Trump assassination attempt live updates: shooter named as Thomas Matthew Crooks, arrests, injuries, reactions...
Trump rally shooting: live updates
The Republican National Convention is set to begin on Monday, July 15, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In light of the attempted assassination of the GOP presumptive nominee Donald Trump, Governor Tony Evers has requested that firearms be banned from the area within the “soft” perimeter surrounding the Fiserv Forum arena in Downtown Milwaukee.
While City Hall wanted to ban all guns, along with a long list of other items, which includes water guns and tennis balls, state law prohibited enacting firearm restrictions more stringent than those of the State of Wisconsin.
Trump will attend RNC
Trump had planned to change his schedule but has released a statement saying he will attend the Republican National Convention as planned.
“Based on yesterday’s terrible events, I was going to delay my trip to Wisconsin, and The Republican National Convention, by two days, but have just decided that I cannot allow a ‘shooter,’ or potential assassin, to force change to scheduling, or anything else. Therefore, I will be leaving for Milwaukee, as scheduled, at 3:30 P.M. TODAY. Thank you!”
The Republican National Convention will go on as planned despite the assassination attempt on Donald Trump.
Biden’s statement on Trump shooting
President Joe Biden has spoken about the shooting of former president Donald Trump. He said he had a “short but good conversation” with his predecessor and rival in the presidential election.
“We had a short but good conversation. Jill and I are keeping him and his prayer in our prayers. We also extend our deepest condolences to the family of the victim who was killed. He was a father, he was protecting his family from the bullets that were being fired,” Biden said.
The president also said that there was “no place in America for this kind of violence or any violence. [This] assassination attempt is contrary to everything we stand for as a nation, everything. It’s not who we are as a nation. It’s not America, and we cannot allow this to happen. Unity is the most elusive goal of all, but nothing is important than that.”
Israeli PM says of shooting at Trump rally: “this was an attack on America”
Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, says that he and his wife were “shocked” by the assassination attempt on the former US president at his rally on Saturday. “This wasn't just an attack on Donald Trump.” He said.
“This was an attack on America. It was an attack on democracy,” he added.
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PA Gov. Shapiro says attendee slain at Trump rally “died a hero”
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro addressed the press about the slain attendee, Corey Comperatore, at the tragic Trump rally on Saturday after speaking to his family. His wife asked that he share with the world that “Corey died a hero” diving onto his family to protect them when the shots rang out. “He was the very best of us,” Shapiro said.
The governor also told the press that the former fire chief “was an avid supporter of the former president” and that the fellow Pennsylvanian “was so excited to be there last night with him in the community."
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Melania Trump reacts to shooting
Donald Trump's wife, Melania, reacted to the shooting of her husband with a statement:
America, the fabric of our gentle nation is tattered, but our courage and common sense must ascend and bring us back together as one.
When I watched that violent bullet strike my husband, Donald, I realized my life, and Barron’s life, were on the brink of devastating change. I am grateful to the brave secret service agents and law enforcement officials who risked their own lives to protect my husband.
To the families of the innocent victims who are now suffering from this heinous act, I humbly offer my sincerest sympathy…
A monster who recognized my husband as an inhuman political machine attempted to ring out Donald’s passion – his laughter, ingenuity, love of music, and inspiration. The core facets of my husband’s life – his human side – were buried below the political machine…
We are all humans, and fundamentally, instinctively, we want to help one another. American politics are only one vehicle that can uplift our communities. Love, compassion, kindness and empathy are necessities.
And let us remember that when the time comes to look beyond the left and the right, beyond the red and the blue, we all come from families with the passion to fight for a better life together, while we are here, in this earthly realm.”
Elon Musk fully endorses Donald Trump after shooting and blames Secret Service for attack
The owner of X (formerly Twitter), Elon Musk, reacted to the shooting of Donald Trump with a number of posts on his own social media platform. In the aftermath of the incident, Musk said he “fully endorsed” the former president, who is running for election again.
