'ASSASSIN' UNMASKED Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, named as Trump rally shooter who killed supporter as he tried to assassinate ex-president
THE gunman who attempted to assassinate Donald Trump at a Pennsylvania rally on Saturday night and was quickly shot dead has been named.
Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, was "neutralised" by Secret Service snipers shortly after opening fire at the open-air event in Butler.
The crowded rally was held at the Butler Farm Show grounds, where Crooks perched nearby on a roof with perfect visuals of Trump as he addressed supporters from the stage.
Shocking video captured the moment some five gunshots rang out as Trump grabbed the side of his face before collapsing to the ground.
Blood was smeared across his ear as he rose from behind the podium and waved his fist in solidarity with the crowd.
A hoard of Secret Service agents rapidly closed in on the former president and whisked him away to safety as he mouthed "Fight, Fight, Fight!"
One audience member was killed in the attack and two critically injured. The victims have not yet been identified.
Shooter Crooks, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, is said to have positioned himself on top of a manufacturing plant roughly 200 feet outside the cordoned-off rally zone.
He was later shot dead by snipers who returned the gunfire from the roof of another building nearby.
Officers said they do not yet have a motive for the shooting but have confirmed it as an assassination attempt on the former President.The FBI said Crooks did not have any ID on him at the time, with officials identifying him through his DNA.
An AR-15 was reportedly recovered near his body.
His dad, Matthew Crooks, told CNN he is trying to figure out “what the hell is going on” and plans to “wait until I talk to law enforcement” before speaking publicly about his son.
A spokesperson for the former president released a statement in the early hours: "President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act.
"He is fine and being checked out at a local medical facility. More details will follow."
Bethel Park is located about 40 miles south of where Saturday's rally was held in Butler.
The airspace over the area has since been shut down "immediately" for security reasons.
Trump released a second statement to his social media platform, Truth Social, on Sunday morning.
He again thanked people for their thoughts and prayers and said "God alone" prevented "the unthinkable" from happening.
He wrote: "We will FEAR NOT, but instead remain resilient in our Faith and Defiant in the face of Wickedness."
What we know so far:
- A shooter opened fire at a Donald Trump rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday evening, killing one, critically injuring two others, and wounding the former President
- Dramatic footage showed the moment Trump dived behind his podium as Secret Service agents closed in
- The FBI confirmed it was an assassination attempt, but said there was no prior threat
- Trump broke his silence with a statement describing the shooting - after a bullet struck his ear and left blood pouring down the side of his face
- A hot microphone captured the moment Secret Service agents screamed "Get down!"
- The shooter - identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks - was shot dead by Secret Service agents at the scene
- A witness claims he warned police about a man with a rifle on a nearby roof minutes before the attack
- President Joe Biden dubbed the shooting "sick," and has suspended campaigning for the next two days
Blood smeared across the side of Trump's face after the shooting Snipers poised on a roof at the rally Trump pounds the air with a fist as he's bundled into a car and whisked awayCredit: Getty Supporters dive for cover at the rallyCredit: AFP President Joe Biden dubbed the attack 'sick' A bloodied doctor tells media about his attempts to help someone in the crowdCredit: Pixel8000 The FBI confirmed in a statement during the early hours of Sunday: "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.
"This remains an active and ongoing investigation."
Anthony Guglielmi, chief of comms for the bureau, confirmed that Crooks was "neutralised" by Secret Service agents on the scene
Voter records in Pennsylvania, according to NBC, list a Thomas Matthew Crooks with the same birthday and address as a registered Republican.
Possible photos of Crooks on a roof at the rally show him wearing a merchandise T-shirt linked to a YouTube channel devoted to guns.
Verified by NBC, the pictures show him bleeding and surrounded by security agents.
Lettering on the shirt appears to match a top still for sale on the website of firearms YouTube channel Demolition Ranch.
Chaos erupted shortly after 6pm on Saturday when Trump took to the stage to address Republican voters.
Minutes later, bullets could be heard ringing out, with Trump seen hitting the deck as security personnel swarmed.
Astounding images from the scene showed agents covering Trump as he hit the deck, before rushing him into a car and whisking him away.
People screamed "Get down!" and supporters could be seen cowering in the stands.
Some stood up and cheered alongside Trump as he pumped his fist into the air and mouthed "Fight, Fight, Fight!" moments after the shooting.
Other pictures showed Secret Service snipers on a roof nearby - poised to fire back after shots rang out.
The last time something similarly shocking happened in the US was when President Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981 in Washington DC.
Heading for his limousine, the President was struck by shooter John Hinckley Junior and injured in the armpit.
