Powerful drone surveillance missing in Secret Service protection at rally
FBI director offers new details about Trump gunman detonation devices, drone
Trump gunman Thomas Crooks had two “relatively crude” detonation devices at the Trump rally in Pennsylvania, as revealed by FBI Director Christopher Wray to the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday.
The FBI has acknowledged that the assassination attempt on former President Trump was assisted by a drone. The shooter apparently used the drone to get footage of where Trump was speaking.
This highlights a significant security oversight, which might have been averted if drone detection technology had been deployed at the location where the former president delivered his speech.
The terrifying event took place at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13. A gunman, identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, opened fire from a rooftop, injuring Mr. Trump in the right ear, causing the death of one attendee and leaving two others seriously injured.
Drone detection system (Dedrone)
What is the drone’s role in Trump assassination attempt?
FBI Director Christopher Wray shared fresh insights about the drone recovered from the gunman. Speaking before the Republican-led House Judiciary Committee, Wray indicated that the shooter flew a drone over the Butler fairgrounds about two hours before Trump’s speech.
Crooks flew the drone around the area, about 200 yards from the stage, from around 3:50 p.m. to 4 p.m., while Trump took the stage around 6 p.m.
“We think – but we do not know for sure, as this is part of our ongoing review – that he was live-streaming, viewing the footage for about 11 minutes,” Wray stated.
Investigators have successfully retraced the drone’s flight path from the rally day. They believe the footage would have provided the shooter with a view of what was behind him, acting like a rearview mirror for the scene.
Wray’s statement makes it clear that the drone played a key role in helping the gunman understand his surroundings and plan the assassination attempt. During the shooting, the drone was in Crooks’ vehicle, with the device now being analyzed by the FBI lab.
A drone in the air (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
How drone detection could have prevented the assassination attempt
A drone detection system could have easily notified the Secret Service about an unidentified drone flying in the area. These systems are already in use by the Army and various police departments. For instance, defense company Dedrone’s airspace security solution is currently used by the St. Petersburg Police Department in Florida and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.
Dedrone’s official website mentions that its drone detection system can not only detect a drone’s presence but also identify the location of both the drone and its pilot.
These systems capture data like the drone’s manufacturer, model, time and duration of activity, video verification, and flight history (including flight path). This data could have been used to detect suspicious activity at the rally, potentially leading to the gunman’s arrest and prosecution before he carried out the assassination attempt.
Drone detection system (Dedrone)
How counter-drone tech could have enhanced security at the rally
It’s known that counter-drone technology use is currently limited. Regulations restrict its deployment to specific Department of Defense personnel during narrowly defined events. Nevertheless, the rally should have qualified as the kind of National Security Event these regulations are meant to address.
If not drone detection tech, the Secret Service could have employed drones to capture aerial images of the site. Drones would have provided an unobstructed view of the building from which the shooter fired. Even with obstacles blocking a direct line of sight, drones equipped with thermal cameras could have scanned the building for potential threats.
Drone detection system (Dedrone)
Kurt’s key takeaway
The assassination attempt on former President Trump emphasizes the need for drone detection technology at high-profile events. Had such technology been in place, the Secret Service could have detected unauthorized drone activity, potentially preventing the shooter from gathering key reconnaissance footage.
How do you think advancements in drone technology will impact security protocols for future high-profile events?
