What began as a jubilant rally Saturday for Donald Trump days before he becomes the official Republican presidential nominee ended in mere minutes with the former president bloodied and a suspected would-be assassin shot dead by the Secret Service. There was also one spectator killed and two others who were critically injured in the shooting at the rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The former president was showing off a chart of border crossing numbers when the shots, at least five, were fired. Trump was seen holding his ear and got down on the ground. Agents quickly created a shield around him. When he finally stood, his face bloodied, he pumped his fist to cheering supporters. Trump and his motorcade left the scene and he was checked into a medical facility. The attack was the most serious attempt to assassinate a president or presidential candidate since Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981.
Here’s a look at what we know so far:
Quick Read
- Donald Trump appeared to be the target of an assassination attempt. Here’s what to know:
- Gunfire erupted at a Trump rally on Saturday, sparking panic in the crowd and spattering the Republican presidential candidate with blood before he emerged and defiantly pumped his fist in the air before being ushered to a waiting car.
- Trump grimaced and grabbed his ear before security hustled him away. The Secret Service and the former president’s campaign said Trump was safe following the shooting in Butler, Pennsylvania, about 30 miles north of Pittsburgh. Live video showed blood spattered on Trump’s right cheek and ear.
- The suspected shooter was dead, as was an audience member, and another person was in critical condition, a Washington Post reporter said on social media, citing the Butler County district attorney.
- “President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act. He is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility. More details will follow,” spokesperson Steven Cheung said in a statement.
- Trump had just started his speech when gunshots erupted, and Trump and other rally attendees hit the deck. Secret Service agents swarmed around him and Trump disappeared behind the podium for about one minute before he was rushed to the waiting vehicle.
- Trump and Biden are locked in a close election rematch, with most opinion polls showing the two evenly matched.
- Trump is due to receive his party’s formal nomination at the Republican National Convention, which kicks off in Milwaukee on Monday.
- “This horrific act of political violence at a peaceful campaign rally has no place in this country and should be unanimously and forcefully condemned,” Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson said on social media.
- The shooter’s identity and motives were not immediately clear.
- “The Secret Service has implemented protective measures and the former president is safe,” a spokesperson for the agency said on X after what it called an incident. “This is now an active Secret Service investigation and further information will be released when available.”
- CNN reported that Trump was injured but gave no other details. It was not clear how or what injuries he may have sustained.
- One witness, Ron Moose, said he heard what sounded like four shots, describing the sound as “pop, pop, pop.”
- The venue was abandoned with chairs knocked over and yellow police tape around the stage. A helicopter flew above and law enforcement officers walked through the area, the video feed showed. Armed law enforcement officers were also seen on a roof near the stage where Trump was standing.
- Biden received an initial briefing on the incident, the White House said.
- As Trump was talking, a popping sound was heard. Trump said, “Oh,” and put his right hand up to his right ear as people in the stands behind him appeared to be shocked. Two more pops could be quickly heard and he crouched down.
- Someone could be heard saying near the microphone at Trump’s lectern, “Get down, get down, get down, get down!” as agents tackled the former president. They piled atop him to shield him with their bodies, as is their training protocol, as other agents took up positions on stage to search for the threat.
- Screams were heard in the crowd of several thousand people. The bangs continued as agents tended to Trump on stage. He could be heard on the video saying at least twice, “Let me get my shoes, let me get my shoes,” with another voice saying, “I’ve got you sir.”
- Trump got to his feet moments later and could be seen reaching with his right hand toward his face. There appeared to be blood on his face.
- The crowd cheered as he got back up and pumped his fist.
- His motorcade left the venue moments later. His condition was not immediately known.
- Police began vacating the fairgrounds shortly after Trump left the stage, which local officers described as a crime scene.
- President Joe Biden was briefed on the incident, the White House said. He received an updated briefing from Kimberly Cheatle, the director of the United States Secret Service, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, and White House homeland security adviser Liz Sherwood-Randall.
- Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., posted a photo on X of Trump, his fist raised and his face bloody in front of an American flag, with the words: “He’ll never stop fighting to Save America.”
- North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, and Ohio Sen. JD Vance, the three men on Trump’s shortlist for vice president, all quickly sent out statements expressing concern for the former president, with Rubio sharing an image taken as Trump was escorted off stage with his fist in the air and a streak of blood on his face along with the words “God protected President Trump.”
- Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, said in a statement on X that he had been briefed on the situation and Pennsylvania state police were on hand at the rally site.
- “Violence targeted at any political party or political leader is absolutely unacceptable. It has no place in Pennsylvania or the United States,” he said.
The Associated Press has the story:
Donald Trump appeared to be the target of an assassination attempt. Here’s what to know
Newslooks- WASHINGTON (AP) —
What is Trump’s condition?
Steven Cheung, a spokesman for the Trump campaign, released a statement Saturday evening that Trump was fine and being looked at at a medical facility. Trump also released a statement on his Truth Social platform thanking the Secret Service and all law enforcement.
“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,” he wrote. “Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening. GOD BLESS AMERICA!”
Trump also extended his condolences to the family of the person killed at the rally. Trump flew to New Jersey after visiting the Pennsylvania hospital, landing shortly after midnight at Newark Liberty International Airport.
Who is handling the investigation?
The FBI is set to lead the investigation and said its working with the Secret Service and local and state law enforcement.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle briefed President Joe Biden and are working with law enforcement partners to respond to and investigate the shooting, Mayorkas said on X. “We are engaged with President Biden, former President Trump, and their campaigns, and are taking every possible measure to ensure their safety and security.”
Republican U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson also said the House will conduct a full investigation of the attack on Trump’s campaign rally. “The American people deserve to know the truth,” Johnson said. “We will have Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle and other appropriate officials from DHS and the FBI appear for a hearing before our committees ASAP.”
What do we know about the shooter?
The FBI early Sunday identified the shooter as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. The Secret Service said it killed the suspected shooter, who fired from an elevated position outside the rally venue, a farm show. The shooter had fired multiple shots from “an elevated position outside of the rally venue,” the U.S. Secret Service said in a statement.
Two officials who spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity to discuss the ongoing investigation said the shooter was engaged by members of the U.S. Secret Service counterassault team. The heavily armed tactical team travels everywhere with the president and major party nominees and is meant to confront any active threats while other agents focus on safeguarding and evacuating the person at the center of protection.
Law enforcement recovered an AR-style rifle at the scene, according to a person familiar with the matter. The person was not authorized to discuss details of the investigation.
Why was Trump in Butler?
Trump was holding his final rally ahead of the Republican National Convention that begins Monday in Milwaukee. Pennsylvania is one of the most important states in the presidential race and Trump has had at least two rallies in the state this year so far. The convention is slated to continue despite the shooting and Trump advisers said he looks forward to attending.
What has been the reaction to the shooting?
The overall response from both sides of the aisle was one of gratitude that Trump wasn’t hurt. President Joe Biden spoke in a press briefing roughly three hours after the shooting. He said “everybody must condemn” the suspected assassination attempt. He said he had been unable to reach Trump before his remarks but did speak to him several hours later, according to the White House. “There’s no place in America for this type of violence,” the president said in public remarks. “It’s sick. It’s sick.”
Former lawmakers and presidents including Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, as well as the foundation set up by 99-year-old President Jimmy Carter, were also appreciative that the outcome wasn’t worse. Several of Trump’s fellow party members sent well wishes and prayers. Trump’s possible running mates — North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and Ohio Sen. JD Vance — also sent statements.
Even as the motivation behind the shooting wasn’t clear, Vance and some other Republicans assigned blame to the Biden campaign’s anti-Trump rhetoric. “Today is not just some isolated incident,” Vance wrote on X. “The central premise of the Biden campaign is that President Donald Trump is an authoritarian fascist who must be stopped at all costs. That rhetoric led directly to President Trump’s attempted assassination.”
