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FBI identifies gunman as Thomas Matthew Crooks in Trump assassination attempt ..

The man who tried to assassinate former President Donald J. Trump during a political rally was identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania.May be an image of 3 people, crowd and text

“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 July 13, in Butler, Pennsylvania,” released the FBI after they spoke to reporters in a late-evening news conference.

It remains unclear why Crooks fired shots at Trump as the assassination attempt is being investigated. The FBI didn’t disclose the shooter’s name when they spoke during the news conference.

“We have intelligence analysts as well, working from our field office in Pittsburgh, working feverishly and attempt to identify the individual who did this and any motives,” said Kevin P. Rojek, the special agent in charge of the Pittsburgh Field Office.”

Authorities explained that the shooter’s DNA and biometrics were being examined during the ongoing investigation. The rally site in Butler, Pennsylvania, is still an active crime scene.

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The FBI spoke to the media alongside officials with the Pennsylvania State Police. Colonel Chris Paris, Commissioner of Pennsylvania State Police said, “The thoughts and prayers of the Pennsylvania police are with the victims of this terrible act.”

The name of the rally attendees killed and injured were not provided. Authorities did say all three victims were adult males.

A first look at former President Donald Trump was shared by a member of his campaign team stepping off his plane in Newark, New Jersey, since being shot in an assassination attempt.

Trump who is “doing well” after he was the target of an assassination attempt at his rally will be in Milwaukee to accept the Republican presidential nomination, according to a combined statement released by Trump’s campaign and the Republican National Convention.

As was communicated earlier this evening, President Trump is doing well and grateful to law enforcement and first responders for their fast action. President Trump looks forward to joining you all in Milwaukee as we proceed with our convention to nominate him to serve as the 47th President of the United States. As our party’s nominee, President Trump will continue to share his vision to Make America Great Again.

While hospitalized, Trump extended his condolences to the families of the bystander killed and an injured spectator at his rally. Trump described the moment he was shot by a gunman, who was not an attendee at the rally, about two and a half hours after the shooting.

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!

Trump is “fine” after the reported assassination attempt at his Pennsylvania rally on Saturday. The gunman was killed by U.S. Secret Service officers. The agency also reported that two spectators were “critically injured” as multiple shots were fired at the stage from an “elevated position outside the rally venue.”

The president who is “fine” left the hospital in Butler, according to Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro who shared on X.

“Under the protection of U.S. Secret Service and with the assistance of the Pennsylvania State Police, former President Trump has now left the Butler area,” Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro shared on X, formerly known as Twitter.

“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,” stated Trump’s campaign spokesman, Steven Cheung.

PHOTOS | Photos show moments during, after shots break out at Trump rally

An incident occurred the evening of July 13 at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania. The Secret Service has implemented protective measures and the former President is safe. This is now an active Secret Service investigation and further information will be released when available, stated the Secret Service.

The former president was immediately escorted off the stage after the gun shots were fired at 6:15 p.m.

Trump was speaking for about 5 minutes before the alleged assassination attempt from reportedly a 20-year-old man from Pennsylvania. The shooting is being investigated as an attempted assassination of the presumptive Republican nominee, a law enforcement official told the Associated Press.

Trump had just said, “The worst president in the history of our country took over and look what happened to our country. Probably 20 million people… and that’s a little bit old that chart, that chart is couple of months old. If you really want to see something, take a look at..” while showing a chart of border crossing numbers before the gunfire erupted.

A live feed of the rally showed blood coming from the area above Trump’s right ear. Trump said, “Oh,” as he put his hand up to ear and as people in the stands appeared shocked. More gun fire was heard before he crouched down.

His security rushed to the stage and piled on him, shielding him with their bodies.

The group of officers whisked Trump away as he said, “let me get my shoes” three times.

While Trump was being escorted, he pumped his fist in the air and appeared to mouth “fight,” twice, to his supporters.

Supporters repeatedly chanted, “USA.”

The Republican was placed in an SUV by Secret Service officers before the vehicle drove away to a hospital.

Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump pumps his fist as he is helped into a vehicle at a campaign event in Butler, Pa., on Saturday, July 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump pumps his fist as he is helped into a vehicle at a campaign event in Butler, Pa., on Saturday, July 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

“Shooter is down, we’re clear” was heard from the podium microphone.

WTOV spoke with witnesses of the shooting that described what they saw and heard.

“We were standing on chairs watching President Trump speak and I saw him go down, but I was also hearing shots – it sounded like fireworks,” said a woman wearing a “Keep America Great” shirt. “By four or five of them [shots], I realized it was a shooting, so I got down and I told people around me to get down.”

The former first daughter, Ivanka Trump, posted a heartfelt message for her father that read in part, “I love you Dad, today and always.” She also thanked law enforcement for saving her father’s life.

Thank you for your love and prayers for my father and for the other victims of today’s senseless violence in Butler, Pennsylvania. I am grateful to the Secret Service and all the other law enforcement officers for their quick and decisive actions today. I continue to pray for our country.

Trump’s opponent, President Joe Biden, spoke from Delaware hours after he was briefed about the shooting.

“There’s no place for in America for this type of violence. It’s sick. It’s one reason why we have to unite this country. We can’t allow for this to be happening and be like this. We can not condone this,” said Biden.

Biden and Trump spoke over the phone, according to the White House who also said Biden was returning to the Capitol.

“Tonight, President Biden is returning to Washington, D.C. He will continue to receive regular updates from Homeland Security and law enforcement officials,” the post read.

Vice President Kamala Harris echoed Biden’s sentiment.

I have been briefed on the shooting at former President Trump’s event in Pennsylvania. Doug and I are relieved that he is not seriously injured. We are praying for him, his family, and all those who have been injured and impacted by this senseless shooting. We are grateful to the United States Secret Service, first responders, and local authorities for their immediate action. Violence such as this has no place in our nation. We must all condemn this abhorrent act and do our part to ensure that it does not lead to more violence, Harris posted on X.

The FBI who is the lead agency on the investigation, provided a statement . “FBI personal are on the scene in Butler, Pennsylvania, and the FBI will continue to work jointly with the U.S. Secret Service as the investigation moves forward.” Authorities are asking for anyone with information to call 1-800-CALL-FBI or visit www.fbi.gov.

The alleged weapon, an AR-style rifle, was reported at the scene, according to the Associated Press.

Jeff Simpson, a former law enforcement officer who witnessed the near assassination of Trump, told The National Desk he saw a “cloud of smoke” begin to rise from behind the podium before Trump fell to the ground.

Reactioncontinues to pour in from lawmakers. In a WEAR interview with Florida Congressman Rep. Matt Gaetz, the Republican repeated what lawmakers are saying, “there’s no place for this type of violence in our country and our politics.”

“This is deeply jarring. Donald Trump is not just the leader of a political movement that I’m a member of — he’s my personal friend and we are praying for him,” said Gaetz.”Someone died today at a Trump rally and my wife Ginger and I are praying for their soul and their family and there’s no place for this type of violence in our country and our politics. President Trump leads rallies that are inspirational and positive and patriotic and the fact that this type of bloodshed would be visited on our presidential politics is very very un-American and it must be rejected.”