A man attempted to assassinate Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, leading to a chaotic and harrowing sequence of events on Saturday evening.
The shooter has been identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, CNN reports. Crooks was fatally shot by a Secret Service sniper at the scene. The FBI emphasized that the investigation into the assassination attempt remains active and ongoing, urging anyone with information to come forward.
Kevin Rojek, FBI Pittsburgh special agent in charge, stated that the motive behind the shooting remains unknown at this time.
Due to the gunman not having any identification on him, federal investigators utilized DNA analysis to confirm his identity biometrically. The shooting resulted in the death of one audience member at the rally, with two others currently in critical condition; all victims are men, although their identities have not yet been released.
Here's everything you about what went down at the deadly rally:
6.03PM: Donald Trump took the stage at his campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, greeted by the crowd and began his speech.
6.11PM: Multiple shots were fired towards the stage. Trump instinctively grabbed his ear and fell to the ground.
6.12PM: Secret Service agents swiftly reacted, shielding the 78-year-old Trump as chaos erupted. Despite the ordeal, Trump defiantly raised his fist to the crowd before being rushed off-stage.
6.14PM: Trump's motorcade departed from the rally venue.
6.42PM: The Secret Service confirmed an incident had occurred, assuring the public that Trump was safe.
7.03PM: Trump's campaign team announced that he was "fine" and undergoing medical evaluation at a local facility.
7.10PM: Butler County district attorney Richard Goldinger reported one fatality among the rally attendees and confirmed the death of the gunman.
7.28PM): Law enforcement officials informed that the shooting was being investigated as an assassination attempt.
7.55PM: US President Joe Biden issued a statement expressing concern and pledging support for Trump's safety.
8.42PM: Trump shared on his Truth Social platform that he had been shot in the upper part of his right ear, acknowledging the severity of the incident.
9.02PM: The US Secret Service detailed that multiple gunshots had been fired from outside the venue and that the gunman had been "neutralised."
11.53PM: Law enforcement held a news conference, officially declaring the incident as an assassination attempt.
1.37AM: The FBI identified the gunman as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, stating that the investigation was ongoing.
Here's how Trump responded to the events on his Truth Social platform: "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.
"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!"
