Shooting at Trump Rally Shocks the World
It was a hectic scene after the shooting at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania, which authorities are calling an assassination attempt. The incident has left the nation reeling.
The shooting took place in Butler, PA, at around 6:15 PM. The bullet grazed Trump’s ear, but the former president was otherwise uninjured. The event killed one spectator and injured two others. Trump’s Secret Service agents killed the shooter.
Timeline of Events: Shooting at Trump Rally
- Trump supporters gathered at the Butler Farm Show grounds to hear the former president speak.
- Trump took the stage at around 6:03 PM. He spoke for a few minutes before the shots rang out.
- Popping sounds came from the left of where Trump was standing.
- Trump turned toward the sound and grabbed his ear. Blood appeared on his face. The crowd screamed, and more shots rang out as he ducked for cover behind the lectern.
- Secret Service agents jumped on top of the president. They eventually moved him to a standing position and formed a barrier around him so he could safely exit the stage.
- Trump lifted his fist and shouted, “Fight, fight, fight,” as he left the stage. Later, he received treatment at a local hospital and then flew to New Jersey.
“I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound and shots and immediately felt the bullet ripping through my skin. Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening,” the former president said, describing the shooting at Trump rally.
Others Injured During the Shooting at Trump Rally
Trump was not the only one who fell victim to the shooting. A spectator, later identified as Corey Comperatore, a former fireman of Buffalo Township, was killed.
The shooting wounded two other people. Doctors are treating them at the Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh.
A Secret Service sniper killed the shooter. Subsequently, authorities identified him as Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old resident of Bethel Park, PA. He had been standing on a roof about 500 feet from where Trump was speaking when he opened fire.
Investigation Underway
The Secret Service and FBI began their investigation immediately after the shooting took place. Authorities cleared the area and declared it a crime scene. They will investigate the gunman’s motives and determine if he had any accomplices.
People are questioning how the gunman got so close to Trump. U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas said in a “Good Morning America” interview that the gunman should never have gotten that close to Trump.
Several people in the crowd reportedly spotted the gunman before the incident occurred. An off-duty officer climbed onto the rooftop to try and stop the gunman but retreated when the gunman turned the weapon on him.
Trump Addresses Supporters
Trump addressed supporters the day after the shooting. The 78-year-old asked the public to “stand united” in a new Truth Social post.
“Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and prayers yesterday, as it was God alone who prevented the unthinkable from happening. We will FEAR NOT but instead remain resilient in our Faith and Defiant in the face of wickedness. Our love goes out to the other victims and their families. We pray for the recovery of those who were wounded and hold in our hearts the memory of the citizen who was so horribly killed.”
“In this moment, it is more important than ever that we stand United and show our True Character as Americans, remaining Strong and Determined, and not allowing Evil to Win. I truly love our Country, and love you all, and look forward to speaking to our Great Nation this week from Wisconsin,” Trump wrote.