Current developments: An investigation is underway following an attempted assassination involving former U.S. President Donald Trump, who was shot in the ear during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13. The incident resulted in one fatality and two individuals sustaining critical injuries.
How did the shooting occur?
On the evening of July 13, shortly after former U.S. President Trump began his speech in Butler discussing the increase in illegal border crossings, at least five gunshots were heard. In footage of the incident, Trump can be seen gripping his right ear behind the podium as Secret Service agents rushed to his side, urging him to “Get down.” As he dropped to the ground amid the chaos, he later emerged with blood on his face. Demonstrating his resilience, he raised his fist in defiance, shouting “Fight! Fight! Fight!” before being quickly escorted to a black SUV by his security team.
Who is the shooter?
The suspected shooter, identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, attacked Trump from an elevated position outside the rally venue and was killed at the scene. Authorities recovered an AR-style rifle at the location. The FBI has stated that no motive has been determined for the attempted assassination, and the investigation is ongoing.
According to state voter records, Crooks was a registered Republican. However, he had also donated $15 to a progressive political action committee in 2021, coinciding with President Joe Biden’s inauguration, as reported by the AP.
What was the reaction of rally attendees?
A witness described the chaos of the apparent assassination attempt on the Republican presidential candidate, recalling how a man next to him was shot and killed. “I heard several gunshots. The man beside me was hit in the head and fell to the bottom of the bleachers. Another woman appeared to be injured in the forearm or hand,” he told NBC News. He noted that the victim seemed to be “in the line of fire between the shooter and the President.”
Republican Dan Meuser, seated in the front row with other officials and candidates, stated, “It was clear after the first shot that it was gunfire. There was a lot of mayhem—a terrible tragedy, a terrible shame.”
Rico Elmore, vice-chairman of the Beaver County Republican Party, was seated in a special guest section facing President Trump when he first heard what he thought were firecrackers. “Everyone hesitated, but then it became clear these were actual gunshots. So, I yelled, ‘Get down!’” Elmore observed Secret Service agents assisting Trump off the stage and then heard someone nearby calling for a medic. He removed his tie and leaped over a barricade, only to find the victim had been shot in the head. “I held the victim’s head, but it was too late,” Elmore recalled. “It was a horror.”
Chet Jack, a member of the state Republican Party, and his wife, Beth, were in the bleachers facing Trump when they heard the gunfire. After the first round of shots, Beth ducked for cover, but then a second series of shots rang out. “I couldn’t see what was happening with President Trump because, as soon as I heard the first shot, I yelled, ‘Everybody get down!’” Beth recounted. While she sought shelter, Chet remained standing, believing the shots were coming from above and that ducking wouldn’t provide any protection.
Is Trump secure?
After the incident, Trump traveled to New Jersey to spend the night at his private golf club. He shared on his Truth Social account that he “knew immediately something was wrong” when he heard a whizzing sound and gunshots, and felt the bullet tearing through his skin. “There was significant bleeding, so I realized what was happening,” he wrote. He expressed gratitude to the Secret Service and law enforcement for their “rapid response.”
Trump also offered his condolences to the family of the individual killed at the rally, stating, “It’s incredible that such an act can occur in our country. Nothing is known at this time about the shooter, who is now deceased.”
Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., stated that his father was “in great spirits.” He added, “He will never stop fighting to save America, regardless of what the radical left throws at him.”
What has Biden expressed?
President Joe Biden returned to Washington from Delaware ahead of schedule after the attack at the Trump rally. The White House reported that Biden also spoke with former President Donald Trump. “I’m grateful to hear that [Trump is] safe and doing well. I’m praying for him, his family, and all those who were at the rally as we await further information. There’s no place for this kind of violence in America,” he stated.
Vice President Kamala Harris expressed her relief that Trump was not seriously injured, saying, “We are praying for him, his family, and all those affected by this senseless shooting.”
She added, “Violence like this has no place in our nation. We must all condemn this abhorrent act and do our part to prevent it from leading to further violence.”
What are global reactions?
The tragic incident has sent shockwaves around the world, with leaders coming together to condemn the attack and denounce political violence. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his “deep concern” for his friend, stating, “Violence has no place in politics and democracies. I wish him a speedy recovery. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the deceased, those injured, and the American people.”
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shared that he was “sickened” by the shooting, while a spokesperson for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned all forms of political violence. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the incident as “concerning and confronting.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his shock, and Jordan Bardella from the French far-right National Rally party remarked, “Violence is the poison of any democracy.”
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said she was “following updates from Pennsylvania with apprehension” and wished Trump a speedy recovery.
