The investigation continues into an assassination attempt on former Donald Trump at a political rally in Bethel, Pennsylvania, on Saturday.
The FBI identified the suspected gunman as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel, Pennsylvania, a registered Republican whom officials said was armed with an AR-15-style rifle and fired up to eight shots before a Secret Service sharpshooter shot and killed him, law enforcement officials told ABC News.
The suspect appeared to be wearing a T-shirt and tan camouflage shorts that blended into the colors of the building he was perched atop.
The firearm recovered at the scene of the assassination attempt was legally purchased by the suspect’s father, an urgent trace conducted by the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) found, according to multiple law enforcement sources.
Trump posted on his Truth Social site that he suffered a bullet wound to his right ear in the attack.
Trump was less than 10 minutes into his campaign speech and had turned his head to look at a jumbotron when the gunfire began, according to witnesses and video of the moment. Video captured the former president reaching for his ear and going to the ground as multiple shots could be heard.
A second man, Corey Comperatore, was fatally shot at the rally. Two other attendees were shot and wounded.
After President Joe Biden denounced the attack Saturday, Trump thanked the US Secret Service and other law enforcement agencies for their fast response as part of his statement on Truth Social. He also said it was “incredible that such an act can take place in our country.”
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7:45 pm Saturday: One dead, Trump ‘fine’ after possible assassination attempt in Pennsylvania
Donald Trump was rushed off stage during an election rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday after a possible assassination attempt on the former president.
Secret Service agents swarmed Trump and ducked behind the podium. Blood could be seen on his right ear of Trump as agents surrounded him and led him off the stage to a waiting vehicle to whisk him away.
Trump is “fine,” a spokesperson said. The alleged shooter is dead, as well as at least one bystander, according to Butler County District Attorney Richard A. Goldinger.
Security is being increased across New York City following a possible assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, officials said.
Out of an abundance of caution, the NYPD is increasing its presence across the city, including at Trump Tower, 40 Wall Street, Foley Square and City Hall.
President Biden has condemned the shooting at the Trump rally and called on other Americans to do the same.
“The idea that there’s political violence or violence in America like this, is just unheard of. It’s just not appropriate,” he said at a news conference.
Biden said he was trying to get ahold of Trump, who he called Donald, on the phone and wanted to talk to him.
“There is no place in America for this violence. It’s sick,” he said.
