Donald Trump shooting witness ‘saw sniper crawling onto roof & frantically alerted cops’ before ‘assassination attempt’

A STUNNED eyewitness has described the moment he saw Donald Trump’s suspected attempted assassin crawl onto a nearby roof clutching a rifle before opening fire.

The witness claimed that he’d seen a man with a rifle on the roof of a nearby building firing shots at the Trump rally.

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“We noticed a guy crawling, you know army, bear crawling up the roof of the building 50ft away from us,” he said.

“So we are standing there pointing at the guy crawling up the roof, he had a rifle, we could clearly see he had a rifle.”

Speaking to the BBC, he added: “I’m standing there pointing at him for two-three minutes, the secret service is looking at us from the top of the barn – I’m pointing at that roof.

“And next thing you know – five shots rang out.”

He confirmed that the shooter was up on the roof for three to four minutes before opening fire.

Pennsylvania State candidate David McCormick has also described the chaos to Fox News after around eight shots appeared to ring out during Trump’s rally in the town of Butler, around 30 miles north of Pittsburgh.

Trump was rushed from the stage with blood trailing down his ear after Secret Service agents pushed him to the ground when the “popping” sounds went off.

Video caught the moment apparent gunshots rang out at 6.11pm on Saturday in Butler, Pennsylvania, close to Pittsburgh in the west of the battleground state.

McCormick claimed another person in the crowd was also injured and that there was a lot of blood on the scene.

He said that it appeared some of the alleged shots came from the left side of the president as he was facing the crowd and that a man behind him was hit.

What we know so far:

• A shooter has opened fire at a Donald Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, killing one, critically injuring two others, and wounding the former president.
• Gunfire broke out during the Republican frontrunner’s speech at around 6.15pm EST on Saturday evening.
• The shooter was killed by Secret Service agents.
• The shooter has not been officially identified, but the New York Post has named him as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20.
• President Joe Biden has condemned the shooting as “sick,” and has suspended campaigning for the next two days. He has also shared a phone conversation with Donald Trump.
• President Trump was rushed to hospital Saturday evening but was later released and has left Pennsylvania.
• The FBI has confirmed this was an “assassination attempt,” but said there was no prior threat.
• Trump’s team has confirmed he will be traveling to Milwaukee for the Republican National Convention next week.

The candidate said others in the crowd quickly rushed around to administer first aid.

He added that he believed it was a small caliber firearm but he could not be certain if there was just one gun or two.

County prosecutors have confirmed that the suspected shooter and one rally attendee are dead, while two others are in a critical condition.

The identities of the wounded haven’t been revealed, but a Republican Congressman from Texas has said his nephew was among them.

Rep. Ronny Jackson told Fox News his nephew was standing behind Trump in the “line of fire” and that he got hit in the neck.

“A bullet crossed his neck, and he was bleeding,” he said.

Another speaking in a video shared by NTD News’ White House correspondent Iris Tao that she had heard a “crack” behind where she was sitting in the bleachers behind the president, where she believed the shot had come from.

Immediately screams were heard from horrified attendees as the former president dropped to the ground.

Another witness claimed that the president had been hit with “shards of glass” from the shattered teleprompter in the side of his face.

Donald Trump Rally Shooting Timeline

Donald Trump was shot at his Pennsylvania rally on July 13.

1pm: Doors open at the Butler Farm Show grounds where Trump was expected to speak at 5pm.

4:11pm: Sean Parnell gave the opening speech.

4:35pm: David McCormick rallied the crowd.

5:30pm: Crowds were still waiting for Trump.

6:03pm: Trump takes the stage.

6:11pm: Gunshots were fired as Trump delivered remarks.

6:12pm: Trump was ushered off stage by Secret Service agents.

6:42pm: Secret Service confirmed Trump is safe.

7:24pm: The shooter and one rally attendee are confirmed dead by law enforcement officials.

8:42pm: Trump confirms he was shot in the ear, sharing a statement on Truth Social.

8:49pm: The Secret Service confirms the shooter and a rally attendee are dead. Two others remain critically injured.

One eyewitness told Fox News that Trump appeared to be fine as he was taken from the stage despite the blood on his face.

Another said he asked the Secret Service to “let me get my shoes” before he was taken away.

He raised a fist to his supporters before being led away.

A Trump spokesperson said shortly after that the president was “fine” after the shocking event.

Some in the crowd were heard chanting, “U-S-A, U-S-A, U-S-A,” as Trump was led away.

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Another eyewitness told Fox News he heard “seven or eight shots,” and that he stood up and tried to film it as his wife ducked and hit the ground.

