Hero SWAT Officer Claims He Halted Shooter During Trump Assassination Attempt

Overview of the Incident

On July 13, 2024, during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, a gunman named Matthew Crooks launched an assassination attempt on then-President Donald Trump, firing eight shots in rapid succession. Amid the chaos, a local SWAT team member, Aaron Zaliponi, has publicly claimed that he played a crucial role in stopping the shooter.

Zaliponi’s Heroic Actions

Background of Aaron Zaliponi

Aaron Zaliponi, a 6-foot-3, 285-pound Army combat veteran, is a member of the Butler County SWAT team. His military experience prepared him for high-stakes situations, making him a key player during the attack.

The Moment of Action

While positioned between the gunman and the stage where President Trump was speaking, Zaliponi took decisive action after Crooks opened fire. He fired a single shot from his M4 SWAT rifle, believing it made contact with the shooter’s weapon, which he claims caused Crooks to pause.

“I just got you,” recalls Zaliponi, expressing his confidence in the impact of his shot during an interview with the Washington Post.

The Shooter’s Response

Zaliponi described the moment vividly:

• The Reaction: “The gunman jerked hard to the right and slumped over his weapon.”
• Possible Impact: He speculated that his shot might have struck either Crooks’s rifle or had a physical impact on him.

The aftermath revealed that there was a 10-second pause in gunfire from Crooks after Zaliponi’s shot, during which a Secret Service sniper ultimately took decisive action, resulting in Crooks being killed.

Investigation and Disputes

Official Statements

Discrepancies arose regarding the effectiveness of Zaliponi’s shot. An FBI agent, Kevin Rojek, stated there was "no forensic evidence" to confirm that Zaliponi’s round struck Crooks or his rifle.

However, a congressional task force found that Zaliponi’s shot "may have caused Crooks to stop firing," and later reports noted that part of Crooks’s rifle buttstock was shattered, aligning with Zaliponi’s claims.

Autopsy Findings

The Allegheny County medical examiner reported that, while a single bullet was conclusively found to have hit Crooks, it could not exclude the possibility of a second bullet impacting his rifle.

Aftermath and Reflection

After the incident, Zaliponi rushed to assist the victims. President Trump sustained a gunshot wound to his ear, and the tragedy resulted in one death and multiple serious injuries.

Despite his pivotal role, Zaliponi has chosen to remain relatively low-key following the incident, stating,

“I’d rather be on 5,000 acres in Montana on a hillside.”

Encouraged by SWAT commander Ed Lenz, Zaliponi finally decided to share his account to emphasize the importance of his experience during this significant event.

Conclusion

Aaron Zaliponi’s actions during the assassination attempt on President Trump illustrate the critical role of SWAT team members in high-stakes environments. While opinions diverge on the impact of his shot, the importance of preparedness and quick decision-making in crisis situations cannot be understated.

For more detailed coverage, visit The Washington Post and stay updated on the latest investigative reports.