President Joe Biden has called for an independent investigation into the attempted assassination of Donald Trump following a shooting at the former president’s rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday.
Early Sunday, the FBI identified the assailant as Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. Secret Service agents shot and killed him moments after the attack began.
Sources informed the Associated Press that a local law enforcement officer confronted the gunman just before he fired at Trump. Officials spoke to AP on anonymity due to the ongoing investigation.
Rallygoers noticed a man climbing to the roof of a nearby building shortly before the shooting began and alerted local police. An officer climbed to the roof, only to have Crooks point his rifle at him.
The officer retreated down the ladder, and Crooks quickly fired toward Trump. U.S. Secret Service counter-snipers responded, shooting Crooks. Trump was injured in the incident but is reportedly “fine.”
Trump shooting a ‘potential’ domestic terrorist act
On Sunday, a top FBI official announced the agency is investigating the shooting at Trump’s campaign rally as both an assassination attempt and a potential act of domestic terrorism.
Robert Wells, the executive assistant director of the FBI’s National Security Branch, explained, “At this point in the investigation, it appears he was a lone actor, but we still have more investigation to go.” He emphasized, “We are investigating this as an assassination attempt and a potential domestic terrorism act. Our counterterrorism and criminal divisions are working together to determine the motive.”
Wells also mentioned they have received over 2,600 tips regarding the attempted assassination. “Every single tip that we receive, we will be investigating and running it down as quickly as we possibly can,” he assured reporters.
FBI confirms the weapon was an AR-style rifle
Senior FBI officials confirmed to NewsNation’s Evan Lambert that Crooks showed no signs of mental health issues and that no threats toward the president or the event were found.
Officials also reported finding a legally obtained AR-style 556 rifle at the scene. Crooks’ father purchased it, but how the 20-year-old accessed it remains unknown. The shooter’s family is cooperating with law enforcement.
The scene is still being processed, with ongoing DNA, weapon, and fingerprint testing. Kevin Rojak, the FBI special agent in charge, revealed that a search of the shooter’s car uncovered a “suspicious device,” which bomb technicians inspected and neutralized. “This caused a significant delay in processing the scene for officer safety reasons,” he noted. The device has been sent to the Quantico lab for analysis.
Thomas Matthew Crooks, the suspected shooter, was a dietary aide at the Bethel Park Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. The organization expressed in a statement on Sunday that they were “shocked and saddened” by his involvement.
Trump rally shooting victims identified.
Besides Crooks, one person was killed, and two others were critically injured in the attack. Firefighter Corey Comperatore, 50, died while shielding his family from bullets, according to his sister Dawn. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro confirmed this at a Sunday news conference.
David Dutch, 57, and James Copenhaver, 74, were also injured amid the assassination attempt on Trump. Both men are listed in stable condition.
Trump’s campaign raised over $2 million through a GoFundMe campaign for the victims this weekend, doubling its $1 million goal by Sunday afternoon. The campaign received 27,900 donations, with the largest being $50,000.
Biden, Trump respond to assassination attempt
“There is no place in America for this kind of violence or any violence, for that matter. An assassination attempt is contrary to everything we stand for as a nation. It’s not who we are as a nation, it’s not America, and we cannot allow this to happen,” Biden stated on Sunday.
Following the shooting, Biden quickly condemned the attack and spoke with Trump. His campaign team is now dealing with the political implications of the attack on his election rival.
In response to the violence, both Biden and Trump called for unity and resilience. “Unity is the most elusive goal of all, but nothing is more important right now,” Biden said. “We’ll debate and disagree, but we must not lose sight of who we are as Americans.”
Biden mentioned he had a good conversation with Trump and ordered an independent security review at the Pennsylvania rally. “I’m sincerely grateful that he’s doing well and recovering,” Biden added.
On Sunday evening, Biden addressed the nation, emphasizing the need for unity to end political violence in the U.S. He spoke for about five minutes from the Oval Office, noting the opening of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee and his own campaign travels.
He urged for a cooling down of heated passions, highlighting the stakes of the election and the potential for further violence.
Meanwhile, Trump told The Washington Examiner that he had rewritten his RNC speech to focus on national unity, noting calls from people with various political views. “The speech I was going to give on Thursday was going to be a humdinger,” he said.
Secret Service gives RNC security update
Trump announced he will keep his plan to travel to Milwaukee on Sunday afternoon ahead of the Republican National Convention.
Initially, Trump stated on his Truth Social platform that he would delay his trip following Saturday’s assassination attempt but decided not to let a “shooter” or potential assassin force changes to his schedule.
The U.S. Secret Service confirmed there will be no changes to security plans for the convention, where Trump is set to be officially named the party’s presidential candidate.
Officials stated that they would not expand the inner perimeter for the RNC in Milwaukee or ban firearms in the outer perimeter. Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman explained at a press conference, “Our state law allows for the right to carry a firearm. We, as a city, cannot legislate out of that,” noting that the inner perimeter is among the largest ever at a presidential party convention.
Frequently Asked Question
What was President Biden’s response to the attempted assassination of Donald Trump?
President Biden condemned the attack, called for unity, and ordered an independent investigation. He emphasized that such violence is contrary to American values.
Who was identified as the shooter in the attempted assassination of Trump?
The shooter was identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. He was shot and killed by the Secret Service during the attack.
Were there any other casualties in the attack?
Yes, besides the shooter, firefighter Corey Comperatore was killed while protecting his family, and two others, David Dutch and James Copenhaver, were critically injured but are in stable condition.
What actions has the Trump campaign taken in response to the attack?
The Trump campaign raised over $2 million through a GoFundMe campaign for the victims and has continued with plans for the Republican National Convention, where Trump will be officially named the party’s presidential candidate.
What security measures are being implemented for the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee?
The U.S. Secret Service confirmed that, in accordance with state law, the security plans will remain the same, including expanding the inner perimeter and banning firearms in the outer perimeter.
What did the FBI find during their investigation of the shooter’s car?
The FBI found a suspicious device in the shooter’s car, which was inspected and neutralized by bomb technicians. The device has been sent to the Quantico lab for analysis.
How has Trump reacted to the assassination attempt and the subsequent events?
Trump has decided to maintain his schedule, including his trip to Milwaukee, and has rewritten his speech for the RNC to focus on national unity despite the assassination attempt.
Conclusion
The recent attempted assassination of Donald Trump has sent shockwaves through the nation, prompting swift responses from both President Biden and Trump himself. Biden’s condemnation of the violence and call for unity underscores the need for resilience and solidarity in these turbulent times. Meanwhile, the Trump campaign’s continued efforts and significant fundraising for the victims highlight the community’s support and determination to move forward.
As the Republican National Convention approaches, security remains a top priority, with the U.S. Secret Service maintaining robust measures to ensure safety. The FBI’s ongoing investigation and the cooperation of local law enforcement aim to uncover the full details of the attack.
In the face of adversity, both leaders urged the nation to unite, emphasizing that political differences should not lead to violence. This incident is a stark reminder of the importance of upholding the values that define America and working collectively toward a more united and peaceful future.
