Shots rang out at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania around 6 p.m. ET. According to the FBI, the suspect used an AR rifle to fire a total of no less than eight rounds, with Trump being shot in the right ear, and one other victim at the scene was killed and two others were seriously injured. The dead man was identified as a local firefighter. Immediately after the shooting, Trump left the venue in a vehicle escorted by agents and law enforcement.
According to relevant media reports, after the attack on Trump, U.S. law enforcement agencies and other relevant departments sent a total of no less than six rescue helicopters to the scene of the incident. In addition, in the air above the hospital where Trump was treated, there are also police helicopters constantly circling to investigate. Subsequently, former President Trump was confirmed to be unharmed and will continue to participate in the Republican National Convention and subsequent campaign events this week as originally planned.
On the basis of testimony from eyewitnesses at the scene, shortly before the shots were fired, a witness at the scene observed a young man armed with a weapon climbing a building in the vicinity of the rally. The witness immediately reported the situation to surrounding police and Secret Service officers. One officer climbed onto the roof and encountered the suspect and was threatened at gunpoint, so the officer immediately retreated. The suspect took this opportunity to fire several shots in the direction of the venue. It was confirmed that the suspect was killed on the scene by a sniper.
FBI investigation revealed that the shooter was identified as a local white man, Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, whose political leanings the FBI says are unknown at this time but who is registered as a Republican voter in Pennsylvania. Police seized weapons at the scene that were legally purchased by the suspect's father, according to the investigation, and also searched the suspect's home and vehicle for bomb-making materials. The FBI is currently characterizing this incident as an attempted assassination and a potential act of domestic terrorism. They believe the shooter acted alone, as no threatening statements or ideological stances have been found on his social media platforms.
Crooks graduated from Bertram Park High School in 2022. According to the Tribune-Review at the time, Crooks was one of several students who won math and science awards during his senior year. Frederick Mach, the current captain of the school's rifle team, said in an interview that the suspect tried to join the school's rifle team but was rejected because of poor shooting skills. Another interview with a classmate of Crooks' said that Crooks was often bullied at school, sitting alone at lunchtime and having classmates make fun of his clothing.
President Joe Biden gave a major speech from the Oval Office of the White House following the Trump assassination. He said that such "political violence" cannot be tolerated in the United States and that political differences should be resolved at the ballot box. Biden also expressed his condolences to the victims of the attack and all those involved and their families, and said he had spoken to Trump on the phone. Earlier, Biden's team announced the suspension of all campaign activities and as soon as possible to remove all TV campaign ads.
This unexpected attack on a U.S. presidential candidate has added to an already chaotic campaign year. Trump's tweet after the attack said it was time to unite. Biden has also publicly stated that the assassination attempt on Trump goes against what the United States stands for as a nation. According to pollsters, the incident will favorably impact Trump's campaign support for some time.
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