What is Known About the Attack on Donald Trump at His Pennsylvania Rally

What is Known About the Attack on Donald Trump at His Pennsylvania Rally

Former President Donald Trump was shot and wounded at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania on July 13. Here is what we know so far.

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Photo: CNN

The attack occurred minutes after 18.00 local time (22.00 GMT) on July 13, when Trump had just begun his speech. About 150 meters north of the former president, an armed man climbed onto the roof of a building outside the security perimeter of the rally. He was carrying an AR-style weapon. Six minutes into Trump’s speech, the armed man aimed at Trump and pulled the trigger.

The shooter, later identified by the FBI as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, fired multiple shots, including one that, according to Trump, grazed his ear. Trump ducked and fell to the ground. Five Secret Service agents rushed to the stage and shielded the former president as the sound of two more bursts of gunfire echoed through the Butler Farm Show venue.

Forty-three seconds after the first shot was fired, a Secret Service agent reported that the shooter was down. Trump, with his ear and face bloodied, was helped to his feet. He raised his fist in a defiant and iconic gesture to his supporters to let them know he was okay before agents led him off the stage and into his vehicle.

At least three rally attendees were shot, one of whom died. The investigation into the incident, which is already underway, involves the FBI, the Secret Service, and the Department of Homeland Security.

What is Known About the Attacker of Donald Trump

The FBI identified Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, as the shooter involved in the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump.

Although the federal agency is still investigating, no conclusive details about the assailant’s motivations have been revealed yet. “It remains an active and ongoing investigation, and anyone with information that could help is encouraged to submit photos or videos online,” the FBI said in a statement.

Local Pittsburgh media WTAE reported that the attacker used an AR-15 rifle and fired eight shots before being taken down by Secret Service agents. Crooks left one fatality and two seriously injured among the crowd, all adult men. Investigators believe the weapon was purchased by his father at least six months ago, and they are still working to understand how and when Thomas Crooks obtained it.

According to electoral documentation, Crooks was registered as a Republican voter in Pennsylvania. However, federal campaign finance records show he made a $15 donation to a progressive political action committee on the same day President Joe Biden was inaugurated on January 20, 2021.

The FBI said that it has not identified any threatening writings or social media posts from Crooks, who graduated from high school two years ago and had no prior criminal record, according to public court records.

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Photo: REUTERS/Aaron Josefczyk

Jason Kohler, who said he attended the same high school but did not share classes with Crooks, mentioned that Crooks was bullied and often sat alone at lunch. Other students mocked him for his attire, such as his hunting outfit, Kohler said.

Crooks worked in a nursing home as a dietary aide, a job that typically involves food preparation. In a statement provided to USA TODAY on Sunday, Marcie Grimm, the administrator of Bethel Park Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation, said she was “shocked and saddened to learn of his involvement.” Grimm added that Crooks had no criminal record when he was hired.

CNN reported that when agents reached the sniper, who lay on the roof where he had fired the shots, he had no identification on him, complicating his identification for several hours.

Statements by Donald Trump After the Attack

The former president said he has changed the tone and content of his speech for the convention to focus on unity instead of criticizing President Joe Biden:This is an opportunity to unite the country. I was given that opportunity.

Regarding the moment of the attack, Trump recounted, “It is hard to describe what I felt, but I knew the world was watching. I knew history would judge this, and I knew I had to let them know we are okay.

Speaking from Delaware, President Joe Biden condemned the attack, calling it “sick.” “There is no place in America for this kind of violence. Everyone must condemn it,” he said.

The White House later said President Biden had spoken with Trump before returning to Washington, D.C. Politicians from both parties joined Biden in condemning the attack.

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Photo: El Colombiano
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