This drone detection technology could have intercepted assassin’s drone two hours before Trump shooting

This drone detection technology could have intercepted assassin’s drone two hours before Trump shooting

Powerful drone surveillance missing in the Secret Service protection at rally

by Kurt Knutsson

The FBI has admitted that the assassination attempt on former President Trump was aided by a drone. The shooter apparently used the drone to get footage of where Trump was speaking. This is a serious security lapse and something that could have been easily prevented if the security agencies had used drone detection technology at the location where the former president took the stage.

The harrowing incident unfolded at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13. A gunman, identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, opened fire from a rooftop, hitting Mr. Trump in the right ear, killing one attendee, and leaving two others badly injured.

GET SECURITY ALERTS, EXPERT TIPS – SIGN UP FOR KURT’S NEWSLETTER – THE CYBERGUY REPORT HERE

A drone detection system with a drone flying the background.

Credit: Dedrone

 

What is the drone’s role in Trump assassination attempt

FBI Director Christopher Wray provided new details on the drone that was recovered from the gunman. While speaking before the Republican-led House Judiciary Committee, Wray noted that the shooter flew a drone over the Butler fairgrounds about two hours before Trump spoke at the rally.

Wray said shooter Crooks flew the drone around the area, roughly 200 yards away from the stage, around 3:50 p.m. to 4 p.m. Trump took the stage around 6 p.m. “We think — but we do not know, so again, this is one of these things that is qualified because of our ongoing review — that he was live-streaming, viewing the footage [for] about 11 minutes,” he said.

According to the FBI head, investigators have successfully reverse-engineered the drone’s flight path from the day of the rally. They believe the drone footage would have provided the shooter with a view of what was behind him, essentially acting like a rear-view mirror for the scene.

Wray’s statement clearly indicates that the drone played an important role in informing the gunman of his surroundings and helping him plan the assassination attempt. At the time of the shooting, the drone was in Crooks’s vehicle, he said, adding that the device is now “being exploited and analyzed by the FBI lab.”

A drone flying with greenery in the background.

 

THE US AIR FORCE’S XQ-67A DRONE THINKS, FLIES, AND ACTS ON ITS OWN

 

How drone detection could have prevented the assassination attempt

A drone detection system could have easily alerted the Secret Service about an unidentified drone flying in the region. Such systems are already utilized by the US Army and certain police departments. For example, 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 (SLED).

Dedrone’s official website mentions that its drone detection system can not only detect the presence of a drone but also determine the drone and pilot’s location.

Drone detection systems also capture data such as the drone’s manufacturer, model, time and length of activity, video verification, and flight history (including flight path). This data could have been easily used to identify suspicious activity at the Pennsylvania rally and might have led to the arrest and prosecution of the gunman even before he attempted the assassination.

A drone detection system with a drone flying the background.

Credit: Dedrone

 

RESCUE DRONE HITS BEACHES DESIGNED TO SAVE LIVES AS A FLYING LIFEBUOY

 

How counter-drone tech could have enhanced security at the rally

It’s known that counter-drone technology is currently restricted in use. Regulations limit its deployment to specific DoD (Department of Defense) personnel during narrowly defined events. However, the rally should have qualified as the kind of National Security Event that the regulations were designed to address.

If not drone detection tech, the Secret Service could have at least employed drones to capture aerial images of the site. Drones would have provided an unobstructed view of the building from which the shooter fired at Trump. Even if there were obstacles blocking a direct line of sight, drones equipped with thermal cameras could have scanned the building for potential threats.

Credit: Dedrone

 

THE CRIME-FIGHTING DRONE THAT BEATS COPS TO THE SCENE

 

Kurt’s key takeaway

The assassination attempt on former President Trump highlights the need for drone detection technology at high-profile events. Had such technology been in place, the Secret Service could have detected the unauthorized drone activity, potentially preventing the shooter from gathering crucial reconnaissance footage.

How do you think advancements in drone technology will impact security protocols for future high-profile events? Let us know in the comments below.

FOR MORE OF MY TIPS, SUBSCRIBE TO MY FREE CYBERGUY REPORT NEWSLETTER HERE


   

2 comments

C.L. July 28, 2024 - 9:07 am

It’s ONLY a matter of time.. the bad guys will encrypt all the flight data, to and from the drone to complicate detection! Just like our APPLE PHONES use 256 BIT ENCRYPTION NOW! Thank You!

Reply
Joe M July 28, 2024 - 9:13 am

The first question I blurted out was why the drones did not detect the shooter only to find out the SS did not have any.

Reply

Leave a Comment

GET MY FREE CYBERGUY REPORT
Subscribe to receive my latest Tech news, security alerts, tips and deals newsletter. (We won't spam or share your email with anyone else.)

By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.

Tips to avoid our newsletters going to your junk folder