During a rally for former President Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, a shooting occurred resulting in one fatality and two seriously injured individuals. A bullet narrowly missed Trump's right ear. American investigative agencies are treating this attack as an attempted assassination of Donald Trump. The attacker was shot dead on the spot by the U.S. Secret Service agents on duty.
The alleged attacker has been identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. An AR-15 semi-automatic rifle was recovered from the site, believed to be the weapon used to target Donald Trump and his rally. The assailant was fatally shot in the head by the U.S. Secret Service's return fire.
The gunman was positioned approximately 120 meters away from Trump, atop a manufacturing company's roof. The open space of the Butler Farm Show Grounds, where Trump's open-air campaign was held, provided the sniper with an unobstructed view to aim his shots.
The strategic placement behind and to the left of the stands filled with rally attendees gave the gunman a clear line of fire. According to American media, the assailant fired about 10 rounds, one of which grazed past Donald Trump's right ear. Blood was seen trickling down near his ear as U.S. Secret Service agents escorted him away from the site, with blood stains also visible on his face.
As the attack on Donald Trump occurred, Secret Service agents quickly surrounded him for protection. Trump then stood and waved to his supporters. He was escorted to his vehicle within the security cordon and subsequently taken to the hospital. After receiving initial treatment for his ear injury, Donald Trump was released from the hospital.
Source: aajtak
The building from which the shots were fired was adjacent to the Butler Farm Show Grounds, separated only by a barbed wire fence. The shooter's building was above the rally's viewing stands to the left.
Anthony Guglielmi, a U.S. Secret Service spokesman, confirmed one death and two serious injuries among the rally attendees. An investigation is ongoing, and the Secret Service has informed the FBI. This shocking incident happened just two days before the start of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, where Donald Trump will formally become the party's candidate. In a message to his supporters, Donald Trump said he would continue his presidential campaign without being deterred by this attack, stating, 'No matter what, I will not surrender!'
