911 calls reveal shooting victim's wife's 911 call
Chaos reigned in Butler, PA on July 13 of this year when shots rang out and former President Donald Trump was struck while on stage.
Secret Service moved in, jumping into action, moving the presidential candidate and former president off the stage with blood running down his face, as Fox News reported.
In total, eight shots made their way into a packed crowd, killing one, and injuring others, including Trump.
As the chaos picked up momentum, more than a dozen 911 calls were made about the event, recordings of which were released earlier this week, showing the fear and confusion.
The Calls
"They just tried to kill President Trump," a 911 caller reported, while yet another caller said, "We have an emergency. We're at the Trump rally.
Butler County released the 15 recordings, some of which capture the noises of chaos in the background.
The initial contact was received at 6:12 p.m., approximately one minute after the shots were fired. According to officials, the gunfire commenced eight minutes after Trump had begun his speech.
"We're at the Trump rally -- gunshots," a woman shouts above loud crowds. The dispatcher responded, saying that the police were "on their way."
"You better get over here quick!" the woman said, reflecting the gravity of the situation unfolding in front of the eyes of thousands of Trump supporters.
Mayhem and Death
Corey Comperatore, 50, was fatally wounded by the gunfire, and Jim Copenhaver and David Dutch, two other attendees, were critically injured.
The wife of a 74-year-old gunshot victim from Moon Township reported to the police that her husband was shot at the rally. However, she was unsure of the hospital to which he was transported. At the rally, James Copenhaver, a 74-year-old resident of Moon Township, sustained a critical injury after being shot.
"Paramedics serviced him. I called Butler Hospital. He's not there. They told me to call 911," the woman can be heard telling a dispatcher. The woman was told to stay on the line, and eventually helped by the dispatcher.
The Shooting
The 20-year-old suspect, Thomas Matthew Crooks, was shot and killed by a sharpshooter from the Secret Service, leaving Trump with a wounded ear.
Earlier this week, an interim report was released by the bipartisan House task force probing the assassination attempt. The investigation detailed the security shortcomings of the U.S. Secret Service and the lack of coordination with local law enforcement.
The report showed there was "inadequate planning and coordination by the Secret Service with state and local law enforcement before and during the July 13 rally."