Former President Donald Trump narrowly avoided an assassination attempt as he was speaking at a rally Saturday evening in Butler, Pennsylvania, when shots were fired, apparently from a gunman perched on a building outside the secured area of the rally.
The FBI identified the suspect as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, according to The Associated Press. His motive was not immediately clear.
Trump suffered an injury to his ear, according to video and reporting from the event. An attendee at the rally was killed and two others critically injured, while the shooter was killed by U.S. Secret Service agents, according to the FBI. Law enforcement is investigating the shooting as an assassination attempt against Trump, the FBI said during a press conference late Saturday.
At the press conference, FBI special agent Kevin Rojek said they were working to identify a motive in the shooting and also whether anyone else was involved.
Attention Sunday turns to finding more details on the gunman and a motive for his actions.
“This evening we had what we’re calling an assassination attempt against our former President Donald Trump,” Rojek said. He also said investigators are “working tirelessly” to determine a motive.
Representatives from the Pennsylvania State Police were also at the press conference, but there was not a representative from the Secret Service. The Secret Service is responsible for providing security to the former president as well as securing the area to prevent threatening actions.
Several members of the press asked why the roof of the building where the shooter was located was not secured, but Rojek and a state police spokesperson said that was still under investigation.
The shooter was reportedly on a roof that was outside the immediate perimeter of the event, according to eyewitness reports on CNN and BBC. Fox News reported that an “AR-style” rifle was recovered after the shooter was killed.
A statement released before the press conference by the Secret Service said, “During former President Trump’s campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on the evening of July 13th at approximately 6:15 p.m., a suspected shooter fired multiple shots toward the stage from an elevated position outside of the rally venue. U.S. Secret Service personnel neutralized the shooter, who is now deceased. U.S. Secret Service quickly responded with protective measures and the former president is safe and being evaluated. One spectator was killed, two spectators were critically injured. The incident is currently under investigation and the Secret Service has formally notified the Federal Bureau of investigation.”
Trump bleeding from the ear, rushed off stage
After the shooting, Trump’s ear was bleeding and he was rushed off the stage by Secret Service agents. The agents were heard to yell “shooter’s down,” and Trump said he wanted to get his shoes.
As he left the stage, Trump held up a fist to the crowd, and the audience started chanting “U.S.A.,” before the agents hurried him away. Members of the crowd could be heard screaming.
After the shooting, Trump posted a statement on Truth Social, saying: “I want to thank The United States Secret Service, and all of Law Enforcement, for their rapid response on the shooting that just took place in Butler, Pennsylvania. Most importantly, I want to extend my condolences to the family of the person at the Rally who was killed, and also to the family of another person that was badly injured.
“It is incredible that such an act can take place in our Country. Nothing is known at this time about the shooter, who is now dead. I 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. GOD BLESS AMERICA!”
Shortly after the shooting, a spokesperson for the Trump campaign said Trump is “fine” and had been checked into a “local medical facility,” and that the former president “thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act,” according to CNN.
Around 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Trump left the hospital, and then flew from Pennsylvania to New Jersey, according to reports.
After the shooting, Donald Trump Jr. reportedly said his father was in “great spirits.”
“I just spoke to my father on the phone and he is in great spirits. He will never stop fighting to save America, no matter what the radical left throws at him,” a CBS reporter reported Trump Jr. said.
President Joe Biden speaks about Trump rally shooting
The White House said President Joe Biden spoke to Donald Trump Saturday evening, but did not release details about the call.
Earlier, Biden gave a press conference where he said he had been briefed about the incident.
“There’s no place for this kind of violence,” Biden said. The rally “should have been able to be conducted peacefully,” he said.
Biden had earlier released a statement saying he was glad Trump was “safe and doing well.”
“I have been briefed on the shooting at Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania. I’m grateful to hear that he’s safe and doing well. I’m praying for him and his family and for all those who were at the rally, as we await further information. Jill and I are grateful to the Secret Service for getting him to safety.
“There’s no place for this kind of violence in America. We must unite as one nation to condemn it,” he said.
Fox News reported that the Biden campaign said they were going to pause political advertisements in the aftermath of the shooting.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas also released a statement, saying he and U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle briefed Biden on the shooting.
“We condemn this violence in the strongest possible terms and commend the Secret Service for their swift action today. We are engaged with President Biden, former President Trump, and their campaigns, and are taking every possible measure to ensure their safety and security,” he said. “Maintaining the security of the Presidential candidates and their campaign events is one of our Department’s most vital priorities.”
Vice President Kamala Harris also released a statement about the shooting.
“Doug (Emhoff) and I are relieved that he is not seriously injured,” Harris said, according to CNN. “We are praying for him, his family, and all those who have been injured and impacted by this senseless shooting.”
“Violence such as this has no place in our nation,” Harris continued. “We must all condemn this abhorrent act and do our part to ensure that it does not lead to more violence.”
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said he was also briefed about the incident.
“Violence targeted at any political party or political leader is absolutely unacceptable,” Shapiro said in a statement, according to Fox News. “It has no place in Pennsylvania or the United States.
“I have been briefed on the situation. @PAStatePolice are on the scene in Butler County and working with our federal and local partners,” he continued.
Pennsylvania Senate candidate David McCormick told Fox News he was in the front row at the rally, and heard “seven or eight shots,” and that someone behind him in the bleachers was “definitely wounded.”
Former presidents speak out about Trump shooting
Former Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton all condemned the violence on Saturday.
“There is absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy. Although we don’t yet know exactly what happened, we should all be relieved that former President Trump wasn’t seriously hurt, and use this moment to recommit ourselves to civility and respect in our politics. Michelle and I are wishing him a quick recovery,” Obama said.
Bush said, “Laura and I are grateful that President Trump is safe following the cowardly attack on his life. And we commend the men and women of the Secret Service for their speedy response.”
“Violence has no place in America, especially in our political process. Hillary and I are thankful that President Trump is safe, heartbroken for all those affected by the attack at today’s rally in Pennsylvania, and grateful for the swift action of the U.S. Secret Service,” Clinton said.
