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Assassination attempt on the life of former President Donald Trump. What we know (updated)
Photo: Donald Trump website
(updates are in red)
Donald Trump has survived the assassination attempt on his life. He was treated at a local Pennsylvania medical center, is now at his golf course home in Bedminster, NJ. The campaign has announced he intends to be at the Republican National Convention on Monday.
What we know
It had only been a few minutes into Donald Trump’s campaign rally, in Bethel, Pennsylvania, when “pops” rang out – first thought to be fireworks or a joke of some sort – quickly identified as just less than 10 shots.
One shot struck Trump just as he turned his head, striking him at the top of his ear. Trump had grabbed the area at the back of his neck, and immediately stooped down below the podium area. Shots continued to ring out. Armed security swarmed around him, while suited contingents thought to be Secret Service piled on top of Trump to protect him.
In about one minute or less Trump was standing, with the aid of security. Blood was streaming from his ear, into his ear, on the side of his face, and lips. He was quickly moved to the stairs and off the stage. He could be heard saying “let me get my shoes” and wanting to pause to fist pump the crowd and walk on his own, with the help of the security around him to a waiting SUV. He was taken to a local medical center for treatment.
The bunting area below the podium is bullet-proof and to be used for shelter in situations like this, according to Secret Service.
Later that night, Trump was seen getting off his plane, Trump Force One, at Bedminster. A later statement said he would be attending the convention on Monday.
Investigations
As Congress heads toward investigation we learn that the building the shooter was on was known to be of concern – why it was not being monitored is not known .
Injured/Dead
One person died immediately after being shot, with a fatal wound to his head. While some attempts were made at CPR, his head had brain matter showing, and the shot was fatal. At least one, perhaps two others attending the rally were injured, by most reports critically injured. Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-TX) says that his nephew was shot during the assassination attempt on Trump. A bullet grazed his neck.
The man who was shot and died was identified as a 50 year old, former fire chief for Buffalo Township, Corey Comperatore. His wife said he dove on top of his family to protect them. He was an avid Donald Trump supporter, and went to church every Sunday.
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The Shooter
The shooter was identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old from Bethel Park, PA, about an hour’s drive from the rally. He was seen climbing up to a roof of a building outside of the secured rally area, and dog crawling into position, with an AR-15-type semiautomatic rifle. Several bystanders attempted to alert security of his presence. Sharp-shooters on the roof of a building closer to the rally immediately fired and killed the shooter. The roof area was over 100 feet away from the enclosed rally area.
There is audio of a woman screaming, “Crooks, what are you doing? Get over here.” And others screaming just before shots rang out, “He’s got a gun”. At least 8 shots of one caliber could be heard, followed by 2 or 3 of another, attributed to the sharp-shooting taking him out.
The New York Times reports the shooter as a registered Republican who had also donated to a progressive Democratic cause through ActBlue. He graduated, receiving a math and science award in 2022 from Bethel Park High School. He also graduated from community college.
CNN spoke with the shooter’s father who declined to speak further, other than saying, “I’m still trying to figure out what the hell is going on.”
On the day of the shooting his father called police to say he was worried that his son and a rifle were missing. Crooks had purchased ammunition on the day of the shooting at a local firearms and ammo store.
Video of sharp-shooters immediately returning fire and killing the shooter on the roof:
The shooter’s home was searched and bomb making equipment was found there, and also in his car.
Classmates of Crooks describe him as a loner, with no friends, severely bullied, who ate alone in the cafeteria. He often wore hunting clothing to class.
The gun was purchased by his father. On the day of the shooting he told his father he was going to the gun range. He was a member of a shooting club.
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Statements
From Donald Trump on Truth Social
From the Secret Service:
President Joe Biden spoke and said he would try to “talk with Donald” later that night.
World leaders issued statements of shock and hope that America could move forward with its elections with peace.
Social Media raises questions
BBC reporter interview rally attender who watched from outside the area, and tried to alert security to the shooter’s presence:
The FBI will lead the investigation as the situation has been declared an official assassination attempt.
This morning, Donald Trump posted this:
This is a developing story.
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Melania Trump has release this statement:
Milwaukee is the site of the Republican National Convention starting on Monday
Much increased security is being put into place as the convention will continue.
The DNC is removing 57 bus wraps and hundreds of billboards with “attack ad” themes against Donald Trump in Milwaukee, site of the RNC convention.