Donald Trump shooting at Butler rally latest: What we know about shooter, victims, former president
Details continue to emerge from the fallout of an assassination attempt Saturday during former President Donald Trump’s rally in Butler County.
Trump was shot in the ear but is “fine,” according to his campaign team. The Secret Service shot and killed a 20-year-old suspect from Bethel Park, south of Pittsburgh. One victim died and two others were taken to a local hospital and are in stable condition, according to Pennsylvania state police.
Here are the latest details from the shooting that has rocked Butler County and the United States in the middle of the 2024 presidential election campaign. This story will be updated as more information is made available.
The former president and presumptive Republican nominee had started a campaign speech shortly after 6 p.m. Saturday at the Butler Farm Show grounds. A few minutes after he began, while talking about border crossings and showing shots, two series of shots could be heard. Trump grabbed the right side of his head and then dropped to the ground, covered quickly by Secret Service members.
Trump eventually was rushed off the stage, but not before, with face bloodied, he raised his fist to the crowd.
Yes. Trump wrote on social media later Saturday evening he was shot in his right ear. He was taken to a medical facility and received treatment. He later flew to New Jersey.
Officials released the suspect’s name, Thomas Matthew Crooks, early Sunday morning. According to reports, Crooks opened fire with an AR-15-style weapon from atop a roof outside the farm show grounds. He was killed by the Secret Service.
Crooks, 20, was from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania.
Investigators have yet to determine Crooks’ motivations. Bomb-making material was found in his vehicle, located near the rally, and his home, according to officials who spoke anonymously to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
Yes. One male, 50-year-old Corey Comperatore of Buffalo Township, was killed. Two other men were rushed to a nearby hospital. Officials said Sunday afternoon David Dutch (57, of New Kensington) and James Copenhaver (74, Moon Township) are in stable condition.
Trump was in Butler County for a campaign rally as he strives to win back the White House after losing the 2020 election. It was his second visit; he previously came to Pittsburgh-Butler Regional Airport during his 2020 re-election campaign. He is the sixth president to visit Butler County.
It appears so. Trump was scheduled to fly to Milwaukee, Wis., the location for this week’s Republican National Convention, as of Sunday afternoon.
Trump has been the presumptive GOP nominee for months and is likely to face current President Joe Biden in November’s general election.
Slippery Rock Mayor Jondavid Longo was shown on camera carrying someone who was injured, but he told the Eagle he doesn’t remember much about that situation.
He and others recounted their experiences at the event.
Malphine Fogel, Marc’s mother was set to go on stage, Saturday, but that plan didn’t come to fruition. She did, however, meet him in advance.
