Politics
President Trump survives apparent assassination attempt after shots fired at Pennsylvania rally
The former president defiantly raised his fist to signal that he had survived. A report filed by ABC News said that, “there appeared to be blood on his right ear as he was being taken off stage.”
July 13, 2024 7:04pm
Updated: July 14, 2024 9:19am
Former President Donald Trump survived an apparent assassination attempt after he was struck by a bullet fired at a political rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, Saturday evening shortly after 6 p.m.
The former president was shielded by U.S. Secret Service agents and hurried off stage as loud shots were heard. The gunman, now identified by the FBI as 20-year old Pennsylvania resident Thomas Matthew Crooks, was quickly neutralized by federal agents, and authorities have reported that the suspected gunman and one other attendee died while two others were seriously injured.
Secret Service agents quickly huddled around the former president and the former president was escorted off stage to safety. Trump then defiantly raised his fist to signal that he had survived, and shouted, “fight, fight, fight!” followed by several cheers of attendees repeatedly responding, “USA, USA!”
Shortly after the incident, a report filed by ABC News said of the former president that, “there appeared to be blood on his right ear as he was being taken off stage.” The former president seemed stunned as he was being led off stage and could be heard telling the federal agents he wanted to get his shoes.
A statement released by the Secret Service said “the former President is safe,” and added that the shooter “fired multiple shots toward the stage from an elevated position outside of the rally venue” after which time agents immediately “neutralized the shooter, who is now deceased.”
The former president immediately commended law enforcement officials for their courage and diligence through a statement released by a campaign spokesperson.
“President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act,” spokesman Steven Cheung said in a statement, according to a report filed by The Associated Press. “He is fine and being checked out at a local medical facility. More details will follow.”
President Biden addressed the nation shortly after the shooting and subsequently called Trump, adding that there was “no place in America for violence.”
The president released a statement on The White House website, writing, “I have been briefed on the shooting at Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania," the president wrote. "I’m grateful to hear that he’s safe and doing well. I’m praying for him and his family and for all those who were at the rally, as we await further information Jill and I are grateful to the Secret Service for getting him to safety. There’s no place for this kind of violence in America. We must unite as one nation to condemn it.”
Trump also posted a statement on TRUTH Social at 8:42 p.m. to offer his gratitude to law enforcement and first responders for their effectiveness in shielding him from the apparent assassin who fired as many as eight rounds from an AR-style rifle while perched on a rooftop near to the rally. He was 200-300 yards away at the time of the shooting, according to a report published by ABC News.
“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,” he wrote.
“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!”
House Speaker Mike Johnson said he and his wife were praying for Trump, and those who attended the Pennsylvania rally, in a statement they released on social media.
“Kelly and I are praying for President Trump and all the attendees of the campaign rally today in Pennsylvania, and we send our gratitude to the law enforcement who responded at the scene,” the speaker posted to X. “I have been briefed by law enforcement and am continuing to monitor the developments. This horrific act of political violence at a peaceful campaign rally has no place in this country and should be unanimously and forcefully condemned.”
Other political leaders and former presidents also offered their concerns and commended law enforcement for their efforts.
“Laura and I are grateful that President Trump is safe following the cowardly attack on his life,” former President George W. Bush said in a statement shared by his presidential center. “We commend the men and women of the Secret Service for their speedy response.”
Crooks, a 20-year old resident of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania graduated in 2022 from Bethel Park High School, which has about 1,400 students, and received a $500 “star award” the same year from the National Math and Science Initiative, according to a June 2022 report published by The Tribune Review in western Pennsylvania.
Bethel Park, located south of Pittsburgh, is about an hour’s drive from where the Trump rally was taking place in Butler. Allegheny County voter registration records revealed that Crooks is a registered Republican, but that he also made a $15 donation to the Progressive Turnout Project, a left wing voter turnout organization, through the Democratic donation platform ActBlue in January 2021.
This is a developing story.
