The Attempted Assassination of Former President Donald Trump: What We Know
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are briefed by National Security Advisors and members of law enforcement agencies on the assassination attempt yesterday on former President Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, Sunday, July 14, 2024, in the White House Situation Room (Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz).
Here’s what we know about the rally shooting and the next steps for the Trump campaign.
Article by Victoria Newsome, Senior Election Correspondent
BUTLER, Pa. - In a shocking turn of events, former President Donald Trump was injured during an apparent assassination attempt at a rally on Saturday evening.
The incident unfolded at the Butler Farm Show Grounds, leaving two dead, including the shooter, and two others wounded. This tragic event has raised serious questions about security protocols at political events and the escalating climate of political violence in the United States.
At approximately 6:05 PM, Trump took the stage to address a crowd of supporters, speaking about his campaign and vision for the future. For about six minutes, he engaged with the audience, emphasizing unity and resilience.
6:10 PM: chaos erupted. A rally attendee shouted, “He’s got a gun!” prompting immediate panic among the crowd. In quick succession, several shots rang out. Eyewitness accounts indicate that Trump paused mid-sentence, touched his face, and then took cover as Secret Service agents rushed to protect him. The immediate response from the agents was swift; they shouted commands to the attendees to get down.
6:11 PM: Trump was struck in the right ear by a bullet, but the extent of his injury was not immediately clear.
6:12 PM: Secret Service agents confirmed the shooter was down, quickly preparing to evacuate Trump from the stage.
Trump paused and held up his fist.
The shooting resulted in the death of Corey Comperatore, a 50-year-old former fire chief from Sarver, PA. Comperatore was reportedly shielding his wife and two daughters during the attack.
His sister expressed profound grief in a Facebook post, referring to him as a hero: “The hatred for one man took the life of the one man we loved the most.”
In addition to Comperatore, two other attendees, David Dutch (57) of New Kensington, PA, and James Copenhaver (74) of Moon Township, PA, were wounded in the shooting. Both victims were hospitalized but reported to be in stable condition as of Sunday.
Shooter’s Identity and Motive
The shooter has been identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, a recent graduate of Bethel Park High School. Described by former classmates as quiet yet friendly, Crooks had no known history of violence and had not been previously flagged by the FBI. His actions shocked residents in his hometown and sparked widespread speculation about his motives.
Law enforcement officials have launched an extensive investigation to uncover Crooks' background and motivations. The lack of digital footprints, such as social media activity or political writings, has added to the mystery surrounding his actions.
Authorities are examining how Crooks managed to access a rooftop armed with an AR-style rifle, positioned approximately 150 yards from the stage.
The FBI and local law enforcement are working together to piece together the timeline of Crooks' movements leading up to the attack. In PA, the minimum age to purchase handguns in Pennsylvania is 21, while people must be at least 18 to purchase rifles and shotguns.
Investigators are particularly concerned about the apparent failure of security measures that allowed him to get close to the former president. Pennsylvania has made modest improvements to its gun safety laws in recent years but can do much more to protect residents from gun violence.
In the state, no license is required to possess rifles, shotguns, or handguns in one’s home or place of business. However, certain individuals are prohibited from possessing firearms under state law.
Trump’s Condition and Future Plans
After the shooting, Trump was taken to Butler Memorial Hospital. He was released the same evening, with a spokesperson confirming that he was "fine."
Trump plans to attend the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, but it remains uncertain whether he will deliver a speech during the event.
In a statement on “Truth Social”, Trump described the harrowing experience, stating, “I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin.”
Political Reactions and Security Implications
In the wake of the shooting, Kim Cheatle, director of the U.S. Secret Service, expressed confidence in the security measures in place for the upcoming convention.
Cheatle stated, “The Secret Service will continuously adapt our operations as necessary to ensure the highest level of safety.” Following the incident, security measures at the convention are expected to be particularly stringent.
President Joe Biden addressed the nation in a primetime speech, calling for unity and an end to political violence.
He stated, “Violence has never been the answer,” urging Americans to engage in peaceful discourse.
This incident marks one of the most severe acts of political violence in recent U.S. history, raising alarms about the safety of public figures and the state of political discourse in the country.
Biden’s address highlighted the disturbing trend of violence in American politics, which has included attacks on politicians and their families, escalating tensions, and threats of violence surrounding elections.
Therefore, the attempted assassination of Donald Trump has sparked significant concern over political violence in America. As investigations continue and security measures are heightened, the nation watches closely as events unfold leading up to the Republican National Convention today at 2:00pm EST.