BUTLER, PA.—The 45th President of the United States, Donald J Trump, was left bleeding from the right ear following multiple gunshots directed towards him as he spoke on stage to a crowd of tens of thousands at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on Saturday, July 13. Shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethal Park, Pennsylvania, is dead and an audience member was killed.
The attempt on President Trump’s life comes days before he is to officially receive the Republican Presidential nomination at the Republican National Convention this week in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. On March 12, with his Washington state victory, Trump clinched enough delegates to be the Republican Party’s official presumptive nominee.
— Team Trump (Text TRUMP to 88022) (@TeamTrump) July 14, 2024
“President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act. He is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility. More details will follow,” Steven Cheung, Trump spokesperson, released in a statement on the attempted assassination attempt of President Donald J Trump.
Below is a statement from President Donald J Trump released on Truth Social after an attempted assassination on his life:
“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!”
Up to eight shots rang out at approximately 10 minutes into President Trump’s speech, at 6:15 p.m. EST. He was sharing a chart with the crowd on a display screen when a shot was heard. President Trump then grabbed his right ear with blood on his hand.
🚨#Breakingnews Attempted assassination of 45th President of the US, Donald J Trump at Butler, PA rally. Multiple gunshots…Trump was hit, bleeding from right ear. Secret Service escorts an injured Trump from stage.
Source: @RSBNetwork pic.twitter.com/W7boVaB60k
— Lynnwood Times (@LynnwoodTimes) July 13, 2024
Then multiple shots were heard, Trump and the crowd behind him on the riser ducked to the ground for safety. The U.S. Secret Service rushed to the podium and escorted an injured President Trump from the stage.
🚨🇺🇸 ER DOCTOR TRIED TO SAVE TRUMP RALLY ATTENDEE'S LIFE
Emergency Department Doctor:
“Somebody over there was screaming, 'He's been shot. He's been shot.' So I made my way over. I saw him and said, 'I'm an emergency department physician. Let me help you.'
He had a headshot… https://t.co/oY5GGokfgF pic.twitter.com/F48mE0ayB0
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) July 13, 2024
Three audience members were shot, leaving one dead and two in serious condition. The shooter has been neutralized by the U.S. Secret Service. The Director of the U.S. Secret Service, Kimberly Cheatle, reports to Alejandro Mayorkas, Secretary of Homeland Security. House Republicans are currently attempting articles of impeachment against Secretary of Homeland Security Mayorkas over his handling of border security and illegal immigration.
U.S. Secret Service Director Cheatle has repeatedly turned down requests for a larger security footprint around President Trump.
Is this the shooter? pic.twitter.com/GpUgdK6H1a
— Gavin Mario Wax 🇺🇸 🗽🍊 (@GavinWax) July 13, 2024
The last attempt of an assassination of a U.S. President was Ronald Regan in on March 30, 1981, as he was leaving the Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C.
BREAKING – SHOCKING – MASSIVE FAILURE: An eyewitness describes the assassination attempt on Trump. WATCH pic.twitter.com/UgtJILW2p3
— Simon Ateba (@simonateba) July 14, 2024
“There’s no place in America for this kind of violence – it’s sick, it’s sick,” President Joe Biden said at a presser on the attempted assassination of President Trump. “That’s one of the reasons we have to unite this country – we cannot allow for this to be happening, we cannot be like this, we cannot condone this.”
I have been briefed on the shooting at Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania.
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.
Jill and I are grateful to the Secret…
— President Biden (@POTUS) July 13, 2024
Secret Service Spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi released the following statement regarding a security incident at the July 13 Trump rally in Pennsylvania.
Follow @SecretSvcSpox for additional updates as they are released. https://t.co/EuaCgRFMM4
— U.S. Secret Service (@SecretService) July 13, 2024
The FBI announced on X that it has assumed the lead role in the shooting incident that left two dead, including the shooter, two in critical condition and President Trump with a head wound, to his right ear.
Trump landing in Newark, New Jersey the night of July 13 / morning of July 14, just hours after an assassination attempt against him in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Trump getting off Trump Force One 6 hours later supposedly in Newark. https://t.co/jyD3F2HlvX
— Lynnwood Times (@LynnwoodTimes) July 14, 2024
Criticism of the Secret Service
Scoop from a trained sniper:
“That whole thing was a fucking failure.
The Secret Service got there slow, the swat team got there slow. And Why the fuck did they keep him on the stage?
He should’ve been off of there in two seconds!! yet they stand him up !!! For what ??? to…
— DC_Draino (@DC_Draino) July 14, 2024
Extreme incompetence or it was deliberate. Either way, the SS leadership must resign. https://t.co/0vYGrj6yuH
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 14, 2024
This is Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle
Her prior job was working at Pepsi
No I’m not kidding
Investigate this disgrace pic.twitter.com/aPcwVCxDGb
— DC_Draino (@DC_Draino) July 14, 2024
What are prominent figures saying?
Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers released the following statement regarding the assassination attempt of Trump that also resulted in the death of a rallygoer: “I condemn political violence in all its forms. I offer my condolence to the innocent person killed, and our prayers are with everyone injured. As a democracy, America requires a peaceful political process. Any attempts to interrupt the democratic process through violence is contemptable. We may have profound political differences, but we must always keep our opposition focused on the ballot box. I will continue to respect all those who work through peaceful means to advance their interests. I hope this offers an opportunity for all Americans to keep their focus on what is best for our country.”
Kelly and I are praying for President Trump and all the attendees of the campaign rally today in Pennsylvania, and we send our gratitude to the law enforcement who responded at the scene.
I have been briefed by law enforcement and am continuing to monitor the developments. This…
— Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) July 13, 2024
As one whose family has been the victim of political violence, I know firsthand that political violence of any kind has no place in our society. I thank God that former President Trump is safe.
As we learn more details about this horrifying incident, let us pray that all those…
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) July 13, 2024
Pray for President Trump, his family, and the Secret Service and law enforcement protecting him and all of us.
— Mike Pompeo (@mikepompeo) July 13, 2024
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.
— Robert F. Kennedy Jr (@RobertKennedyJr) July 13, 2024
Violence has no place in politics, ever. I hope whoever perpetrated today’s attack is held to account. Our thoughts are with all who attended the former president’s event, and I join the many others who are expressing gratitude for the Secret Service and first responders.
— Governor Jay Inslee (@GovInslee) July 13, 2024
I condemn this act of violence against former President Donald Trump in the strongest possible terms. As a nation we must come together.
— Bob Ferguson (@BobFergusonAG) July 13, 2024
Developing story…
Editor’s Note: [10:17 p.m., July 13, 2024] Article updated with latest information.
Author: Mario Lotmore
