The assassination attempt on former President Trump in Pennsylvania on Saturday shocked the world, with the presumptive Republican presidential nominee narrowly escaping death by centimeters.
Trump was escorted off the stage at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, bleeding from his right ear, before raising his fist in a gesture of defiance to the crowd.
Information about the shooting was scarce and widely distorted in the immediate aftermath, but over time key details have been confirmed.
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Trump is alive
Trump survived the shooting, although blood was streaming from his face as he was escorted off the stage.
The former president’s campaign said he was shot in the right ear but his injuries are not considered life-threatening.
Republican presidential candidate and former President Trump was escorted off the stage at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
“As communicated earlier this evening, President Trump is in good spirits and appreciates the swift action of law enforcement and emergency responders,” Trump, campaign officials and Republican National Committee officials said in a joint statement late Saturday.
He was released from Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh late Saturday night.
The shooter and one protester were killed
of The F.B.I. The mastermind behind the assassination attempt was Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old man from western Pennsylvania.
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According to a Secret Service statement, Crooks opened fire, killing one rally attendee and wounding two others.
Crooks reportedly shot Trump from a rooftop about 130 yards away during a campaign event, striking him above the right ear as he was addressing rally attendees.
After the U.S. Secret Service returned fire during the assassination attempt on former President Trump, authorities approached the suspected shooter from the spot where he fell. (Source: Fox News Digital)
Authorities said one attendee was killed and two were injured in the incident. Crooks was shot dead. The victims have not yet been identified.
Crooks, 20, is from Bethel Park. Pittsburgh Suburbs It’s about an hour south of where the assassination attempt took place.
Biden and other political leaders have been briefed on the situation.
According to the White House, President Biden spoke with President Trump following Saturday’s assassination attempt.
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“I have received reports of a shooting at Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania,” Biden said in a statement. “I am pleased to hear that Mr. Trump is safe and well. As we await more information, I am praying for Mr. Trump, his family and all those who were at the rally.”
“Jill and I are grateful to the Secret Service for getting him to safety. This kind of violence has no place in America and we must come together as a nation to condemn it,” he added.
President Biden was speaking in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, and addressed news that shots had rang out at former President Trump’s campaign rally in Pennsylvania. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Senatar)
President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were briefed Saturday evening by Secret Service Director Kim Cheatle, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, Homeland Security Advisor Liz Sherwood Randall, Attorney General Merrick Garland, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and FBI Director Christopher Wray.
Federal investigation underway
According to Fox News sources, the incident is being investigated as an assassination attempt.
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“This case remains an active investigation and anyone with information that could assist the investigation is asked to submit photos or videos online at FBI.gov/butler or call 1-800-CALL-FBI,” the FBI said in a statement.
Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump was shot at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, and surrounded by US Secret Service agents. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
The House Homeland Security Committee plans to investigate reports that President Trump was denied heavy Secret Service protection ahead of the rally, sources told Fox News Digital.
President Trump is also set to head to the Republican National Convention this week.
Despite his near-death experience, Trump plans to attend the Republican National Convention this week to accept his party’s presidential nomination.
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“President Trump looks forward to joining you in Milwaukee as we proceed with our convention to nominate him as the 47th President of the United States,” the statement continued. “As our party’s nominee, President Trump will continue to share our vision for Making America Great Again.”
The assassination attempt has brought renewed attention to an ongoing dispute between the Trump campaign and Secret Service leaders over security measures.
An exterior view of the Fiserv Forum as the Republican National Convention begins in Milwaukee this week. (Fox News – Monica Oros)
“Failing to act now to prevent these unnecessary and certain risks will put tens of thousands of convention attendees at risk and keep them away from the currently planned First Amendment zone, for which there is no excuse,” Republican National Committee counsel Todd R. Stegerda reportedly wrote in a May letter to Secret Service Director Kimberly A. Cheatle. The New York Times.
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“My staff and I have been in contact with those coordinating security planning for the Republican National Convention and will continue to be in close contact as we learn more about this situation,” Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) wrote to X.
Fox News Digital’s Scott MacDonald, Landon Mion, Charles Kreitz and Elizabeth Elkind contributed to this report.
