Former President Donald Trump survived a brazen assassination attempt Saturday evening as a 20-year-old gunman opened fire on a campaign rally, injuring Trump’s right ear and killing a spectator, officials said.
Trump was rushed off stage with blood dripping on his face after gunshots rang out at the rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, and the sniper, identified by the FBI as Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, was killed by Secret Service agents. Two specators were in serious condition.
“This evening we had what we are calling an assassination attempt against our former president, Donald Trump,” Kevin Rojek, FBI special agent in charge, said at late-night press conference in Butler. The FBI has not released the motive in the attack.
Trump said he was shot in the ear and an email sent out late Saturday night from his campaign team quoted him saying “I will never surrender.”
Secret Service Spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said in a statement that Crooks fired multiple shots toward the stage at approximately 6:15 p.m. Crooks had been positioned on a rooftop more than 100 yards from the rally site.
Lt. Col. George Bivens of the Pennsylvania State Police said law enforcement is following up on a “number of suspicious occurrences” including accounts from witnesses who said they tried to flag police about the activity of a person outside the rally moments before the shooting.
More:Citing his recent comments, Republicans blame Joe Biden for Donald Trump rally shooting
“It is surprising,” Rojek said when asked about the alleged gunman’s close vicinity to the rally. He said the gunman’s proximity is among the details that will come out in the investigation. Rojek added: “The Secret Service really needs to answer that question. They conduct the initial site survey.”
Trump reached for his ear as the gunfire erupted. Attendees at the rally began screaming as agents pushed Trump to the ground.
The former president was removed from the site by Secret Service, with his fist raised. Steven Cheung, Trump’s spokesperson, confirmed in a statement that the former president is “fine” but had seen doctors at an area medical facility.
A Secret Service posting on social media confirmed that agents “neutralized” the assassin and that he was dead. Law enforcement recovered an AR-style rifle from the scene. A male innocent bystander at the rally was killed, the FBI confirmed.
The former president said in a statement that “It is incredible that such an act can take place in our country.”
Gunman identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks
The man who shot former President Donald Trump at a Pennsylvania political rally has been identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks.
“The FBI has identified Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, as the subject involved in the assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump on July 13, in Butler, Pennsylvania,” the Bureausaid i a statement. “This remains an active and ongoing investigation, and anyone with information that may assist with the investigation is encouraged to submit photos or videos online at FBI.gov/butler or call 1-800-CALL-FBI.”
Crooks was killed by law enforcement officials moments after he opened fire.
Crooks was registered as a Republican and was in active voting status, according to the database service LexisNexis. He appears to have attended Bethel Park High School, graduating in 2022.
−Christopher Cann and Aysha Bagchi
FBI says it is almost ready to identify shooter
Rojek, a special agent in charge of the FBI’s Pittsburgh field office, said the bureau isn’t prepared to identify the shooter just yet.
“We are close to that identification, and as soon as we are 100% confident in who that individual is, we will share it,” he said.
“With that being said, also, we do not currently have an identified motive, although our investigators are working tirelessly to attempt to identify what that motive was,” Rojek added.
– Aysha Bagchi
White House: Biden speaks to Trump after shooting at rally
Joe Biden spoke to Donald Trump Saturday night after Trump was attacked at a rally in Pennsylvania.
Biden told reporters he had tried to call Trump, but the former president was with his doctors. A White House official said later that Biden spoke to Trump; Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Bob Dandoy, the mayor of Butler, Pennsylvania, where the rally was held.
No details of the conversation were disclosed.
–Michael Collins
More:Top Democrats condemn political violence after Trump assassination attempt
Trump returns to New Jersey
After his release from the hospital, Trump traveled back to New Jersey, where he has a home.
Television cameras filmed the Trump plane landing in Newark late Saturday.
The former president is still scheduled to fly Sunday to Milwaukee, site of next week’s Republican nominating convention. But it is not known whether Trump will stick to his schedule in light of the shooting.
