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  • FACT FOCUS: A look at false claims around the assassination attempt on former President Trump

    FACT FOCUS: A look at false claims around the assassination attempt on former President Trump

    The assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, who is running for reelection, is fueling a range of false claims and conspiracy theories as authorities seek information about the 20-year-old shooter’s background and motive, how he obtained the AR-style rifle he fired at Trump and security at the venue that failed to stop the shooting.

    Here’s a look at the facts.

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    Photo is said to show Trump’s ear with no damage on Monday after shooting. It’s from 2022

    CLAIM: A photo taken on Monday shows former President Donald Trump with no damage to his right ear, contrary to reports that it was injured in an attempted assassination on Saturday.

    THE FACTS: The photo was taken on Sept. 17, 2022, at a rally in Youngstown, Ohio, for then-U.S. Senate candidate JD Vance. Trump appeared at the Republican National Convention Monday night with a large, white bandage on his right ear. Myriad photos show his ear bloodied after a shooter opened fire at his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, over the weekend.

    Social media users are sharing the old photo as new, with some falsely presenting it as evidence that Trump was not injured by the gunfire.

    “The top part of his ear grew back,” reads one X post from Monday night that had received approximately 40,000 likes and 13,200 shares as of Tuesday. “(Yes. This is from today)”

    Another X post from Monday night states: “This image of Trump was taken today. There is absolutely nothing wrong with his ear, and it has zero damage, FROM A BULLET. Everything about Trump is a con or a grift.” It received approximately 26,000 likes and 8,600 shares.

    But the photo was taken nearly two years ago.

    It is from a Sept. 17, 2022, rally in Youngstown, Ohio, for Vance during his Senate campaign. The image appeared in multiple articles published around that time. Trump chose Vance, now a U.S. senator, as his running mate on Monday.

    The version spreading online is cropped to show only Trump and is zoomed in on the former president’s ear. In the original, Vance can be seen speaking at a podium while Trump stands behind him.

    Trump appeared at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee on Monday night with a large, white bandage on his right ear. Numerous photos from the aftermath of the shooting show the same ear bloodied.

    Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old nursing-home employee from suburban Pittsburgh, fired multiple shots at Trump with an AR-style rifle from a nearby roof at a rally for the Republican nominee on Saturday. He was killed by Secret Service personnel, officials said.

    The attempted assassination left Trump and two other men wounded. Corey Comperatore, a 50-year-old fire chief, was killed while protecting his family. The FBI said it was investigating the attack as a potential act of domestic terrorism, but has not identified a clear ideological motive, The Associated Press has reported.

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    Online posts falsely claim sharpshooter was told not to fire on suspect in Trump shooting

    CLAIM: A law enforcement sniper assigned to Trump’s rally Saturday in Butler, Pennsylvania, says the head of the Secret Service ordered him not to shoot the suspect accused of attempting to assassinate Trump.

    THE FACTS: No such order was made. Snipers killed the suspected shooter moments after he opened fire on the former president, bloodying Trump’s ear, killing one rally attendee and injuring two. The Secret Service and the Butler Police Department say they have no agents, officers or employees with the name of the person claiming to be the sharpshooter.

    Following Saturday’s attempt on Trump’s life, a poster on the online message board 4chan wrote that they were a sniper assigned to the rally, and that they can be seen in a photo of two law enforcement officers on the roof at the rally.

    “My name is Jonathan Willis,” the poster wrote. “I came here to inform the public that I had the assassin in my sights for at least 3 minutes, but the head of the secret service refused to give the order to take out the perp. 100% the top brass prevented me from killing the assassin before he took the shots at president Trump,” the post claimed.

    But there is no agent or officer by the name of Jonathan Willis working for the Secret Service or the Butler police, and no internet records of such an officer could be located.

    A spokesman for the Secret Service said snipers are trained and instructed to act whenever they see a threat, and do not await instructions before taking a shot to neutralize a suspect. He said he couldn’t discuss the specifics of agency communication or the details of the ongoing investigation, but said the post was false.

    Witnesses at the rally alerted law enforcement to the suspect, identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, after they saw him perched atop a nearby roof. A local law enforcement officer climbed to the roof and found Crooks, who pointed the rifle at the officer. The officer retreated, and the gunman quickly fired toward Trump, the officials said. That’s when U.S. Secret Service gunmen shot him, officials have said.

