Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt on Saturday night after a shooter opened fire at his campaign rally near Butler, Pa. The alleged assailant, a 20-year-old Bethel Park, Pa., man, is dead. An attendee was also killed in the attack.
Trump was injured in the attack and was quickly rushed offstage, but soon after declared in a statement he was “fine.” The suspected shooter was killed, as was a rally attendee. Two other attendees were critically injured, according to the Secret Service.
Authorities identified the shooter as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, but said they have yet to establish a motive for the shooting. The FBI and Pennsylvania state law enforcement officials said they are working together on what they called an active investigation.
Trump was injured in the attack — video showed blood streaming from his right ear immediately afterwards — and he was rushed to a nearby hospital. His campaign released a statement shortly afterwards saying he was “fine.”
On Truth Social, Trump’s social media platform, the former president later said he was “shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear. I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin. Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening.”
By Saturday night, Trump had left the Butler, Pa., area, according to Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro. He still plans to attend the Republican National Convention, which begins Monday, according to a statement released after the shooting.
In video of the incident, multiple popping sounds could be heard before Trump grabbed his right ear. Secret Service agents quickly rushed the stage, collapsing on top of Trump in a protective manner. After a few moments, someone is heard saying “shooter down,” and the Secret Service agents let Trump stand up. The presumptive Republican presidential nominee was seen visibly bleeding from the area around his right ear and could be heard asking Secret Service agents to get his shoes as they started to whisk him away to his convoy. Trump also raised his fist defiantly to the crowd.
In a news conference late Saturday night, Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Kevin Rojek labelled the attack an “assassination attempt.” The Secret Service, which is charged with protecting presidents, former presidents, and candidates for the office, described the incident as:
Yes, the alleged gunman was killed by the Secret Service. A male audience member died in the attack, and two other male attendees suffered critical injuries, according to the Secret Service and Pennsylvania state authorities.
“The FBI has identified Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, as the subject involved in the assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump on July 13, in Butler, Pennsylvania. This remains an active and ongoing investigation, and anyone with information that may assist with the investigation is encouraged to submit photos or videos online at FBI.gov/butler or call 1-800-CALL-FBI.”
While the investigation is still ongoing, Pennsylvania State Police Lt. Col. George Bivens said there is “no reason to believe that there is any other existing threat out there.” Investigators said late Saturday that they will continue to try to determine whether the suspect acted alone.