– David Jackson
Law enforcement recovered AR-style rifle: reports
Law enforcement recovered an AR-style rifle from the scene of the shooting at Trump’s Pennsylvania political rally, according to reports from the Associated Press and the New York Times.
The AP cited a source familiar with the matter who wasn’t authorized to discuss investigation details. The New York Times cited two law enforcement officials.
– Aysha Bagchi
‘Somebody failed’
A former Justice Department official and Trump legal aide called out the Secret Service after the close call in Pennsylvania on Saturday.
“A sick person on a roof with a rifle shoots at the former president and misses killing him by an absolute quirk of fate,” said Mark Corallo. “He turned his head a millimeter, and instead of it going through his brain, the shot glanced off his ear.”
“A guy on a roof with a rifle. That’s a security failure,” said Corallo, who was a Justice Department spokesman in the early 2000s and later served as spokesman for Trump’s legal team.
“The job of the protective detail is to protect the president. Somebody failed. Donald Trump got shot and it is as dark a day for America as I can remember.”
−Dan Morrison
Biden returning to White House after attack on Trump
President Joe Biden is cutting his weekend trip to Delaware short and heading back to the White House following the attack on Donald Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania.
Biden was scheduled to spend the weekend at his beach house in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, and then travel Monday to Texas to deliver a speech on civil rights and democracy at the LBJ Presidential Library in Austin. Biden will now travel back to the White House on Saturday night.
– Michael Collins
FBI taking lead role in investigation after shooting at Trump rally, asks for tips
The FBI is assuming the role as “lead federal law enforcement agency” in the investigation of the shooting at Trump’s Pennsylvania political rally, the bureau said in a statement late Saturday.
Special agents from the bureau’s Pittsburgh field office responded immediately to the incident, including members of its crisis response team as well as evidence response technicians, the bureau said.
The bureau asked anyone with information that could help the investigation to call its tip line at: 1-800-CALL-FBI.
– Aysha Bagchi
Merrick Garland denounces shooting as ‘attack on our democracy’
U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement that he had been briefed on the shooting at the Trump rally and several segments of federal law enforcement, including the FBI, are working with the Secret Service and local law enforcement.
“My heart is with the former President, those injured, and the family of the spectator killed in this horrific attack,” Garland said.
Garland vowed to bring “every available resource to bear” on the investigation.
“We will not tolerate violence of any kind, and violence like this is an attack on our democracy,” Garland said.
– Aysha Bagchi
Trump VP finalists Vance, Rubio and Burgum offer prayer, horror and anger after shooting
Potential Republican vice presidential candidates – like many Donald Trump supporters – reacted to Saturday’s assassination attempt with a combination of prayer, horror, and anger.
Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, all but blamed rhetoric from President Joe Biden’s campaign, saying on the social media platform X that “today is not just some isolated incident.”
North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum also cited Trump’s opponents in paying tribute to the wounded 2024 GOP candidate. “We all know President Trump is stronger than his enemies,” Burgum said on X. “Today he showed it.”
Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., offered a prayerful statement: “God protected President Trump.” He also posted some of the news stories about the shooting, and criticized aspects of the news coverage.
− David Jackson
House lawmakers to investigate shooting
The House Oversight committee will hold a hearing to investigate the shooting at Donald Trump’s rally, Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., said in a statement Saturday.
He said he has already contacted the Secret Service for a briefing and is asking Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle to appear at the hearing.
The House Homeland Security Committee has also requested an official briefing. “We will be conducting thorough oversight to ensure the American people receive answers,” the committee posted on its X account.
− Riley Beggin
Trump supporters gather at Trump Tower
Hours after an assassination attempt on former President Trump during a rally in Pennsylvania, supporters gathered outside Trump Tower in New York City.
Some were waving flags, others were draped in them. Most were wearing MAGA hats. Around 10 p.m, there was also a heavy police presence at the entrance of the building and on the street.
