What we know about the assassination attempt against Donald Trump during a rally

The former US president was injured in the ear. The shooter and a member of the public died.

“Tonight we witnessed what we call an assassination attempt on our former President Donald Trump.”FBI official Kevin Rojek said. The former Republican president and presidential candidate was shot in the right ear and evacuated during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, July 13.

The shooter, identified by the FBI, and a member of the public are dead. Here’s what we know about the attack.

FBI Identifies Shooter

The assassin, who died after shooting, was identified by the FBI as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, from Bethel Park, a Pennsylvania town about 37 miles from where the rally was held. He was registered as a Republican voter, according to voter registration records (PDF). Authorities said they had not yet identified his motive. Early Sunday morning, law enforcement had closed all roads leading to Thomas Matthew Crooks’ home.

Several shots from outside the meeting

Donald Trump had just begun his speech with a diatribe on immigration when several shots rang out. The Republican candidate was immediately thrown to the ground by agents of the Secret Service, responsible for protecting presidents and ex-presidents. The US Secret Service said in a statement that the shooter “fired several shots towards the scene from an elevated position [située] outside the gathering” before being “neutralized” by the agents.

Multiple witnesses said they saw the shooter before the shooting and alerted Butler police. She said she “responded to a number of suspicious activity reports”without giving further details.

Donald Trump injured in the ear

“I was hit by a bullet that pierced the top of my right ear”Donald Trump said on his Truth Social platform. “I immediately knew something was wrong because I heard a whistle, gunshots, and immediately [j’ai] felt the bullet go through my skin”adding that“It is unbelievable that such an act could happen in our country“.

Shouts of terror erupted from the audience. After a few moments, Donald Trump stood up, his hair disheveled and without his red cap, surrounded by agents. He was then escorted from the stage to his car, raising his fist in the air several times in defiance, to the cheers of his supporters.

Former US President Donald Trump was seen getting off his plane unassisted hours after escaping an assassination attempt, according to a video posted on social media by his deputy communications director.

One spectator killed and two injured

A spectator died in addition to the shooter, and two other people were seriously injured, according to police. “I would like to extend my condolences to the family of the person killed at the rally, as well as to the family of another person who was seriously injured.”Donald Trump wrote on the social network Truh Social.

Joe Biden and world leaders outraged

Democratic President Joe Biden, who faces Donald Trump in November’s election, said he was relieved to hear that the Republican was apparently in good health, and spoke to him Saturday night. “Everyone must condemn” such violence, he said in a televised address. President Joe Biden, who returned to Washington from Delaware, spoke with Donald Trump, according to the White House.

The attack sent shockwaves across the globe, with leaders from Britain, Israel, Japan and many other countries expressing outrage. Emmanuel Macron spoke “a tragedy for our democracies”The French head of state declared on X on Sunday that he would address his concerns to Donald Trump. “wishes for a speedy recovery”. “France shares the shock and indignation of the American people”added Emmanuel Macron.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also expressed his “consternation” and wished a “speedy recovery” to Donald Trump. “Such violence has no justification and no place in this world. Violence must never prevail.”he added.

Russia denounces US support for Ukraine in response

After the attack on Donald Trump, Moscow encouraged the United States to do “the inventory” of their “policies of incitement to hatred against political opponents, countries and peoples”using the assassination attempt to denounce American support for kyiv.

Addressing “those who vote in the United States for the supply of weapons to [Volodymyr] Zelensky”Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova denounced US support for Ukraine, which she accuses of fomenting “attacks against the Russian president”. “Perhaps this money would be better spent on funding the American police and other services that are supposed to ensure law and order in the United States?”she asked.