On Saturday, July 13, 2024, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump was shot at his campaign rally. The rally in which Trump was attacked took place in Butler, Pennsylvania, and is now under active investigation.
Trump’s Attempted Assassination
Around 18:00 hours on Saturday, July 13, 2024, the sound of several continuous gunshots was heard. Trump was in the middle of his speech when he turned right while his hands were on the podium. At this point, a bullet ricocheted off Trump, injuring the upper part of his right ear, a statement Trump confirmed in his social media post.
After Trump was shot, he fell to the floor, grabbing his ear, following Secret Service instructions. Subsequently, the agents rush to the stage to protect the president by forming a shield around him. However, while the agents were trying to safeguard Trump, subsequent gunshots were heard from rally participants.
The Aftermath of the Shooting
45 seconds after Trump was shot, a Secret Service agent climbed atop the podium to announce that the shooter had been taken out. Consequently, two Secret Service agents asked again whether the threat had indeed been resolved.
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Another agent confirmed this before Trump was lifted to his feet and was being moved into an SUV. However, before Trump was taken off the rally stage, he turned his hands to a fist before saying the word fight three times.
The crowd chanted “U.S.A.” as Trump was escorted off the podium by the agents. A rally attendant was killed and two others were severely injured, according to the Secret Service’s information. The Federal Bureau of Investigation confirmed that all three victims were men.
Trump’s assassination attempt at his rally has raised concerns about Trump’s security and how it was allowed to happen. Consequently, several Congress members have begun calling for the Secret Service to be investigated over the rally incident.
The incident comes just two days before the Republican National Convention accepted Trump as its presidential nominee for the 2024 presidential election. The convention is scheduled to be held between July 15 and 19, 2024.
President Joe Biden Reacts to Trump’s Assassination Attempt
Reacting to the incident, Democrat nominee and incumbent President Joe Biden has spoken out against the shooting. Biden was in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware at the time of the incident, which he refers to as “sick” occurred. According to reports released by the White House, Biden had called and spoken to Trump.
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Who is the Trump Rally Shooter?
According to the FBI, the agency has identified the suspect in Trump’s assassination attempt as Thomas Matthew Crooks. Crooks is a 20-year-old resident of Bethel Park in Pennsylvania, an hour away from the location of the rally. Crooks was shot and killed by agents of the Secret Service after his alleged attack led to the injuries of three people and the death of another.
According to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Crooks is a graduate of Bethel Park High School, receiving his diploma in 2022. Crooks was a recipient of the Star Award from the National Math and Science Initiative, for which he received a $500 cash prize.
A video, now circulating online, shows Crooks during his 2022 high school graduation. Crooks was spotted wearing a glass and the traditional black graduation gown and had a picture taken with a school official.
According to information from Pennsylvania voter records, Crooks registered as a Republican for the November 2024 election. As Crooks turned 18 in 2022, this presidential election would be the first one that he would be legally allowed to participate in. However, despite his political affiliation, Crooks made a $15 donation to ActBlue in 2021, when he was 17.
ActBlue is a political action organization that helps Democratic and left-leaning candidates gather campaign funding. The donation project was focused on the Progressive Turnout Project, which rallies Democrats to vote.
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When Is the Next Trump Rally?
Subsequently, after the incident, Trump met with his senior advisers at Bedminster to prepare for the Republican convention. The convention is scheduled to begin on Monday, July 15, 2024, in Milwaukee.
Although Trump is expected to stick with his original schedule, campaign sources have warned that things are still subject to change. According to the original schedule, Trump is expected to make a public appearance on Tuesday, July 16, 2024.
The assassination attempt raised the stakes for Trump’s convention speech during the 2024 election. Trump is expected to give a speech on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, and reveal his running mate during the Republican convention.
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