WASHINGTON — Former President Donald Trump was wounded by a gunshot to the ear during an assassination attempt but was “OK” Saturday night.
Authorities said a gunman, identified by the FBI as Thomas Matthew Crooks early Sunday morning, opened fire at a sweltering Pennsylvania rally before being shot and killed by a Secret Service agent. One spectator was killed and two others were “seriously injured,” the Secret Service said.
“I can’t believe something like this could happen in our country. At this point we don’t know who did it. The perpetrator is now deceased,” Trump said in a statement on Truth Social.
“I was hit by a bullet above my right ear,” Trump said on Truth Social, adding, “I immediately felt the bullet cut through my skin.”
more:Donald Trump flees rally after suspected assassination attempt leaves one dead, two seriously injured
President Joe Biden condemned the shooting, telling reporters, “The idea of political violence or any violence like this happening in America is unheard of and it’s inappropriate. Everyone, everyone must condemn this. Everyone.”
Here’s what we know about this attack:
Gunshots ring out, President Trump covered in blood, spokesman says he’s OK
Gunshots rang out as the former president was speaking at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, and the presumptive 2024 Republican nominee clutched his right ear before collapsing to the stage floor.
After a few minutes, Secret Service agents helped Trump to his feet, by which time his ears and face were covered in blood.
Trump pumped his fist in the air in defiance as he was hustled off the stage and whisked away from the rally.
“I can’t believe something like this could happen in our country. At this point we don’t know who did it. The perpetrator is now deceased,” Trump said in a statement on Truth Social.
more:Thomas Matthew Crooks identified as Trump shooter
“I was shot above my right ear. I knew immediately something was wrong as I heard the whoosh and the gunshot and felt the bullet break through my skin,” he wrote. “I was bleeding profusely and that’s when I realized what was happening. God Bless America!”
“President Trump thanks the police and emergency responders for their swift action in response to this heinous incident,” Trump spokesman Steven Chan said in a statement Saturday. “He is in good spirits and is being examined at a local medical facility.”
President Biden condemns ‘political violence’
President Joe Biden condemned the attack in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.
“We have no place in America for this kind of violence. This is sick. This is sick,” Biden told reporters.
“This is one of the reasons why we have to unite our country. We cannot allow this to happen. We cannot be like this. We cannot tolerate this.”
Biden said he had attempted to reach Trump by phone. “Right now, he seems OK,” the president said.
more:RNC security uncertainty after Trump shooting at Pennsylvania rally
Gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks shot dead by Secret Service agents
The gunman, Crooks, was on a rooftop about 150 yards from the rally and witnesses told BBC News he had been trying to alert local police to the presence of a shooter before opening fire.
The FBI said Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, fired multiple shots from an “elevated position” outside the Trump rally and that the Secret Service later “neutralized” the gunman.
The FBI had not released a motive as of early Sunday morning.
