PENNSYLVANIA — The man who shot former US President Donald Trump in the ear during a rally in Pennsylvania had used a drone to survey the rally site hours before the attack, NBC News reported.

The drone, identified as a DJI model, provided the 20-year-old gunman, Thomas Crooks, with an aerial view that may have assisted in planning the attack.

During the rally in Butler, Trump was shot in the ear in what was described as an assassination attempt. Crooks was subsequently fatally shot by Secret Service agents.

Initial reports about the drone's use were revealed by The Wall Street Journal. The surveillance is seen as a significant security lapse that nearly allowed the gunman to harm the former president.

The Secret Service typically bans drones from flying over secured areas, though it's unclear if these measures were enforced at the Butler rally.

Investigators likely traced the drone's flight path through electronic records maintained by DJI. Authorities discovered a drone and related equipment in Crooks' vehicle, according to a senior law enforcement source.

The motive behind the attack remains unclear and is under investigation. The Department of Homeland Security Office of the Inspector General has launched three inquiries into the Secret Service's security measures at the event.

Additionally, House Speaker Mike Johnson has announced a Congressional investigation, with Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle scheduled to testify before the House Oversight Committee on Monday. — Agencies