    Crooks, a nursing-home employee from suburban Pittsburgh, fired multiple shots at Trump with an AR-style rifle. A spectator was killed and two others were critically injured.

    Authorities said the shooting was an attempted assassination, but haven’t yet determined what motivated Crooks to try to kill Trump, the AP has reported.

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    Posts misrepresent photo to claim Trump was shot in the chest and saved by a bulletproof vest

    CLAIM: A photo shows a bullet hole in Trump’s suit jacket, proving that he was shot in the chest during the attempted assassination.

    THE FACTS: The photo actually shows a fold in the suit jacket of a Secret Service agent protecting Trump. Another Associated Press image taken moments before clearly shows there is no hole in Trump’s jacket. What appears to be a hole can be seen diminishing as the agent moves in video of the shooting’s aftermath.

    Social media users are sharing the photo from the assassination attempt to claim that the former president was shot in the chest. Some posts suggest he survived because he was wearing a bulletproof vest.

    In the image, what seems to be a small hole appears inches below Trump’s right underarm. Many posts use a zoomed-in version of the photo that has a circle around the supposed hole to emphasize the hard-to-notice detail.

    “#Trump was also shot in the chest,” reads one X post. “The bulletproof vest saved him #We support Trump.

    Another X post similarly reads, “It appears that Trump was shot in the chest, as the bullet seem to have pierced his suit; he was wearing a bulletproof vest.”

    But the apparent hole is actually a fold in the sleeve of the Secret Service agent’s jacket, not the aftermath of a bullet.

    The photo taken by an AP photographer shows the agent bending over as she protects Trump, her jacket appearing slightly darker than the former president’s. The fold can be seen by following the edge of the agent’s jacket from her neck to just below her left shoulder.

    Moreover, another AP image taken moments before the one with the supposed hole clearly shows the right side of Trump’s jacket as he raises his fist. No hole can be seen in the jacket.

    Trump wrote on his social media platform that he was “shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear.” Photos and video from the rally show blood on his right ear and on the right side of his face.

    The Secret Service declined to comment on details of the shooting, including where the bullets hit, and did not respond to a follow-up inquiry about whether Trump was wearing a bulletproof vest. Trump’s campaign did not respond to a request for comment.

    ___ Photo edited to make it appear Secret Service agents were smiling after attempt on Trump’s life

    CLAIM: A photo from the attempted assassination of Trump shows Secret Service agents smiling as they surround him after the shooting.

    THE FACTS: The photo was edited to make it appear the agents were smiling. In the original, taken by an Associated Press photographer, the same agents can be seen with neutral expressions.

    After the shooting, social media users shared the altered image, with some suggesting it was evidence that the assassination attempt had been staged.

    The photo shows Trump with blood on his face and ear, pumping his fist in front of an American flag while Secret Service agents surround him. Three agents whose faces are visible seem to be grinning as they protect the former president.

    “Why are all 3 Secret Service agents smiling, at least that is how it appears to me,” reads one post on X. “Do to the seriousness of the situation, I would think their expressions would be grim + determined. Now, if it was a staged event, these expressions would make more sense.”

    But the agents were not smiling at that moment. The photo was edited to make it appear otherwise.

    The original image shows the same three agents with neutral expressions. One man is positioned behind Trump, a second man stands by his left shoulder and a woman is bent over on his right side, beneath his raised arm.

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    Find AP Fact Checks here: https://apnews.com/APFactCheck.

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  • Ohio explosion caused by cut gas line thought to be turned off, investigators say

    Ohio explosion caused by cut gas line thought to be turned off, investigators say

