(WIVT/WBGH) – Former President Donald Trump was the target of an assassination attempt at a Pennsylvania rally on Saturday, as a bloodied Trump was surrounded by Secret Service and hurried into his vehicle.
During a political rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, Trump was shot in the upper part of his right ear while giving a speech on stage .
Some of the shots struck and killed a former fire chief attending the rally with his family, while two other people were critically wounded.
Secret service agents neutralized the alleged shooter, who was later identified as 20-year-old Thomas Crooks from Bethel Park, PA.
After being shot, Trump got up and raised his fist in the air to show he was okay.
Local Republican officials held a virtual news conference today to announce the next steps in the investigation, and to talk about this week’s Republican National Convention in Wisconsin.
Congressman Marc Molinaro hosted the news conference and says political violence has no place in America.
“We as a nation have come to brink many times before. Sometimes, sadly, in our history, violence has overtaken us. But, when we focus effectively on the promise of America, we’ve often been able to walk back from that brink, reunite as a nation, and deliver better results for the people,” said Molinaro.
Law enforcement officials say they recovered an A-R 15 semiautomatic rifle off of the body of the alleged shooter.
Officials says the weapon was legally purchased by the shooter’s father, plus, authorities discovered a rudimentary explosive device in his vehicle.
Molinaro says it’s important to grieve and reflect on the shooting, but also, to look forward to this week’s Republican National Convention.
“But this week, the convention will go forward, in the shadow of this horrific event, this tragedy and near assassination. You’ll hear leaders from around the country convening in Milwaukee talk about the challenges that face America, and they still face America. And I think now, more than ever, we need to find an opportunity to unify behind some common themes of safety, security and protection,” said Molinaro.
This afternoon, former President Trump named 39-year-old Senator JD Vance of Ohio as his running mate for the presidential election .
Trump posted the announcement on his Truth Social account.
Vance would be the third youngest Vice President in history.
The Senator is a Marine Corps Veteran of the Iraq War.
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