FBI identifies suspect in Trump assassination attempt

Former President Donald Trump was whisked off the stage at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday night after a shooting that killed at least one rally attendee. The former president said he was “shot with a bullet” that pierced part of his ear.

The FBI early Sunday identified the suspected shooter as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pa. He was killed by the United States Secret Service.

“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,” the FBI said in a statement, asking for anyone with more information to come forward.

Law enforcement officials told Spectrum News on Sunday that explosive devices were found inside Crooks’ vehicle. Two law enforcement officials told The Associated Press there were also bomb-making materials found at his home.

Not much is known about the suspect, save for that he was registered as a Republican voter in Pennsylvania. He did, however, donate $15 to a progressive political action committee on the day of President Joe Biden’s inauguration on Jan. 20, 2021, according Federal Election Commission records.

Early on in his speech, Trump was showing off a chart of border crossing numbers when banging sounds started ringing through the crowd. Someone could be heard saying “get down, get down” and directing Trump to the ground. The ex-president could be seen reaching with his right hand toward his neck. There appeared to be blood on his face.

He quickly ducked behind the podium as agents from his protective detail rushed the stage and screams rang out from the crowd. The bangs continued as agents tended to him on stage. Trump could be heard on microphones asking about his shoes.

The crowd cheered as he got back up and pumped his fist. Police began vacating the fairgrounds shortly after Trump left the stage.

Officials said that one spectator was killed, and two others were critically injured.

According to a spokesperson for the Secret Service, a suspected shooter “fired multiple shots toward the stage from an elevated position outside of the rally venue.”

Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi said that agents “neutralized” the suspected shooter and took protective measures to secure scene and get the former president to safety.

“The incident is currently under investigation and the Secret Service has formally notified the Federal Bureau of Investigation,” Guglielmi added. The FBI said later Saturday that assumed the lead in the investigation into the incident.

A source told The Associated Press that an AR-style rifle was recovered by law enforcement at the scene of the shooting.

In a statement on his Truth Social platform on Saturday night, Trump thanked the Secret Service and law enforcement for their “rapid response” and expressed his condolences to the family of the person who was killed at the rally, as well as his thoughts for another person who was “badly injured.”

“It is incredible that such an act can take place in our Country,” Trump said. “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,” he added. “Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening. GOD BLESS AMERICA!”

Trump traveled back to his New Jersey golf club to spend the night. His campaign and the Republican National Committee said in a statement Saturday night that the Republican National Convention will continue as planned in Milwaukee next week.

“Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and prayers yesterday, as it was God alone who prevented the unthinkable from happening. We will FEAR NOT, but instead remain resilient in our Faith and Defiant in the face of Wickedness,” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Sunday morning. “Our love goes out to the other victims and their families. We pray for the recovery of those who were wounded, and hold in our hearts the memory of the citizen who was so horribly killed.”

He went on to write that it was “more important than ever” that Americans “stand United, and show our True Character,” ending his post by saying “I truly love our Country, and love you all, and look forward to speaking to our Great Nation this week from Wisconsin.”

In remarks to the nation from Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, President Joe Biden said he reached out to Trump, but the ex-president is “with his doctors” and said he’s hoping to speak to him soon. Biden expressed gratitude about Trump’s condition and condemned the attack, calling for unity.

“There’s no place in America for this kind of violence,” Biden said. “It’s sick. It’s sick. It’s one of the reasons we have to unite this country.”

“We cannot allow for this to be happening,” Biden said. “We cannot be like this. We cannot condone this.”

Biden hailed the Secret Service and local law enforcement for their efforts to protect Trump and secure the scene.

“The bottom line is: The Trump rally … he should’ve been able to conduct peacefully without any problem,” the president said. “But the idea, the idea, that there’s political violence or violence in America like this, it’s just unheard of. It’s just not appropriate. And everybody must condemn it. Everybody.”

“So far it appears that he’s doing well,” Biden said of Trump. The two spoke later Saturday night, per the White House. Biden also spoke with Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Butler, Pennsylvania, Mayor Bob Dandoy. The president left Delaware to return to Washington, and will receive an updated briefing from homeland security and law enforcement officials on Sunday morning.

When asked by reporters if he believes it’s an assassination attempt, Biden declined to weigh in: “I have an opinion, but I don’t have any facts.”

A Biden campaign official said that his reelection effort “is pausing all outbound communications and working to pull down our television ads as quickly as possible.”

In a statement earlier Saturday, Biden condemned the attack on his presumptive rival in November’s election, adding that he is “grateful to hear that he’s safe and doing well.”

“I’m praying for him and his family and for all those who were at the rally, as we await further information,” Biden said. “Jill and I are grateful to the Secret Service for getting him to safety. There’s no place for this kind of violence in America. We must unite as one nation to condemn it.”

Biden received multiple briefings on the incident, including one with Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and Homeland Security Advisor Liz Sherwood-Randall, the White House said. The president and Vice President Kamala Harris were expected to recieve another briefing from homeland security and law enforcemnet officials on Sunday morning.

Mayorkas said in a statement Saturday night that the Department of Homeland Security is “engaged with President Biden, former President Trump, and their campaigns, and are taking every possible measure to ensure their safety and security.”

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro was also briefed on the incident.

“Violence targeted at any political party or political leader is absolutely unacceptable,” Shapiro wrote on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. “It has no place in Pennsylvania or the United States.”

Amid prayers for Trump and condemnations for political violence from world leaders and politicians on both sides of the aisle, some of his congressional allies called for investigations. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said on NBC News’ “Today” on Sunday that Congress would launch a full investigation and that he spoke with Mayorkas on Saturday night and “asked him some pointed questions.”

“Political violence in all forms is unamerican and unacceptable,” House Oversight Chairman James Comer said in a statement. “There are many questions and Americans demand answers. I have already contacted the Secret Service for a briefing and am also calling on Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle to appear for a hearing. The Oversight Committee will send a formal invitation soon.”

One Republican lawmaker, Rep. Mike Collins of Georgia, even went as far as to say that Biden “sent the orders,” referencing comments reportedly made by the Democrat about putting Trump “in a bullseye” in terms of a campaign strategy. 

Ohio Sen. JD Vance, a possible Trump running mate contender, also condemned rhetoric from Biden and Democrats and directly blamed them for the incident.

“Today is not just some isolated incident. The central premise of the Biden campaign is that President Donald Trump is an authoritarian fascist who must be stopped at all costs,” Vance charged. “That rhetoric led directly to President Trump’s attempted assassination.”

This is a developing story. Check back later for updates.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.