Trump’s would-be assassin flew a drone over rally site on the day of the shooting (opens KVIA El Paso)
Published Jul 19, 2024
KVIA El Paso's feed description
By John Miller and Shania Shelton, CNN (CNN) — Investigators believe the gunman who attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump may have used a drone on a reconnaissance trip to the rally site on the day of the shooting, a law enforcement official familiar with the investigation told CNN.
Legal Insurrection
Trump Shooter Reportedly Flew Drone Over Location Soon Before Event (opens Legal Insurrection)
Published Jul 19, 2024
Legal Insurrection's feed description
WSJ: "Thomas Matthew Crooks flew the drone on a programmed flight path earlier in the day on July 13 to scour the Butler Farm Show grounds ahead of Trump’s ill-fated rally"
Newsweek
Report Thomas Matthew Crooks flew drone over Trump rally sparks outrage (opens Newsweek)
Published Jul 19, 2024
Newsweek's feed description
Authorities have identified Crooks as the shooter in the July 13 assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.
Just the News
Man who tried to kill Trump flew drone over rally hours before attempting assassination: report (opens Just the News)
Published Jul 19, 2024
Just the News's feed description
Crooks, 20, fired at least six rounds from the roof of a building about 400 feet away from where Trump spoke.
KTVU San Francisco
Gunman used drone to scope rally site before Trump assassination attempt (opens KTVU San Francisco)
Published Jul 20, 2024
KTVU San Francisco's feed description
The gunman in the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump is believed to have flown a drone around the Pennsylvania rally site ahead of time in an apparent attempt to scope out the site before the event.
Los Angeles Times
Gunman in Trump attack flew drone over rally site in advance of event, official says (opens Los Angeles Times)
Published Jul 20, 2024
Los Angeles Times's feed description
The gunman in the attempted assassination of former President Trump is believed to have used a drone to scope out the Pennsylvania rally site, an official says.
Fortune
Gunman in Trump assassination attempt flew a drone over the rally site ahead of shooting, official says (opens Fortune)
Published Jul 20, 2024
Fortune's feed description
The drone has been recovered by the FBI, which is leading the investigation into last Saturday's shooting.
Insider
Trump shooter surveilled rally site with a DJI-made camera drone just hours before attempted assassination, reports say (opens Insider)
Published Jul 20, 2024
Insider's feed description
The shooter used a drone on a programmed flight path to research and obtain aerial footage of the area ahead of the rally, reports say.
WFMZ Allentown
Trump rally gunman flew a drone 200 yards from the stage hours before the event, FBI chief testifies (opens WFMZ Allentown)
Published Jul 23, 2024
WFMZ Allentown's feed description
FBI Director Christopher Wray says the gunman in the attempted assassination of Donald Trump flew a drone 200 yards from the rally stage where the Republican ex-president would stand hours
CNN
Trump shooter flew drone in rally area two hours before shooting, FBI director says (opens CNN)
Published Jul 23, 2024
CNN's feed description
Donald Trump’s would-be assassin flew a drone in the area near the rally just two hours before the former president took the stage on July 13 in Butler, Pennsylvania, FBI Director Christopher Wray said Wednesday.
The Federalist
Wray: FBI Believes Trump Shooter 'Live-Streamed' Venue (opens The Federalist)
Published Jul 23, 2024
The Federalist's feed description
Wray said the shooter was 'flying the drone around the area' roughly '200 yards' away from the rally grounds just hours before the event.
Legal Insurrection
FBI Director Wray Admits Trump Shooter Flew Drone Near Stage Hours Before Rally (opens Legal Insurrection)
Published Jul 23, 2024
Legal Insurrection's feed description
Crooks also had three explosive devices.
Washington Examiner
Wray confirms gunman flew drone over Trump rally site hours before assassination attempt (opens Washington Examiner)
Published Jul 23, 2024
Washington Examiner's feed description
FBI Director Christopher Wray fielded questions from lawmakers about the Trump assassination attempt and confirmed several details about the incident.
Hiawatha World Online
Gunman flew drone over Trump rally area before shooting: FBI chief (opens Hiawatha World Online)
Published Jul 23, 2024
Hiawatha World Online's feed description
The 20-year-old gunman who attempted to assassinate Donald Trump at a campaign rally flew a drone over the area about two hours before the former US president began to speak,
Time
Trump Gunman Flew Drone 200 Yards from Stage Before Rally, FBI Chief Testifies (opens Time)
Published Jul 23, 2024
Time's feed description
FBI Director Christopher Wray told lawmakers that the Trump rally shooter flew a drone near the stage before the event.
Breitbart News
FBI Director: Shooter Flew Drone over Area Hours Before Trump Spoke (opens Breitbart News)
Published Jul 23, 2024
Breitbart News's feed description
Wray told members of Congress on Wednesday that the man who fired at former President Donald Trump during his rally on July 13 flew a drone over the area just hours before he took the stage.
Washington Times
Trump shooter flew drone just two hours before assassination attempt, says FBI chief (opens Washington Times)
Published Jul 23, 2024
Washington Times's feed description
The man who came within an inch of killing former President Donald Trump flew a drone near the rally site just two hours before Mr. Trump took the stage, FBI Director Christopher A. Wray revealed Wednesday.

Identical headlines usually mean shared wire copy. They are counted as separate articles but are not independent confirmation.