He praised Trump in a number of other posts, and said: “Last time America had a candidate this tough was Theodore Roosevelt”
Musk went even further and blamed the Secret Service for allowing the attack to happen, saying “Extreme incompetence or it was deliberate. Either way, the SS [Secret Service] leadership must resign.”
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"An inch difference and the president would've been dead"
It probably goes without saying, but had former president Trump been struck a little to his left, we would be talking about an assassination rather than an assassination attempt. That's quite a thought, whatever your political belief is.
Dave McCormick, the Pennsylvania GOP Senate nominee, was at Trump's rally on Saturday and has given his take on the incident to ABC.
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Explosives found in shooter's car
The Wall Street Journal have reported that explosives have been found in the car of Thomas Matthew Crooks, who the FBI have identified as the shooter. Rather than use explosives, the 20-year-old fired a series of shots at the rally, killing one man, critically injuring two more and grazing the ear of former president Trump.
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Melania Trump statement on assassination attempt
Melania Trump, Donald Trump's wife since 2005, has just posted a lengthy statement on social media platform X addressing the assassination attempt on her husband.
""When I watched that violent bullet strike my husband, Donald, I realized my life, and (son) Barron's life, were on the brink of devastating change. I am grateful to the brave secret service agents and law enforcement officials who risked their lives to protect my husband.
"A monster who recognized my husband as an inhuman political machine attempted to ring out Donald's passion -- his laughter, ingenuity, love of music, and inspiration."
More in the images below.
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US Senator Graham "not surprised" by Trump shooting
United States Senator Lindsey Graham has told NBC's Meet the Press the assassination attempt didn't come as a surprise to him, given the political climate we live in.
"I wish I could say I was surprised, but I've been worried about this for a very, very long time. The rhetoric is way too hot, but I was just grateful that he made it."
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Details have emerged about the gun the shooter, named by the FBI as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, used.
A number of shots were fired by the youngster, who killed one man, critically injured two others and - quite unbelievably - grazed the ear of former president Donald Trump.
Volunteer gives account of Trump shooting from first row
If you were in the first row at rally and there was a shooting which hit the main protagonist, you'd think you'd know, right?
One volunteer said it wasn't immediately clear that's what had happened, thinking that somebody had been having a party with fireworks nearby.
"I have to get my shoes on," was apparently one of the first things Trump uttered after being hit, with his shoes having seemingly come off as the Secret Service pushed him down to the ground.
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20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks is the man who pulled the trigger, killing one man, critically injuring two others and grazing Donald Trump's ear.
What were the youngster's motives for doing so? Authorities say they are “tirelessly” pursuing them, although no single motive has as yet been identified.
Could they be linked to his political beliefs? Our Will Allen investigates.
When will Trump make his nomination acceptance speech at the RNC?
Although the Republican National Convention starts on Monday (July 15), Trump isn't expected to make an appearance until Thursday (July 18), when he will make his official nomination acceptance speech. His first public appearance since the assassination attempt will therefore take place only five days later.
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Trump's latest post on Truth Social reaffirms his intention to attend the Republican National Convention, which starts tomorrow (Monday, 15 July).
“President Trump looks forward to joining you all in Milwaukee as we proceed with our convention to nominate him to serve as the 47th President of the United States. As our party’s nominee, President Trump will continue to share his vision to Make America Great Again,” read a statement from RNC officials and Trump's campaign.
Donald Trump: "God alone prevented the unthinkable from happening
Following the assassination attempt, Trump posted on Truth Social, a social network he himself founded. He has just been active there once again, thanking God for "preventing the unthinkable" in a lengthy post, which reads as follows:
"Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and prayers yesterday, as it was God alone who prevented the unthinkable from happening. We will FEAR NOT, but instead remain resilient in our Faith and Defiant in the face of Wickedness. Our love goes out to the other victims and their families. We pray for the recovery of those who were wounded, and hold in our hearts the memory of the citizen who was so horribly killed. In this moment, it is more important than ever that we stand United, and show our True Character as Americans, remaining Strong and Determined, and not allowing Evil to Win. I truly love our Country, and love you all, andlook forward to speaking to our Great Nation this week from Wisconsin.
