In a shocking turn of events, former President Donald Trump narrowly escaped an assassination attempt at the Butler Farm Show fairgrounds in Butler, Pennsylvania. The incident occurred on Saturday evening, just moments after Trump’s arrival at the rally.
Around 6 p.m., as Trump prepared to take the stage, three shots rang out from a nearby rooftop. The shots were fired by 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, who had a clear line of sight to the stage. One bullet grazed Trump’s right ear, while tragically, an attendee in the line of fire lost their life.
The aftermath of the shooting was marked by a sense of dazed chaos. Rally-goers were seen hugging and weeping, while others stood in stunned silence. Surprisingly, there was little urgency to seek cover among the crowd. Some individuals directed their grief towards reporters on the press risers, blaming the media for what they believed to be the encouragement of dangerous rhetoric that led to the assassination attempt. One person even mentioned the possibility of a “civil war.”
Prior to the shooting, Trump had expressed his thoughts on retirement, stating that he did not necessarily need to be running for president. However, fate had brought him to rural Pennsylvania, just two days before the Republican National Convention, where he was expected to be nominated for president for the third consecutive time.
Following the incident, Trump was promptly taken to Butler Memorial Hospital for treatment. Reporters gathered outside the hospital, but were kept at a distance by rooftop snipers stationed across the street. Despite the initial uncertainty surrounding Trump’s condition, both his campaign and the Secret Service issued statements assuring the public that he was “fine” and “safe.”
Later that evening, a large helicopter was spotted leaving the hospital, confirming Trump’s departure from the area. The following day, the atmosphere at the Butler Farm Show fairgrounds appeared unexpectedly relaxed. Reporters observed trash and a few abandoned cars in the parking area, while white utility trucks were seen entering and exiting a gated section closer to the rally site.
The presence of numerous small airport-hangar-style buildings, similar to the one used by the assailant, raised concerns about the venue’s safety. The makeshift helipad, used to evacuate the injured during the shooting, remained intact, serving as a reminder of the tragic events that unfolded.
