A shooting occurred at a Donald Trump rally on Saturday, followed by the former president being rushed off the stage with blood around his ear. Here’s what we know about the situation so far.
Trump was speaking at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, when loud noises were heard in the crowd around 6.13pm.
Trump appeared to have been struck by something in the area of his right ear as he was speaking, and videos show him quickly clutching his ear and then ducking down to the ground, as security agents and others leap to his aid.
One spectator was killed and at least two were injured.
Trump stood up with blood on the side of his face and appeared to be saying “fight, fight” while pumping his fist.
Trump was then quickly escorted from the stage and into his vehicle.
The rally location is now an active crime scene. The FBI has taken over the investigation.
Trump’s team and the Secret Service confirmed that he was “fine” and being checked at a local medical facility.
Trump later posted a statement on Truth Social, saying he was hit by a “bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear”.
The Butler county district attorney confirmed that the suspected shooter and one rally attendee were dead. One person at the rally was in serious condition. The Secret Service later said two people were critically injured.
The shooting is being investigated as an attempted assassination.
The FBI later named Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, PA as the “subject involved” in the shooting. He is a registered on voter records as a Republican but also once donated $15 to a liberal voter group.
The Secret Service shared more details on the shooter’s position and confirmed that the shooter was killed by the Secret Service. ABC News reported that law enforcement officials said the suspect was perched on a rooftop and used an AR-style rifle.
The Republican-controlled House of Representatives summoned the director of the Secret Service, Kimberly Cheatle, to testify at an Oversight Committee hearing scheduled for 22 July.
The president, Joe Biden, said “everybody must condemn political violence” in a speech shortly after the shooting. The White House later said the president and Trump had spoken. Biden is traveling back to the White House. Trump is in New Jersey.
