Donald Trump narrowly escaped an assassination attempt at a political rally on Saturday, prompting the FBI to seek information about how a gunman was able to attack a former U.S. president. Below is a detailed account of the shooting in Pennsylvania, where one Trump supporter was killed.
Location and Setting: The incident occurred at a political rally in Pennsylvania, where a large crowd had gathered to support Donald Trump.
Initial Attack: During the rally, a gunman opened fire, aiming at Trump. Security and law enforcement immediately responded to the threat.
Chaos and Response: The crowd panicked, and security personnel quickly moved to protect Trump, who was unharmed. The gunman continued to fire, leading to further chaos.
Casualty: Amid the turmoil, one Trump supporter was fatally shot.
The FBI launched an investigation into the attack, seeking to understand how the gunman managed to execute the attempt on a high-profile figure.
– How it unfolded –
Dressed in a white shirt, dark blazer and bright red MAGA cap, Trump was railing against illegal immigration when shots rang out at 6:08 pm (2208 GMT).
Trump grabbed his right ear as repeated shouts of “get down!” were heard, followed by a fifth and sixth shot. The former president crouched behind the lectern as Secret Service agents surrounded him. Screams were heard in the crowd.
Within four seconds, further shots were fired, causing more supporters to take cover while additional agents rushed to the stage. Seventeen seconds after the initial shots, a final pop was heard, followed by a woman screaming.
Three heavily-armed security members moved onto the stage 22 seconds after the shooting began. Secret Service agents quickly issued instructions, including “we’re clear” and “let’s move,” before assisting a disheveled Trump to his feet.
Visible again around one minute after the gunfire started, Trump said, “let me get my shoes” as agents formed a protective ring around him. Thirteen seconds later, Trump raised his fist to the crowd, who responded with cheers.
As Trump was escorted off the stage, holding his MAGA cap, onlookers chanted “USA!” Trump paused briefly to pump his fist in the air before stepping off the stage.
Two minutes after the assassination attempt began, Trump raised his fist once more and briefly turned toward the crowd before entering an SUV. As the car pulled away, heavily-armed security forces in khaki fatigues secured the scene.
– Trump says ‘felt the bullet’ –
Trump gave his first account of the shooting at 8:42 pm, posting on his Truth Social site.
“I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear,” Trump wrote.
“I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin.”
The White House said President Joe Biden was given an initial briefing on the incident by 6:50 pm.
“There’s no place in America for this kind of violence. It’s sick. It’s sick,” Biden told reporters in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.
Shortly before 10:30 pm, Biden’s office said he had spoken to Trump and would cut short his beach weekend to return to Washington.
– Shooter named –
The FBI identified the shooter as Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old from Pennsylvania’s Bethel Park, according to US media.
Crooks was named by the FBI “as the subject involved in the assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump”.
The New York Times, citing official records, reported that Crooks was registered to vote as a Republican, but had previously donated $15 to a liberal voter turnout group.
The Secret Service said the shooter “fired multiple shots toward the stage from an elevated position outside the rally” before being “neutralized” by agents.
Multiple witnesses said they saw the gunman before the shooting and alerted authorities.
Trump supporter Ryan Knight said he saw the attacker on a nearby building.
“When I was sitting there, a guy said: ‘Oh God, he had a gun’,” Knight told journalists.
A video published by US outlet TMZ shows the alleged shooter on a rooftop while holding a rifle.
The man has long brown hair and is seen lying on his front wearing khaki clothes, according to the footage, which AFP was unable to immediately verify.
Local police said they had “responded to a number of reports of suspicious activity” but gave no further details.
The attacker was armed with an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle, US media reported.
– Victims –
The gunman and a bystander were killed at the rally, while two spectators were critically wounded.
Two witnesses told US media they saw a man fatally shot in the head.
“The man beside me suffered a gunshot to the head, was instantly killed (and)… Another woman looked like she got hit in the forearm or hand,” a man, whose name was only given as Joseph, told NBC News.
A second witness, who said he was an emergency doctor, said he went to help after someone shouted that a person had been shot.
“The guy had spun around, was jammed between the benches. He had a headshot here,” he said, indicating a spot on his head, in comments shared widely in US media.
“There’s lots of blood and he had brain matter,” said the man, who was wearing a white USA T-shirt stained with blood.
Donald Trump narrowly escaped an assassination attempt at a political rally Saturday, leaving the FBI hunting for information about how a gunman could attack a former US president.