Katie Sullivan, 48, a lawyer from Brooklyn, came to Trump Tower with her friends carrying lit candles. “I am here to support a fellow New Yorker, a fellow American and to make sure we are still part of a Republic.”
She said she was worried about where the country was headed with this level of violence, and blamed rhetoric from the media and the Democrats for the attack on Trump.
Linda Andrews, who works as nanny in Manhattan, said she felt compelled to come to Trump Tower because she was fearful that “things could fall apart at any time.”
“I want him to see that we are upset and that we love him.”
— Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy
Lloyd Austin says violence at Donald Trump rally ‘has absolutely no place in our democracy’
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said in a statement on Saturday night that “The entire Department of Defense condemns this violence, which has absolutely no place in our democracy.”
“This is not the way that we resolve our differences in America—and it must never be. I’m relieved that reports indicate former President Trump is safe, and I am praying for him and his family and everyone affected by this appalling incident,” he added.
− Tom Vanden Brook
Schumer, Jeffries react to shooting
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., posted statements on social media condemning political violence following the shooting.
“I am horrified by what happened at the Trump rally in Pennsylvania and relieved that former President Trump is safe. Political violence has no place in our country,” Schumer said.
Jeffries said his “thoughts and prayers” were with the former president.
“I am thankful for the decisive law enforcement response. America is a democracy. Political violence of any kind is never acceptable,” Jeffries said.
−Rachel Barber
VP Harris reacts to shooting at Trump rally
Vice President Kamala Harris said she and first gentleman Doug Emhoff were relieved that Trump was not seriously injured.
“We are praying for him, his family, and all those who have been injured and impacted by this senseless shooting,” she said in a statement.She said they were grateful to the United States Secret Service, first responders, and local authorities for their immediate action.“Violence such as this has no place in our nation,” she said. “We must all condemn this abhorrent act and do our part to ensure that it does not lead to more violence.”−Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy
Trump issues statement on shooting, calls it ‘incredible that such an act’ can take place in US
Former President Donald Trump issued a statement on the shooting, thanking the Secret Service and law enforcement and extending his condolences to this person who was killed at he rally.
“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,” Trump said in a statement on Truth Social.
“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!”
−Joey Garrison
Netanyahu sends prayers to Trump
Shortly after news broke about the shooting, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he and his wife were praying for former President Donald Trump.
“Sara and I were shocked by the apparent attack on President Trump,” he said in a post on X, formerly Twitter. “We pray for his safety and speedy recovery.”
−Rachel Barber
Mayorkas: DHS working with law enforcement partners to investigate Trump rally shooting
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said Saturday that has been briefed on the shooting incident and that DHS is working with law enforcement partners to respond and investigate the shooting
Mayorkas said maintaining the security of presidential candidates and their events are top DHS priority.
“We condemn this violence in the strongest possible terms and commend the Secret Service for their swift action today,” he said in a statement. “We are engaged with President Biden, former President Trump, and their campaigns, and are taking every possible measure to ensure their safety and security.”
− Rebecca Morin
Biden calls shooting at Trump rally ‘sick,’ says he hopes to speak to Trump
Joe Biden delivered brief remarks about the shooting that occurred the Trump rally, calling it “sick” and saying he hopes to speak to Trump later Saturday night.
“There is no place for this kind of violence in America. It’s sick. It’s sick,” Biden told reporters at an emergency briefing room in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, where he is spending the weekend.
“It’s one of the reasons we have to unite this country. We cannot allow for this to be happening. We cannot be like this. We cannot condone this.”
Biden said he has tried to get a hold of Trump by phone but has been unsuccessful. “So far it appears he is doing well,” he said, adding that every agency in the federal government is assembling to thoroughly investigate the shooting. “There’s some reports, but not final reports.”
