Donald Trump’s campaign says he is “fine” after what law enforcement officials are treating as an assassination attempt during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Officials said the man who opened fire was a 20-year-old from Pennsylvania.
In a social media post, Trump said he was “shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear.” The former president was quickly whisked from the stage by Secret Service agents, his ear covered in blood.
A prosecutor said the suspected gunman and at least one attendee are dead, and the Secret Service said two spectators were critically injured.
President Joe Biden and political leaders of all stripes condemned the attack. “There’s no place in America for this type of violence,” Biden said. “It’s sick. It’s sick.”
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FBI names suspect in assassination attempt
The FBI early Sunday named Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, as the shooter in the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. The agency said the investigation remains active and ongoing.
The political leanings of Crooks were not immediately clear. Records show Crooks was registered as a Republican voter in Pennsylvania, but federal campaign finance reports also show he gave $15 to a progressive political action committee on Jan. 20, 2021, the day President Joe Biden was sworn in to office.
Trump lands in New Jersey, plans to spend the night at his private golf club. Biden back at White House
Former President Donald Trump’s private jet landed shortly after midnight Sunday at Newark Liberty International Airport.
Video posted by an aide showed him deplaning flanked by U.S. Secret Service agents and heavily armed members of the agency’s counter assault team, an unusually visible show of force by his protective detail.
Trump planned to spend the night at his private golf club in nearby Bedminster, New Jersey.
Meanwhile President Joe Biden arrived at the White House early Sunday after cutting short a weekend trip to Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.
The White House said he would receive a briefing from Homeland Security and law enforcement officials on the attempted assassination of Trump later in the morning.
Vice President Kamala Harris was also to attend.
Law enforcement officials say assailant who opened fire at Trump rally was a 20-year-old man from Pennsylvania
The officials spoke to AP on condition of anonymity to discuss details that had not yet been publicly released.
FBI says it’s ‘surprising’ the shooter was able to fire so many rounds
Asked if law enforcement did not know the shooter was on the roof until he began firing, Kevin Rojek, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Pittsburgh field office, responded, “that is our assessment at this time.”
“It is surprising” that the shooter was able to get off as many rounds as were fired, Rojek said. He added that “all the details of that will come out later investigation.”
Meanwhile State Police said the Secret Service was responsible for surveying the venue where the rally was held. Asked whether there was anything about the venue that made it particularly difficult to secure, Lt. Col. Bivens deferred to the Secret Service, which was not present at the news conference.
Bivens said he wouldn’t speculate when asked “how close a call” it was for Trump.
Bivens also said police have have identified the person killed and people injured but are not prepared to release names.
Other than Trump, two people were critically injured and one was killed. All were adult males.
FBI says investigators haven’t identified motive in assassination attempt against Trump
Kevin Rojek, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Pittsburgh field office, said late Saturday: “Tonight we had what we’re calling an assassination attempt on our former president, Donald Trump.”
“We do not currently have an identified motive,” he added.
The FBI was not prepared to release the identity of the shooter, who died at the scene.
Rojek said they received no specific threats ahead of the shooting.
Trump’s private jet has left Pennsylvania, according to a flight tracking website
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro also said Trump had left the area of Butler, where the rally was held.
Shapiro said Trump was “under the protection of US Secret Service and with the assistance of the Pennsylvania State Police.”
“Lori and I are thankful that his team reports that he is fine and we continue to wish him a full and speedy recovery,” the governor added.
Biden speaks with Trump
The White House said President Joe Biden spoke with former President Donald Trump on Saturday evening.
No further details were provided on the call.
Biden will convene a briefing with homeland security and law enforcement officials at the White House on Sunday morning.
Ivanka Trump, his eldest daughter: “Thank you for your love and prayers for my father and for the other victims of today’s senseless violence in Butler, Pennsylvania. I am grateful to the Secret Service and all the other law enforcement officers for their quick and decisive actions today. I continue to pray for our country. I love you Dad, today and always.”
Michael Cohen, Trump’s former lawyer and a key witness against him at his criminal trial: “Whether you agree or disagree with someone’s political position, THIS IS NOT THE SOLUTION!”
James Comer, a Kentucky Republican who chairs the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability: “Political violence in all forms is unamerican and unacceptable. There are many questions and Americans demand answers. I have already contacted the Secret Service for a briefing and am also calling on Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle to appear for a hearing.”
Billionaire Elon Musk: “I fully endorse President Trump and hope for his rapid recovery.”
The National Rifle Association: “We pray for the safety and well-being of President Trump and the brave men and women protecting him and all in attendance in PA.”
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, a Democrat: “I’m glad to hear President Trump is doing well following this terrible act of violence. Violence is never acceptable. My thoughts are with President Trump and everyone impacted by this inexcusable act that I strongly condemn.”