He added that he saw smoke coming from the gunfire as the shots were fired.

One rally attendee told CNN: “It seemed initially like firecrackers went off, it was very confusing initially, it sounded like it was coming from behind the bleachers.

He added that someone close to him “was shot in the head and killed,” while a woman sat by him was also shot and injured.

The eyewitness said the rounds seemed to “come from behind the bleachers,” and that while “half the crowd was in shock, the other half at first thought it was a weird joke.”

He also said seeing it in real life was like “watching the Zabruda footage,” referencing the famous video clip of the JFK assassination in 1963.

It comes just 24 hours before Republicans are due to descend on Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for the Republican National Convention.

Security is expected to be even tighter in the wake of Saturday’s suspected assassination attempt.

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers, a Democrat, posted on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, that he and his staff are in contact with security planning coordinators ahead of the RNC.

“We cannot be a country that accepts political violence of any kind—that is not who we are as Americans,” he wrote, adding that he was extending his “thoughts” to President Trump and praised first responders.

Organizers of the RNC – which begins on Monday – have confirmed that it is still going ahead, despite Saturday’s events.

“President Trump is in my prayers after surviving this assassination attempt,” Reince Priebus, Chairman of the MKE 2024 Host Committee, said in a statement.

“We are also heartbroken that reports indicate that at least one innocent person has been killed and perhaps others have been injured. This horrific violence has no place in America.”

He added: “Guests have already begun to arrive in Wisconsin, and we look forward to working with the Republican National Committee to welcome everyone to Milwaukee this week.”

Another eyewitness, an emergency room doctor in attendance at the rally, has revealed how he performed CPR on a member of the crowd in the immediate aftermath of the shooting.

“I heard the shots. I thought it was firecrackers to begin with,” he told CBS News.

Donald Trump's Full Statement Post-Rally Shooting

Former president Donald Trump provided an update on Truth Social after the shooting that took place at his Pennsylvania rally on July 13.

“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!”

The man, who had blood splattered across his white USA shirt, added: “Somebody over there was screaming, ‘He’s been shot he’s been shot,’

“So I made my way over. I said I’m an emergency department physician. Let me help you.”

He went on: “The guy had spun around and was jammed between the benches and had a headshot here. There was lots of blood and he had brain matter.”

President Biden has addressed the American people from Rehoboth Beach in Delaware, where he is staying for the weekend, condemning the apparent assassination attempt and praising the quick work of the Secret Service.

“There’s no place for this kind of violence in America,” he said, adding, “It’s sick, it’s sick.”

The President is set to return to the White House ahead of schedule tonight following the shooting.

His team confirmed that he had spoken to the former president following his release from hospital.

Donald Trump Rally Shooting Reaction

Dozens of politicians and celebrities have offered their support for the former president after he was reportedly grazed by gunfire at his Pennsylvania rally on July 13.

President Biden held a brief press conference just after 8 pm ET. He said he was hoping to speak to Trump.

“Look, there’s no place in America for this kind of violence. It’s sick,” the president continued. “We cannot condone this.”

Vice President Harris said she was “relieved” Trump was not seriously injured.

“Violence such as this has no place in our nation,” she continued.

Former President Obama said on X: “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.

Donald Trump, Jr shared a photo of his father raising a fist moments after he was shot with the caption: “He’ll never stop fighting to Save America.”

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr said: “Now is the time for every American who loves our country to step back from the division, renounce all violence, and unite in prayer for President Trump and his family.”

Tesla CEO Elon Musk said: “I fully endorse President Trump and hope for his rapid recovery.”

Britain’s new Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer took to X to say: “I am appalled by the shocking scenes at President Trump’s rally and we send him and his family our best wishes.

“Political violence in any form has no place in our societies and my thoughts are with all the victims of this attack.”

Reform leader and newly elected MP Nigel Farage said it is a “miracle” that his friend is still alive.

Farage told Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips: “I was very upset when I heard the news late last night, Donald Trump survived by a miracle, frankly.

“But one innocent man is dead, two are fighting for their lives in hospital. It’s horrible, and yet somehow not surprising.”

Former PM Boris Johnson also gave his condolences to Trump and his family as he said it shows “the tragic fragility of democracy in the face of violence and unreason”.

Ukrainian PM Volodymyr Zelensky, who has been a target for assassins in the past, also said he was “appalled” by the events in the US.

“Such violence has no justification and no place anywhere in the world. Never should violence prevail,” he said on X.

“I extend my wishes for strength to everyone who is horrified by this event. I wish America emerges stronger from this.”

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