    A crew working in the basement area of an Ohio building intentionally cut a gas line not knowing it was pressurized before a deadly explosion this week, the National Transportation Safety Board said Friday.NTSB board member Tom Chapman said preliminary investigation shows workers were in the basement to clear out piping and other outdated infrastructure and debris from the basement and vault area — which extends underneath the sidewalk next to the building — in anticipation of a city project to fill in the area and replace the sidewalks. A crew of five people and a supervisor had been on site that day and four of the workers were there when it happened, he said.“It was an apparently abandoned service line coming off the main, which ran parallel to the street,” Chapman said.He said workers smelled no gas before they started cutting the pipe and knew there was a problem when they made the third cut.At that point, workers pulled the fire alarm and alerted residents and bank employees to evacuate. Chapman said the explosion happened six minutes later. He also said all indications are that it was accidental.Investigators will try to determine why the pipe was pressurized and how long it had been that way.Chapman said the investigation would continue without access to the inside of the building until engineers can determine if the building is safe to enter. He said the NTSB has gotten security video from inside the bank and other video evidence.The explosion Tuesday afternoon blew out much of the ground floor of Realty Tower, killing a bank employee and injuring several others. It collapsed part of the ground floor into its basement and sent the façade across the street. Bricks, glass and other debris littered the sidewalk outside the 13-story building, which had a Chase Bank branch at street level and apartments in upper floors.Investigators are also trying to discern whether people in the bank heard the fire alarm.Youngstown Mayor Jamael Tito Brown said in a news release Friday that the city had contracted with a construction company called GreenHeart to perform private utility relocation in the basement of the Realty Tower. He said “there is no evidence” that cutting the gas line the NTSB mentioned was necessary to complete that work.Greenheart did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday evening.The bank employee, 27-year-old Akil Drake, had been seen inside the building just before the blast, police have said. Firefighters rescued others as they cleared the building.Seven injured people were taken to a Youngstown hospital. One woman remained hospitalized as of Thursday in critical condition, but her name and further details on her injuries have not been disclosed. Three others were in stable condition, and the other three were released.

    YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio —

    A crew working in the basement area of an Ohio building intentionally cut a gas line not knowing it was pressurized before a deadly explosion this week, the National Transportation Safety Board said Friday.

    NTSB board member Tom Chapman said preliminary investigation shows workers were in the basement to clear out piping and other outdated infrastructure and debris from the basement and vault area — which extends underneath the sidewalk next to the building — in anticipation of a city project to fill in the area and replace the sidewalks. A crew of five people and a supervisor had been on site that day and four of the workers were there when it happened, he said.

    “It was an apparently abandoned service line coming off the main, which ran parallel to the street,” Chapman said.

    He said workers smelled no gas before they started cutting the pipe and knew there was a problem when they made the third cut.

    At that point, workers pulled the fire alarm and alerted residents and bank employees to evacuate. Chapman said the explosion happened six minutes later. He also said all indications are that it was accidental.

    Investigators will try to determine why the pipe was pressurized and how long it had been that way.

    Chapman said the investigation would continue without access to the inside of the building until engineers can determine if the building is safe to enter. He said the NTSB has gotten security video from inside the bank and other video evidence.

    The explosion Tuesday afternoon blew out much of the ground floor of Realty Tower, killing a bank employee and injuring several others. It collapsed part of the ground floor into its basement and sent the façade across the street. Bricks, glass and other debris littered the sidewalk outside the 13-story building, which had a Chase Bank branch at street level and apartments in upper floors.

    Investigators are also trying to discern whether people in the bank heard the fire alarm.

    Youngstown Mayor Jamael Tito Brown said in a news release Friday that the city had contracted with a construction company called GreenHeart to perform private utility relocation in the basement of the Realty Tower. He said “there is no evidence” that cutting the gas line the NTSB mentioned was necessary to complete that work.

    Greenheart did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday evening.

    The bank employee, 27-year-old Akil Drake, had been seen inside the building just before the blast, police have said. Firefighters rescued others as they cleared the building.

    Seven injured people were taken to a Youngstown hospital. One woman remained hospitalized as of Thursday in critical condition, but her name and further details on her injuries have not been disclosed. Three others were in stable condition, and the other three were released.

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  • 2 missing, multiple people injured in explosion at Chase bank in downtown Youngstown, Ohio

    2 missing, multiple people injured in explosion at Chase bank in downtown Youngstown, Ohio

    Seven people were injured, including one critically, and two people remain unaccounted for in a gas explosion in downtown Youngstown, Ohio, Tuesday, officials said.

    The explosion occurred near Central Square, according to police, who urged people to avoid the area.

    “Emergency services are on the scene, and the situation is being actively managed,” the Youngstown Police Department said in a post on Facebook Tuesday evening.

    One person remains unaccounted for following the natural gas explosion, Youngstown Fire Chief Barry Finley told reporters.

