An investigation is ongoing into the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump at a rally in Balter, Pennsylvania on Saturday, where one attendee was shot dead and two others seriously injured.
The gunman was shot and killed by a Secret Service agent. The FBI later identified the gunman as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, about 40 miles south of Butler. The motive is still unknown.
Details continue to emerge. Trump said the bullet penetrated the top of his right ear before Secret Service officers escorted him off the stage and into a limousine. He was reportedly uninjured.
A lone gunman fired shots at the rally’s stage from the roof of a building about 150 yards away, outside the rally’s security perimeter. Investigators recovered an AR-style rifle from the scene.
Here’s what we know so far: All times are Eastern Standard Time.
Where was Trump?
1pm: The rally’s venue, the Butler Farm Show, will open its doors to attendees. Trump is scheduled to speak at 5 p.m.
6:03 PM: Trump took to the stage and addressed the crowd as Lee Greenwood’s song “God Bless the USA” played.
6:05 PM: The song ends and Trump begins speaking.
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6:11 PM: As Trump was speaking, multiple shots were fired toward the stage. Video shows Trump falling to the ground behind the podium, clutching his right ear and looking at his bloody hands. People can be heard yelling, “Bullets, bullets, bullets.”
6:12 PM: A Secret Service agent jumps on top of Trump and escorts him off the stage to his car, and Trump gives a thumbs up as he leaves.
How many shots were fired?
6:14 PM: President Trump’s motorcade left the venue surrounded by police vehicles.
6:42 PM: The Secret Service released a statement confirming that an “incident” had occurred at the rally and that Trump was “safe,” followed shortly thereafter by the Trump campaign saying that Trump was “safe and receiving testing at a local medical facility.”
7:24 PM: The Butler County District Attorney said the suspected shooter was killed and that one rally attendee was also killed, the Associated Press reported.
Where was the shooter?
7:49 PM: Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said in a statement that agents neutralized the shooter and that he died. One person was killed and two spectators were seriously injured, the statement said.
8:13 PM: President Joe Biden said in a brief televised news conference that he was trying to call Trump as soon as possible to speak with him.
8:42 PM: Trump posted on Truth Social acknowledging that he had been shot.
- “I can’t believe something like this happened in our country. We still don’t know anything about the perpetrator. He is deceased. I was shot above my right ear. I knew right away something was wrong as I heard a whoosh, a gunshot and felt the bullet penetrate my skin. I was bleeding heavily and realized what was going on. God Bless America!”
9:33 PM: The FBI’s Pittsburgh field office announced it was leading the investigation into the shooting.
11:52 PM: Special Agent in Charge Kevin Rojek of the Pittsburgh FBI office said at a press conference that the shooting was an attempt to assassinate President Trump and that investigators were working to determine a motive.
Who shot Trump? What gun was used?
Sunday: Police have sealed off Thomas Matthew Crooks’ home as they investigate.
Crooks used a legally purchased “AR-style 556 rifle,” Kevin Rojek, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Pittsburgh field office, said in a conference call with reporters. Rojek was likely referring to a rifle that fires 5.56mm ammunition, although several firearms have “556” in their model names.
Rojek said the weapon was located next to Crooks at the scene.
Rojek said police found “suspicious devices” during a search of the suspects’ vehicles, which are being analyzed at the FBI crime lab in Quantico, Virginia.
Investigators also obtained a court order to search Crooks’ cell phone in hopes that the contents may provide clues about the shooting.
“The information we have at this time indicates the shooter acted alone and there are no public safety concerns at this time,” Rojek said. Another anonymous official on the call said the FBI believes the firearm was purchased by the shooter’s father. Officials said the family is cooperating with the investigation.
Further coverage:
Victims of the Trump rally shooting: Pennsylvania firefighter killed, two local residents injured
read moreTrump rally shooter Thomas Crooks likely acted alone, used AR-556 rifle: FBI
From caregiver to sniper: Thomas Crookes’ mysterious plot to kill Trump
Contributing authors: Natalie Neysa Alund and Aysha Bagchi, USA TODAY.
Source: USA Today Network reporting and research, Reuters
