WASHINGTON (AP) — More details are emerging after former President Donald Trump survived anapparent assassination attemptSaturday, days before he becomes the official Republican presidential nominee.
The Secret Service shot and killed the would-be assassin,identified as a 20-year-old from a Pittsburgh suburbnot far from the campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. One spectator was killed and two others were critically injured.
Here’s a look at what we know so far:
What happened at the Trump rally shooting?
The former president was showing off a chart of border crossing numbers when at least five shots were fired. Trump was seen holding his ear and got down on the ground. Agents quickly created a shield around him. When he finally stood, his face bloodied, he pumped his fist to cheering supporters. Trump and his motorcade left the scene and he was checked into a medical facility in Pennsylvania.
Law enforcement block a street in Bethel Park, Pa., that they say had a residence of Thomas Matthew Crooks, the suspected shooter of former President Donald Trump, Sunday, July 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel)
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump gestures while surrounded by U.S. Secret Service agents as he is helped off the stage at a campaign rally in Butler, Pa., Saturday, July 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is helped off the stage at a campaign event in Butler, Pa., on Saturday, July 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
The crowd reacts after shots were fired at republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump’s rally on July 13, 2024 in Butler, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
A campaign rally site for Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is empty and littered with debris Saturday, July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pa. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is surrounded by U.S. Secret Service agents at a campaign rally, Saturday, July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pa. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is rushed offstage during a rally on July 13, 2024 in Butler, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is covered by U.S. Secret Service agents at a campaign rally, Saturday, July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pa. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
People take cover as U.S. Secret Service agents surround Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump on stage at a campaign rally, Saturday, July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pa. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is surrounded by U.S. Secret Service agents at a campaign rally, Saturday, July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pa. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is surround by U.S. Secret Service agents at a campaign rally, Saturday, July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pa. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is surrounded by U.S. Secret Service agents at a campaign rally, Saturday, July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pa. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is surrounded by U.S. Secret Service agents at a campaign rally, Saturday, July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pa. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – JULY 13: People watch television news at a bar in Milwaukee displaying images from a campaign rally for former U.S. President Donald Trump where he was apparently injured on July 13, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Details are unclear, but Secret Service quickly ushered Trump away while speaking at the Pennsylvania rally. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is rushed offstage during a rally on July 13, 2024 in Butler, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is covered by U.S. Secret Service agents at a campaign rally, Saturday, July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pa. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is surrounded by U.S. Secret Service agents at a campaign rally, Saturday, July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pa. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is surrounded by U.S. Secret Service agents at a campaign rally, Saturday, July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pa. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is surrounded by U.S. Secret Service agents at a campaign rally, Saturday, July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pa. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is surrounded by U.S. Secret Service agents at a campaign rally, Saturday, July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pa. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is covered by U.S. Secret Service agents at a campaign rally, Saturday, July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pa. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is surrounded by U.S. Secret Service agents at a campaign rally, Saturday, July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pa. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is rushed offstage during a rally on July 13, 2024 in Butler, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
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He later flew to New Jersey, landing shortly after midnight at Newark Liberty International Airport.
Was Trump shot?
Trump released astatementon his Truth Social platform shortly after being whisked away from the rally, saying he was “shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear.”
Law enforcement officials have not confirmed Trump was hit with a bullet.
Why was Trump in Pennsylvania for a rally?
Trump was holding his final rally before the Republican National Convention that begins Monday in Milwaukee.
Pennsylvania is one of the most important states in the presidential race and Trump has had at least two rallies in the state this year so far.
What do we know about the Trump rally shooter?
Officials sayThomas Matthew Crooksof Bethel Park, Pennsylvania,opened fire from a rooftopoutside the rally venue in Butler before he was killed by Secret Service.
Bomb-making materials were found inside Crooks’ vehicle near the Trump rally and at his home, according to two officials who were not authorized to speak publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
Law enforcement recovered an AR-style rifle at the scene, according to a person familiar with the matter. The person was not authorized to discuss details of the investigation.
Was the shooter trying to assassinate Trump?
An FBI official said late Saturday that a motive had not yet been determined. Public court records in Pennsylvania show no past criminal cases against Crooks.
His father, Matthew Crooks,told CNN late Saturdaythat he was trying to figure out “what the hell is going on” but wouldn’t speak about his son until after he talked to law enforcement.
Meanwhile, the FBI is set to lead the investigation and said it’s working with the Secret Serviceand local and state law enforcement. Republican U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson also said the House will conduct a full investigation of the attack on Trump’s campaign rally.
What do we know about the other victims?
Gov. Josh Shapiro on Sunday confirmed that Corey Comperatore was the man killed at the Trump rally.
“Corey died a hero,” the governor said. “Corey dove on his family to protect them last night.”
No information has been released about the two others injured at the rally. Officials have not released their names.
Is the RNC convention still happening?
The convention is slated to continue despite the shooting and Trump advisers said he looks forward to attending.
Have there been other presidential assassination attempts?
Saturday’s attack was the most serious attempt to assassinate a president or presidential candidate sinceRonald Reagan was shot in 1981, but there have beenmultiple instances of political violencetargeting U.S. presidents, former presidents and major party presidential candidates.
What has been the reaction to the shooting?
Theoverall response from both political partieswas one of gratitude that Trump wasn’t hurt. President Joe Biden spoke in a press briefing roughly three hours after the shooting. He said “everybody must condemn” the suspected assassination attempt. He said he had been unable to reach Trump before his remarks but did speak to him several hours later, according to the White House.
“There’s no place in America for this type of violence,” the president said. “It’s sick. It’s sick.”
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