One dead, former President Trump and two spectators injured in assassination attempt

A spectator was killed, another and former President Donald Trump were also injured after an assassination attempt was carried out by a gunman at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on Saturday evening.

The former president was grazed by the shot on his right ear but was otherwise uninjured. A rallygoer sitting on grandstands behind the Trump was killed by one of the several gunshots fired from a rooftop more than 150 yards away from the stage. Two other rallygoers were seriously injured during the incident.

Secret Service agents were able to shoot and kill Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, not long after the first shots rang out.

Details about the shooter were still being compiled on Sunday morning, but several national news outlets have reported that he was a registered Republican voter who had also made a small donation to a progressive political action committee.

The motive behind the shooting was still unclear this morning as officials continue to investigate.

The former president was pulled to the ground and covered, then whisked off the stage Saturday moments after gunshots rang out. Trump grabbed his ear after being injured initially before Secret Service agents brought him to the ground. While being carried away, Trump raised his fist in defiance as rallygoers chanted “U.S.A.!”

President Joe Biden and the former president spoke on Saturday night after the attempt on Trump’s life. The Biden campaign also pulled political advertising from airwaves following the incident.

Trump called for prayers and support for the victims injured in the incident, and unity among Americans during heightened political rhetoric and hostility.

“In this moment, it is more important than ever that we stand United, and show our True Character as Americans, remaining Strong and Determined, and not allowing Evil to Win,” Trump posted on Truth Social this morning.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation began their work on determining what happened leading up and during the assassination attempt as of Saturday evening. They also hope to answer how Crooks was able to get on a rooftop and fire multiple rounds at former President Trump before being spotted himself and killed by Secret Service agents.

Political leadership on every level have denounced the act of political violence against former President Trump, and world leaders have also made statements of support following the attempted assassination.

President Biden, who was vacationing at his home in Delaware, returned to the White House to receive briefings and coordinate the full Federal response to the shooting incident. Congressional leaders from both the House and the Senate have also promised to investigate.

Officials have still not yet released the names of the rallygoers who were shot during the attempt on Trump’s life.

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