We must learn from security failures - Torres
Democratic congressman Ritchie Torres says the US authorities must learn from the security lapses that enabled the Trump assassination attempt to take place.
"The security failures surrounding the attempted assassination of a presidential candidate demand an investigation," Torres wrote on X.
"The federal government must constantly learn from security failures in order to avoid repeating them - especially when those failures have implications for the Nation."
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An iconic, if shocking, moment in world history that was caught on camera in quite incredible fashion by New York Times photographer Doug Mills.
Security agents "behind the curve"
A security expert has told NBC News that the Secret Service were guilty of a "fundamental security failure" on Saturday.
Steve Nottingham, a former SWAT team commander who has protected major world leaders, said security agents were "behind the curve" in not preventing Thomas Matthew Crooks from firing at Donald Trump from a nearby rooftop.
"They should have had those places covered ahead of time," Nottingham said.
The director of the US Secret Service, Kimberley Cheatle, has been called to testify before Congress later this month, after the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability launched a probe into Saturday's shooting.
Tasked with protecting presidential candidates - among other major figures - the Secret Service is facing criticism for allowing Thomas Matthew Crooks to take up a rooftop position so close to Trump's rally.
We've put together a short profile of Cheatle, the second woman to head up the agency.
Scholz condemns "despicable" shooting
The German chancellor, Olaf Scholz, has described the assassination attempt on Donald Trump as "despicable".
"I wish him a speedy recovery," Scholz said in a post on X. "My thoughts are also with all of those who were affected by the attack. Such acts of violence threaten democracy."
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Watch the moment that Thomas Matthew Crooks opened fire on Trump's campaign rally in Buter, Pennsyvlania (viewer discretion is advised).
In the wake of the attack on Trump, questions are being asked about the security measures in place to protect presidential candidates during campaign rallies.
Spanish PM reacts to Trump rally shooting
Spain’s prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, has condemned the assassination attempt on Donald Trump, declaring in a post on X: “Violence and hate have no place in a democracy.”
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In the wake of the assassination attempt against former president Donald Trump, we take a look at other candidates who have been targeted in the US.
Trump authorises GoFundMe page for victims
A GoFundMe page has been set up, with Donald Trump's authorisation, to raise money for the victims of the shooting.
"President Donald Trump has authorized this account as a place for donations to the supporters and families wounded or killed in today’s brutal and horrific assassination attempt," the page's description reads. "All donations will be directed to these proud Americans as they grieve and recover. May God bless and unite our nation."
The fundraiser was set up by Meredith O'Rourke, the national finance director of the Trump campaign.
At the time of writing, the GoFundMe page had raised just over $180,000.
Brendan McDermid / REUTERS
Secret Service agents bundle Trump into a vehicle in the immediate aftermath of the shooting.
Saturday's assassination attempt took place just a matter of days before Trump’s next public appearance, which is scheduled to take place as planned at the Republic National Convention in Milwaukee.
The former president’s aides revealed on Saturday that Trump was “fine” and “looks forward to joining you all in Milwaukee,” where he will be officially named the Republican nominee for the upcoming election in November.
Shooter made donation to Democratic-aligned group
While shooter Thomas Matthew Crooks was registered as a Republican, it is being reported that he made a donation in 2021 to a Democratic-aligned political action committee.
Citing Federal Election Commission records, CNN saysan individual listed as Thomas Crooks donated $15 to the Progressive Turnout Project.
Mills has also taken to X to post this photo of Trump, with blood covering the right-hand side of his face, being led away from the stage by Secret Service agents.
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Credited to the New York Times’ Doug Mills, a photograph has emerged apparently showing a bullet flying past Donald Trump’s head.
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Japan PM calls for resistance to violence against democracy
Japan's prime minister, Fumio Kishida, has posted on X: "We must stand firm against any form of violence that challenges democracy. I pray for former President Trump’s speedy recovery."
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Macron reacts to Trump rally shooting
The French president, Emmanuel Macron, has described the shooting as "a tragedy for our democracies".
"My thoughts are with President Donald Trump, the victim of an assassination attempt," Macron wrote on X. "I send him my wishes for a speedy recovery.