He was seriously injured but stabilised in hospital.
Trump, expected to be selected as the Republican nominee for the 2024 election next week, later said he felt a bullet rip through his skin as it pierced the upper part of his right ear.
A shocked eyewitness described the moment he saw the attempted assassination on Trump - claiming he'd told Secret Service agents about someone with a rifle on a roof nearby.
Greg told the BBC he warned cops "three or four minutes" before the bullets rang out, which narrowly missed Trump's head and killed someone in the audience.
Another witness at the scene, an emergency room doctor in attendance at the rally, told how he performed CPR on a member of the crowd.
Trump thanked law enforcement for their swift response to the gunfire, offering his condolences to the families of those affected.
"I want to thank The United States Secret Service, and all of Law Enforcement for their rapid response on the shooting that just took place in Butler, Pennsylvania," Trump wrote on Truth Social hours after the shooting.
"Most importantly, I want to extend my condolences to the family of the person at the Rally who was killed, and also to the family of another person that was badly injured.
"It is incredible that such an act can take place in our Country. Nothing is known at this time about the shooter, who is now dead.
"I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear. 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. GOD BLESS AMERICA!"
Both Republicans and Democrats have condemned the brutal attack, with President Joe Biden calling the heinous crime "sick."
"There is no place in America for this type of violence," the president said.
He added that he was relieved Donald Trump is "doing well."
Donald Trump Rally Shooting Timeline
Donald Trump was shot at his Pennsylvania rally on July 13.
1pm: Doors open at the Butler Farm Show grounds where Trump was expected to speak at 5pm.
4:11pm: Sean Parnell gave the opening speech.
4:35pm: David McCormick rallied the crowd.
5:30pm: Crowds were still waiting for Trump.
6:03pm: Trump takes the stage.
6:11pm: Gunshots were fired as Trump delivered remarks.
6:12pm: Trump was ushered off stage by Secret Service agents.
6:42pm: Secret Service confirmed Trump is safe.
7:24pm: The shooter and one rally attendee are confirmed dead by law enforcement officials.
8:42pm: Trump confirms he was shot in the ear, sharing a statement on Truth Social.
8:49pm: The Secret Service confirms the shooter and a rally attendee are dead. Two others remain critically injured.
Donald Trump was pictured getting off his plane early Sunday at Newark Airport hours after being treated for the shootingCredit: X Police surround the body of the shooter on a roof nearby to where Donald Trump was addressing supportersCredit: Pixel8000 Donald Trump Rally Shooting Reaction
Dozens of politicians and celebrities have offered their support for the former president after he was reportedly grazed by gunfire at his Pennsylvania rally on July 13.
President Biden held a brief press conference just after 8 pm ET. He said he was hoping to speak to Trump.
"Look, there's no place in America for this kind of violence. It's sick," the president continued. "We cannot condone this."
Vice President Harris said she was "relieved" Trump was not seriously injured.
"Violence such as this has no place in our nation," she continued.
Former President Obama said on X: "There is absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy.
"Although we don’t yet know exactly what happened, we should all be relieved that former President Trump wasn’t seriously hurt, and use this moment to recommit ourselves to civility and respect in our politics. Michelle and I are wishing him a quick recovery.
Donald Trump, Jr shared a photo of his father raising a fist moments after he was shot with the caption: "He'll never stop fighting to Save America."
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr said: "Now is the time for every American who loves our country to step back from the division, renounce all violence, and unite in prayer for President Trump and his family."
Tesla CEO Elon Musk said: "I fully endorse President Trump and hope for his rapid recovery."
Britain's new Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer took to X to say: "I am appalled by the shocking scenes at President Trump's rally and we send him and his family our best wishes.
"Political violence in any form has no place in our societies and my thoughts are with all the victims of this attack."
Reform leader and newly elected MP Nigel Farage said it is a "miracle" that his friend is still alive.
Farage told Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips: "I was very upset when I heard the news late last night, Donald Trump survived by a miracle, frankly.
"But one innocent man is dead, two are fighting for their lives in hospital. It's horrible, and yet somehow not surprising."
Former PM Boris Johnson also gave his condolences to Trump and his family as he said it shows "the tragic fragility of democracy in the face of violence and unreason".
Ukrainian PM Volodymyr Zelensky, who has been a target for assassins in the past, also said he was "appalled" by the events in the US.
"Such violence has no justification and no place anywhere in the world. Never should violence prevail," he said on X.
"I extend my wishes for strength to everyone who is horrified by this event. I wish America emerges stronger from this."
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