Updates:
* Early Sunday morning Eastern Time, the FBI positively IDed the shooter as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel, Pennsylvania. No potential motive is yet known. Crooks was apparently a registered Republican. A Thomas Matthew Crooks apparently donated $15 to a Democratic action committee in 2021, when he would have just turned 17.
* The United States Secret Service said in a statement, "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. US Secret Service personnel neutralized the shooter, who is now deceased. US 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 said in a Truth Social statement, "I want to thank The United States Secret Service, and all of Law Enforcement, for their rapid response to 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 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 that what was happening. GOD BLESS AMERICA!"
The New York Post IDed a shooter, but there is NO official confirmation of his identity.
Former President Trump was wounded at a Butler, Pennsylvania rally Saturday, following what media reported sounded like gunfire.
Trump was at a podium outdoors in Butler, Pennsylvania, when — minutes into the event — several popping noises were heard.
Trump grabbed one ear, then was tackled and shielded by Secret Service agents.
Trump, his ear bloodied, walked off the stage with assistance, pumping his fist and seeming to shout, "Fight!"
“President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act,” spokesman Steven Cheung said in a statement almost immediately after the assassination attempt. “He is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility. More details will follow.”
The Secret Service also quickly confirmed Trump's safety.
President Biden was briefed on the situation, NBC News reports. He said in a statement, “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 wait for further information.”
The President went on to say, "There’s no place for this kind of violence in America. We must unite as one nation to condemn it.”
He echoed those remarks in a video address, in which he emphasized that violence of this sort is "sick, sick."
"Everybody, everybody must condemn it — everybody," he said.
Watch:
Former President Barack Obama said in a statement, “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.”
A rally attendee who identified himself as an ER doctor vividly described attempting to save the life of someone in the crowd who had a traumatic head injury including massive bleeding and visible brain matter.
Another man, who was just outside the rally, told the BBC he and his friends witnessed a man scaling a roof with a rifle and attempted to call attention to the shooter for several minutes, with police and Secret Service failing to intervene.
He went on to say that after the shooting, the shooter's head was "blown off."
Watch him speak here.
Local Butler, PA
Most Popular
Comments / 0