    Mercy Health said Tuesday evening it is treating seven people who were injured in the incident, including one person in critical condition.

    RON FLAVIANO/BLISS360 MARKETING and WEWS

    It is unclear what caused the explosion, which impacted a building that contains a Chase bank and apartments, officials said.

    Water and gas have been shut off to the building, Finley said. Crews were waiting for the power to be turned off to conduct a search, he said.

    Everyone in the bank has been accounted for except for one man and one woman, Finley said. Police were searching for the man’s vehicle in the wake of the explosion, he said.

    “Until then, we have to assume he is in the building,” Finley said.

    An engineer will also examine the structural integrity of the building, the fire chief said. The center of downtown will be “completely shut down” due to the potential for a structural collapse, Finley said.

    The immediate vicinity has been evacuated, officials said.

    A Chase spokesperson told ABC News the company is in “close contact with local officials to check on the safety of everyone in the building and area.”

    “After that, we’ll work to determine what happened and to assess the damage,” the spokesperson said.

    This is a developing story. Please check back for more information.

    Copyright © 2024 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.

    WPVI

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  • Motorcycle Run Set to Honor Maxton Soviak, a Berlin Heights Native Killed in Recent Kabul Attack

    Motorcycle Run Set to Honor Maxton Soviak, a Berlin Heights Native Killed in Recent Kabul Attack

    The ride is sponsored by Youngstown Harley-Davidson and will raise money for the Maxton Soviak Memorial Fund.

    Press Release
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    updated: Sep 16, 2021


    YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio, September 16, 2021 (Newswire.com)
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    A memorial motorcycle run will be held in Youngstown on Sunday, September 19, to honor Maxton Soviak, one of the 13 soldiers killed in action in the recent Afghanistan attacks. The memorial ride, sponsored by Youngstown Harley-Davidson, will raise awareness of and funds for the newly established Maxton Soviak Memorial Fund, which will pay tribute to Soviak’s contributions and sacrifices.

    Soviak was a Berlin Heights native who enlisted in the United States Navy following his high school graduation in 2017. For the past four years, he proudly served his country as a Navy Corpsman. Soviak never said no to a new adventure and had an undying love for his family, friends, and country. He never met a stranger and made friends all over the world while enlisted in the Navy.

    A trust fund has been set up to honor Soviak’s memory, with contributions supporting his family during this difficult time. The September 19 ride will show appreciation for Soviak’s and his family’s sacrifices and honor his memory.

    The Maxton Soviak Memorial Bike Run will start at Youngstown Harley-Davidson, located at 5700 Patriot Blvd. Registration will open on-site at 9 a.m., with the ride beginning at 12 p.m. The Biker Brewhouse will provide breakfast to all riders. Registration is $20 per bike and $10 per additional rider. A 50/50 drawing will also be available at the event. All proceeds from the event will go directly to the Maxton Soviak Memorial Fund.

    “We invite all local bikers to come down to Youngstown Harley-Davidson to show support for our servicemen and women killed in the recent Kabul attacks and especially to honor the memory of one of Ohio’s own, Maxton Soviak,” said Tom Orlando, General Sales Manager of Youngstown Harley-Davidson. “While there truly is no action we can do to fully repay Maxton and his family for their sacrifice, we hope this event will offer some small show of support and comfort for the family and let them know they are not alone. We’re anticipating a large crowd, so come early to show your support for the family and contribute to this important fund.”

    To learn more about Maxton Soviak’s life, visit https://bit.ly/3956VBY. To learn more about Youngstown Harley-Davidson and the Maxton Soviak Memorial Bike run, visit https://bit.ly/2YZ7wU3.

    About Youngstown Harley-Davidson

    Since 2007, Youngstown Harley-Davidson has been the motorcycle mecca of America. Its six-acre compound offers an exciting array of experiences for bikers and is known as Harley-Davidson Bike Town. From bike sales and service to a motorcycle riding academy and on-site dining, Youngstown Harley-Davidson is the premier location in the country for bikers to visit and feel welcome. To learn more, visit https://youngstownharleydavidson.com/.

    # # #

    For more information about the Maxton Soviak Memorial Bike Run or media inquiries, please contact Jacquelyn Repomonto at jrepomonto@ytownhd.com.

    Source: Youngstown Harley-Davidson

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