BUTLER, Pa. (TND) — The guy who murdered former President Donald J. Trump at a political rally was known as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania.
“The FBI knows that Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, is involved in the assassination of former President Donald Trump on July 13 in Butler, Pennsylvania,” the FBI said after speaking to reporters at a conference of press. by the end of the afternoon.
READ MORE: What We Know About the Alleged Shooter of Trump’s Assassination Attempt
It is still unclear why Crooks shot Trump while the assassination attempt is being investigated. The FBI did not disclose how the gunman called his speech at the news conference.
Authorities said the gunman’s DNA and biometric knowledge were being tested during the ongoing investigation. The protest site in Butler, Pennsylvania, remains an active crime scene.
The FBI spoke to the media along with Pennsylvania State Police officials. Colonel Chris Paris, commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police, said, “The minds and prayers of the Pennsylvania State Police are with those who suffer this terrible act. »
The names of the protest participants who were killed and injured were not provided. Authorities said all three victims were adult men.
A first look at former President Donald Trump shared through a member of his crusade team as he steps off his plane in Newark, New Jersey, after shooting an assassination attempt.
Trump, who is “fine” after being the target of an assassination attempt at his rally, will be in Milwaukee to settle for the Republican presidential nomination, according to a joint statement released by the Trump campaign and the Republican National Convention.
While hospitalized, Trump offered his condolences to the families of the murdered spectator and an injured spectator at his rally. Trump described the moment he shot a gunman, who was not at the rally, about two and a half hours after the shooting.
Trump is “fine” after Saturday’s assassination attempt report at his rally in Pennsylvania. The shooter killed through agents of the United States Secret Service. The firm also reported that two spectators were “seriously injured” when several shots were fired at the level from an “elevated position outside the rally venue. “
The president who is “doing well” left Butler Hospital, according to Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, who shared on X.
“Under the cover of the United States Secret Service and with that of the Pennsylvania State Police, former President Trump left the Butler area,” Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro said on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their swift action in this heinous act. He is doing well and is lately being examined at a local medical center. More important points will follow,” Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung said.
PHOTOS | Photos show moments and after shots fired at Trump rally
The former president was immediately escorted off the level after the shots were fired at 6:15 p. m.
Trump spoke for about five minutes before the alleged murder of a 20-year-old man from Pennsylvania. The shooting is being investigated as a murder of the presumptive Republican candidate, a law enforcement official told The Associated Press.
Trump had just said, “The worst president in the history of our country has taken office and taken a look at what happened to our country. ” Probably 20 million people. . . and this table is a little old, this table is a few months old. If you need to see something, take a look at. . . ” as he points to a chart of border crossing numbers before gunfire breaks out.
A live stream of the rally showed blood coming from the domain over Trump’s right ear. Trump said, “Oh,” as he put his hand over his ear and the other people in the stands looked surprised. More shots were heard before he ducked. .
His security guards rushed to his level and piled on top of him, protecting him with their bodies.
The organization of officials took Trump away three times: “Let me get my shoes back. “
As Trump walked away, he raised his fist in the air and gave the impression of having said “fight” twice to his supporters.
Fans chanted “United States. “
The Republican was placed in a van by Secret Service agents before the vehicle was sent to a hospital.
“The shooter is on the ground, we are clear,” was heard over the microphone on the podium.
WTOV spoke with witnesses to the shooting, who described what they heard.
“We were sitting in chairs watching President Trump speak and I saw him walk by, but I also heard gunshots, they sounded like fireworks,” said a woman dressed in a blouse that read “Keep America Great. “”After 4 or five [shots], I learned it was a shot, so I went down and told the people around me to get off. “
Former first daughter Ivanka Trump posted a heartfelt message to her father that read in part: “I love you dad, and always. ” She also thanked the authorities for saving her father’s life.
Trump’s opponent, President Joe Biden, spoke from Delaware hours after learning of the shooting.
“There is no position for this type of violence in the United States. It’s not healthy. This is one of the reasons why we will have to unite this country. We can’t allow this to take a stand and continue, so we can’t tolerate it. “”Biden said.
Biden and Trump spoke by phone, according to the White House, which also said Biden would return to the Capitol.
“Tonight, President Biden returns to Washington, D. C. He will continue to receive normal updates from Homeland Security and law enforcement officials,” the message said.
Vice President Kamala Harris echoed Biden’s sentiment.
The FBI, which is the company responsible for the investigation, provided a statement. “FBI members are on site in Butler, Pennsylvania, and the FBI will continue to work in conjunction with the United States Secret Service as the investigation progresses. “They ask for information to call 1-800-CALL-FBI or make a stopover in www. fbi. gov.
The suspected weapon, an AR-style rifle, was reported at the scene, according to The Associated Press.
Jeff Simpson, a former law enforcement officer who witnessed Trump’s near-assassination, told the National Desk that he saw a “cloud of smoke” begin to rise from the podium before Trump fell to the ground.
The reactions of legislators continue to rain. In an interview with Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz, the Republican repeated what lawmakers say: “There is no position for this violence in our country and in our politics. “
“It’s deeply shocking. Donald Trump is not only the leader of a political movement of which I am a member: he is my personal friend and we pray for him,” Gaetz said. “Someone died today at a Trump rally and my wife Ginger and I are praying for their souls and their families and there is no place for this type of violence in our country and our politics. President Trump is leading inspiring, positive and “Criticism of our presidential policy is absolutely un-American and must be rejected. “