Donald Trump’s campaign says he’s “OK” after law enforcement investigates an assassination attempt at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Authorities say the shooter is a 20-year-old man from Pennsylvania.
In a social media post, Trump said he was “shot above the right ear.” The former president was hurriedly escorted off the stage by Secret Service agents with his ear bloodied.
Prosecutors said the suspected shooter and at least one spectator were killed, while the Secret Service said two spectators were seriously injured.
President Joe Biden and political leaders across the country have condemned the attack. “There is no place in America for this kind of violence,” Biden said. “This is terrible. This is terrible.”
Two law enforcement officials told The Associated Press that investigators believe the father of the suspected shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, purchased the weapon at least six months ago.
Federal investigators are trying to determine how and when Crooks got the gun and determine a motive and are gathering additional information about him, the officials said. The investigation is focused on Crooks. The officials were not authorized to discuss details of the investigation publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
Note
In a memo obtained by The Associated Press, senior advisers to the Trump campaign expressed gratitude to the Secret Service and all emergency responders for their efforts.
The memo also said staff in Washington and West Palm Beach, Florida, should stay away from the offices to investigate those locations. Armed security at the sites has been increased, the memo said.
“Our number one priority is ensuring the safety of all staff,” the memo states.
The memo also instructed staff not to comment publicly about the apparent assassination attempt on Trump and said dangerous comments on social media would not be tolerated.
Trump has said he plans to speak at the Republican National Convention, which kicks off in Milwaukee today (Monday, July 15).
“I love this country with all my heart, and I love you all, and I look forward to speaking to our great people from Wisconsin this week,” he said in a social media post Sunday morning.
Former President Donald Trump also posted on his social media network, saying, “Only God prevented the unthinkable and I thank you all for your thoughts and prayers yesterday.”
“We will not be afraid, but will remain faithful in our faith and stand against evil,” he said.
“My love goes out to the other victims and their families,” Trump said, “and I pray for the recovery of those injured and I hold in my heart the memory of our civilians who were murdered in such a horrific way.”
“Now more than ever it is important that we come together, show our true character as Americans, remain strong and resolute and do not let evil win,” he added.
FBI identifies suspect
The FBI identified Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, as the suspect in the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump early Sunday morning. The FBI said the investigation remains ongoing.
Crooks’ political leanings were not immediately clear — records show he was registered as a Republican voter in Pennsylvania, but federal campaign finance reports also show he donated $15 to a progressive political action committee on Jan. 20, 2021, the day President Joe Biden was sworn in as president.
Former President Donald Trump’s private jet arrived at Newark Liberty International Airport just after midnight on Sunday.
Video posted by an aide showed the president disembarking from the plane surrounded by Secret Service agents and heavily armed members of the agency’s response team, in an unusual show of force by the presidential guard.
Trump had planned to spend the night at his private golf club near Bedminster, New Jersey.
Meanwhile, President Joe Biden cut short a weekend trip to Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, and arrived at the White House early Sunday morning.
The White House said it would be briefed by the Department of Homeland Security and law enforcement officials later in the morning about the assassination attempt on Trump.
The official spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity to discuss details that have not yet been made public.
— The Associated Press
