New report unveils security failures in Trump rally shooting incident

New media reports revealed details of a shooting incident at a Trump rally highlighting Secret Service response and security failures.

The gunman who shot and wounded former President Donald Trump managed to fire eight shots in just under six seconds before Secret Service snipers neutralized him, Caliber.Az reports via the US-based online newspaper.

Secret Service agents have been praised for their swift response in neutralizing the threat to Trump. However, the shooter had enough time to fire multiple rounds — injuring the former president in the ear, killing a heroic firefighter, and wounding two other attendees — at the July 13 campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

During the chaos, a total of 10 shots were heard, with the gunman firing eight rounds in rapid succession within 5.2 seconds.

This rate of fire is consistent with the AR-15-style rifle used by the gunman, according to audio experts. The analysis indicates that the second shot, which followed the one that hit Trump in the ear, struck Marine veteran David Dutch, who was seen falling in the bleachers.

Another attendee, James Copenhaver, was likely hit during the latter part of the shooting.

The final two shots were presumably from Secret Service snipers, positioned at two different locations, who stopped the gunman. The first of these shots was fired less than half a second after the gunman's eighth shot, according to the audio and video analysis.

The incident has sparked several law enforcement and government investigations into how the gunman managed to get within 130 yards of Trump with a clear view. The fallout from this security lapse led to the resignation of Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle on July 23.