In a shocking turn of events, a campaign rally for former President Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania turned deadly on Saturday when a lone gunman opened fire, leaving one person dead and two critically injured. The suspect, identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel, Pennsylvania, was shot and killed by a Secret Service countersniper.
According to law enforcement sources, the motive behind the shooting is still under investigation. The FBI is currently conducting DNA testing to confirm the identity of the suspect, as he was found without any identification. The early indication suggests that the shooter acted alone, but authorities are actively working to gather more information.
During the rally, Trump himself was targeted by the assailant. In a statement posted on Truth Social, Trump revealed that he was shot in the upper part of his right ear. He described hearing shots and feeling the bullet tearing through his skin, causing significant bleeding. Fortunately, the former president was promptly checked and confirmed to be unharmed.
The shooting, which occurred just before the Republican National Convention, is being treated as an assassination attempt. Live rounds were fired from outside the security perimeter, raising concerns about the security measures in place. The FBI, overseen by the Justice Department’s National Security Division, is leading the investigation, along with the U.S. attorney’s office in Pittsburgh.
The Secret Service released a statement confirming that the shooter fired multiple shots towards the stage from an elevated position outside the rally venue. Secret Service agents swiftly neutralized the threat, resulting in the death of the suspect. Snipers positioned on nearby roofs were also visible, highlighting the heightened security precautions taken during the event.
As the investigation unfolds, our thoughts go out to the family of the rallygoer who tragically lost their life. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers faced by public figures and the need for robust security measures in political events.