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese: “There is no place for violence in the democratic process. I am relieved to hear reports that former President Trump is now safe.”
Secret Service says 1 spectator killed, 2 critically injured after attacker fired ‘multiple shots’ at Trump rally
Multiple shots were fired toward the stage by a shooter at Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania, the Secret Service said, leaving one spectator dead and two critically injured.
The agency said the shooter fired from “an elevated position outside the rally venue.” Agents “neutralized” the shooter, who is now dead. The agency repeated that Trump is “safe” and is being evaluated.
Trump says his ear was hit by a bullet, nothing yet known about shooter
In a social media post, Trump said he was “shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear.”
He wrote on his Truth Social platform that he “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!”
Trump also thanked the Secret Service and other law endorsement for their “rapid response.” And he extended 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,” he said.
Another rally attendee was taken to the hospital, prosecutor tells CNN
Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger told CNN that in addition to the spectator who was killed, another attendee was taken to a local hospital and in serious condition.
“The shooter is dead,” Goldinger said.
He said the shooter was outside the rally grounds, but he didn’t give additional information about where.
“Quite frankly I don’t know how he would have gotten to the location where he was, but he was outside the grounds, and I think that’s something that we’re going to have to figure out — how he got there,” Goldinger told CNN.
More reactions
Vice President Kamala Harris: “Doug and I are relieved that he is not seriously injured. We are praying for him, his family, and all those who have been injured and impacted by this senseless shooting. … We must all condemn this abhorrent act and do our part to ensure that it does not lead to more violence.”
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell: “Tonight, all Americans are grateful that President Trump appears to be fine after a despicable attack on a peaceful rally. Violence has no place in our politics.”
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office: “We are shocked by the scenes at President Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania. We condemn all forms of political violence in the strongest terms and we send our best wishes to President Trump and his family at this time.”
Nikki Haley, Republican former South Carolina governor and United Nations ambassador: “This should horrify every freedom loving American,” and “Violence against presidential candidates must never be normalized.”
Democratic Massachusetts U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren: “Political violence is wrong and I condemn it. I hope everyone who attended the rally is ok and I am glad the former president is safe.”
Sen. Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican: “Thank God President Trump seems to be okay. Just another reminder of the times in which we live. We need to pray fervently for anyone who may have been injured at the rally.”
Former President Bill Clinton: “Violence has no place in America, especially in our political process. Hillary and I are thankful that President Trump is safe, heartbroken for all those affected by the attack at today’s rally in Pennsylvania, and grateful for the swift action of the U.S. Secret Service.”
Former Democratic Vice President Al Gore: The country “must join together to wholeheartedly and unequivocally condemn political violence,” and “the former president and those affected today are in my prayers.”
Democratic Mayor Cavalier Johnson of Milwaukee, which is hosting the upcoming Republican National Convention: .“No one should be shot — not like this. Not kids, not churchgoers, and not a candidate for President of the United States,” Johnson, a Democrat, said. “We must demand peace, whether it is in the political sphere or in homes and neighborhoods everywhere.”
Biden says ‘everybody must condemn’ attack at Trump rally
“There’s no place in America for this type of violence,” Biden said. “It’s sick. It’s sick.”
The president said “everybody must condemn” the attack, he is relieved that Trump is reportedly “doing well” and he hopes to speak with his 2024 presidential rival soon.
Biden said he was waiting for additional information before formally calling the attack an attempted assassination. “I have an opinion, but i don’t have any facts,” he told reporters, pledging to provide updates as he learns more.
The president also pledged to update the public later on whether they speak as well as additional details about the investigation.
Son says Trump “in great spirits”
Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., said he just spoke to his father on the phone and “he is in great spirits.”
“He will never stop fighting to save America, no matter what the radical left throws at him,” Trump Jr. said in a statement.
Biden to deliver remarks to nation after apparent assassination attempt on Trump
Biden will be delivering remarks from the White House’s emergency briefing room in Rehoboth Beach, Del., which is set up whenever the president travels to allow him to deliver remarks to the country in a matter of minutes.
Shooter was outside Trump rally, and was killed by Secret Service, law enforcement officials say
Two officials spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity to discuss the ongoing investigation. They said the shooter was not an attendee at the rally and was killed by U.S. Secret Service agents.
More condemnations of political violence
Former President Barack Obama said in a statement that “There is absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy.” He added that while details were still scarce, “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.”
“As one whose family has been the victim of political violence, I know firsthand that political violence of any kind has no place in our society,” former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said. “I thank God that former President Trump is safe. As we learn more details about this horrifying incident, let us pray that all those in attendance at the former President’s rally today are unharmed.”
House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said on the social platform X that his thoughts and prayers are with former President Trump. “I am thankful for the decisive law enforcement response,” he said. “America is a democracy. Political violence of any kind is never acceptable.”