"A spectator has died, several are injured. It is a tragedy for our democracies. France shares the shock and indignation of the American people.
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"How did this guy get so lucky?"
Steve Moore also told CNN that it is clear there were major flaws in security services’ planning for the Trump rally in Butler, given that Crooks was somehow allowed to take up a position on a nearby roof.
“It is on the planning,” Moore said. “They could have planned for that roof - and maybe something happened in the planning or the execution […]. How did this guy get so lucky that he had decided to take the one place that was left unguarded?”
Investigators will "have book on" shooter
The CNN law enforcement contributor Steve Moore has told the media outlet that federal investigators will now put together an extensive, thorough profile of the shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks.
“They’re essentially going to have a book on him that his parents couldn’t write,” Moore told CNN. “They’re going to be able to find out No.1) whether anybody assisted him, and No. 2) what the motive was.”
Biden: "We cannot be liked this"
In a later speech, Biden branded the shooting as “sick”.
“We cannot allow for this to be happening,” the president said. “We cannot be like this. We cannot condone this.”
What has President Biden said about the shooting?
President Biden, who is set to go up against Donald Trump in November's presidential election, has said that there is "no place for this kind of violence in America", adding: "We must unite as one nation to condemn it."
Biden also said: "I’m grateful to hear that he’s safe and doing well. I’m praying for him and his family and for all those who were at the rally, as we await further information."
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Not much is yet known about Thomas Matthew Crooks, the man the FBI has identified as the shooter.
The 20-year-old is from Bethel Park, a town that has a population of around 35,000 and is located some 40 miles away from Butler.
Various US media outlets have quoted Pennsylvania state voting records as saying that Crooks was a registered Republican.
Trump lands in New Jersey
Having departed Butler, Trump has now arrived in New Jersey. He could be seen waving as he made his way down the steps from his plane at Newark Airport.
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No motive yet identified - FBI
The FBI is officially labelling the shooting an "assassination attempt" on Donald Trump.
Kevin Rojek, the special agent in charge of the FBI’s Pittsburgh field office, told a press conference that it remained unclear why the shooter had tried to kill Trump.
“We do not currently have an identified motive, although our investigators are working tirelessly to attempt to identify what that motive was,” Rojek said.
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Shots fired from "elevated position outside of rally venue"
In a statement, the US Secret Service said shots were fired from “an elevated position outside of the rally venue”, and that the shooter had been killed by agents.
“During former President Trump’s campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on the evening of July 13th at approximately 6:15 p.m., a suspected shooter fired multiple shots toward the stage from an elevated position outside of the rally venue,” chief of communications Anthony Guglielmi said.
“US Secret Service personnel neutralized the shooter, who is now deceased. US Secret Service quickly responded with protective measures and the former president is safe and being evaluated. One spectator was killed, two spectators were critically injured.
"The incident is currently under investigation and the Secret Service has formally notified the Federal Bureau of Investigation.”
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Shooter named as Thomas Matthew Crooks
The FBI has confirmed the identity of the shooter.
In a statement, the agency said: "The FBI has identified Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, as the subject involved in the assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump on 13 July, in Butler, Pennsylvania."
The FBI added: "This remains an active and ongoing investigation."
Trump "felt bullet ripping through skin"
In a statement on Truth Social, Trump confirmed that he had been hit in the ear.
"I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear," the former president said.
"I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin.
"Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening."
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What happened?
Early in Trump's address in Butler, a series of shots began to ring out. Secret Service agents rushed to protect the 78-year-old.
Once the shooting stopped, Trump got up off the stage and appeared to be bleeding on the right side of his face.
He raised a fist to the crowd and shouted, "fight, fight!" before the agents whisked him off the stage and to his motorcade.
Trump rally shooting: live updates
Hello and welcome to our coverage of the aftermath of the assassination attempt on former US president Donald Trump, as the Republican Party's presumptive 2024 presidential candidate spoke at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Trump was injured in the shooting, while one spectator at the rally was killed. Two others were injured.