“The bottom line is, the Trump rally was a rally that should have been able to be conducted peacefully and without any problem,” Biden said. “But the idea – the idea – that there’s political violence, or violence in America like this, is just unheard of, it’s just not appropriate. Everybody, every must condemn it. Everybody. “
Biden said he will keep the public informed “and if I’m able to speak to Donald, I’ll let you know that as well.”
Biden, when asked whether he believes the shooting was an assassination, said: “I have an opinion but I don’t have any facts. I want to make sure I have all the facts before I make some comment.”
− Joey Garrison
Former Secret Service agent says apparent shooting may not immediately change Republican convention security
Former Secret Service agent Joe Funk told USA TODAY changing security for the Republican National Convention won’t be up next.
Now that Trump has been determined safe per reports from the Secret Service, the next steps are less about changing plans for Monday, and more finding how the violence happened in the first place.
“Most of the work that Secret Service is going to do is going to be pre-incident, ‘how did this guy get in… who is he? What was his motive? Is he connected with any other individuals?,” Funk said. “I think you’re going to see a lot of work pre-incident versus enhancing or ramping up security post-[incident].”
− Sam Woodward
Donald Trump Jr. says his father is in ‘great spirits’
Donald Trump Jr., the president’s son, shared in a statement: “I just spoke to my 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.”
− David Jackson
Biden campaign suspending TV ads after shooting
An official from the Biden campaign said it is pausing all outbound communications and working to pull down all of its television ads as quickly as possible following the shooting at the Trump rally.
−Joey Garrison
Joe Biden set to address apparent gunfire at Trump rally
Joe Biden is scheduled to address reporters on camera Saturday on the incident at Trump’s rally. No time has been given.
Biden’s campaign said it is pausing all outgoing communications and working to pull down its television ads as quickly as possible.
− Michael Collins
Joe Biden: ‘There’s no place for this kind of violence in America’
Stunned reactions immediately began pouring in from both sides of the aisle. President Joe Biden, in a statement, said, “I have been briefed on the shooting at Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania. 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,” Biden said.
− Michael Collins
George W. Bush, Laura Bush thank Secret Service
Former President George W. Bush said in a statement Saturday that “Laura and I are grateful that President Trump is safe following the cowardly attack on his life. And we commend the men and women of the Secret Service for their speedy response.”
− USA TODAY staff
Mike Johnson, Nikki Haley, other Republicans react
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., confirmed in a post on X that he has also been briefed on the attack.
“This horrific act of political violence at a peaceful campaign rally has no place in this country and should be unanimously and forcefully condemned,” Johnson shared.
Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, who competed against Trump for the 2024 Republican nomination, responded to the shooting in a post.
“This should horrify every freedom loving American. Violence against presidential candidates must never be normalized,” Haley said. “We are lifting up Donald Trump, the entire Trump family, and all in attendance in prayer.”
− USA TODAY staff
Nancy Pelosi condemns political violence
Former House Speaker Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., posted a statement to social media condemning the Trump rally shooting. Pelosi’s husband survived a violent attack by a right-wing conspiracy theorist in their San Francisco home in 2022.
“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,” 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.”
–Rachel Barber
Apparent shooting raises questions about Republican convention
The shocking moment also immediately raised questions about security at the Republican convention, set to begin next week. Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., said in a post on X that the Secret Service “needs to come out ASAP and let us know how this happened and how everyone at the RNC and DNC conventions will be safe.”
Texas official says he heard as many as eight shots
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller was in the front row at the rally in rural Pennsylvania and said he heard as many as eight shots, and saw a woman nearby who appeared to have been struck by gunfire.
“At first, I didn’t know what it was,” Miller told the American-Statesman by phone from the outdoor venue. “Then I heard ‘pop! pop!,’ and knew it was gunfire. Everybody got down but I stayed standing up to try to see what was going on.”
Miller said that he was not harmed and did not know the condition of the woman who appeared to have been hit.
− John Moritz
Contributing: USA TODAY Network
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