U.S. authorities are investigating an assassination attempt of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump at a campaign rally. The incident also left one spectator killed and two others critically injured.
The rally was held in Pennsylvania, which is considered one of the most important states in the presidential race. It occurred prior to the Republican National Convention scheduled to begin on Monday in Milwaukee.
While there have been cases of political violence targeting U.S. politicians, Saturday’s attack is considered the most serious attempt to assassinate a president or presidential candidate since Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981.
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Mr. Trump was talking about immigration at the rally when the sound of shots rang out. The former president ducked behind a lecte online dispensary rn and security agents rushed to the stage. Video footage captured the sound of screams from the crowd.
Agents created a shield around Mr. Trump and could be heard indicating that a “shooter’s down.” When he stood up, Mr. Trump’s face was bloodied. He then pumped his fist as supporters cheered and he was ushered off the stage.
Mr. Trump and his motorcade left the scene and he was checked into a medical facility in Pennsylvania. He later flew to New Je dispensary rsey.
Mr. Trump posted on his Truth Social platform and said he “felt the bullet ripping through the skin” and that much bleeding took place. The former president also said it w buy weed online canada as “incredible that such an act can take place” and he immediately knew that something was wrong when he heard a whizzing sound.
Officials say Thomas Matthe buy weed online canada w Crooks of Bethel Park, Pa., opened fire from a rooftop outside the rally venue in Butler.
The Secret Service said in a statement that the shooter “fired multiple shots toward the stage from an elevated position outside of the rally venue.” Mr. Crooks was killed by the service.
In an interview with the BBC, bystander Greg Smith detailed how he saw a man with a rifle “bear-crawling” on the roof of a building outside of the rally. Mr. Smith said he tried to notify police but the man remained in position for two or several minutes before opening fire.
“So we’re standing there, we’re pointing, we’re pointing at the guy crawling up the roof,” Mr. Smith told the BBC. “He had a rifle. We could clearly see him with a rifle.”
“I’m thinking to myself, why is Trump still speaking? Why have they not pulled him off the stage? I’m standing there pointing at him for two or three minutes.”
Mr. Smith the Security Service crawled up on the roof, pointed their guns and made sure the shooter was dead.
Another witness provided a similar account to CBS News, saying he had told a police officer at least twice about a man moving on rooftops before the shooting occurred.
Michael Stigamire, a long-time Trump supporter, said he and his girlfriend Christine Kortes found a spot under a water tent about 150 metres from the stage. He said at first, he thought a Roman candle was going off but then heard rapid fire and realized it was gunshots. Mr. Stigamire said he doesn’t understand how someone was able to climb up on the roof and get so close to Trump.
At a Saturday night news conference, the FBI said it used DNA testing to confirm the shooter’s identity.
The U.S. security and intelligence agency identified the shooter as Mr. Crooks. The 20-year-old was a resident of Bethel Park, a community located south of Pittsburgh and less than 80 kilometres from where the shooting took place.
Court records in Pennsylvania show no past criminal cases against Mr. Crooks. State voter records show that the coming November election would have been the first time Mr. Crooks would have been old enough to vote in a presidential race.
Law enforcement officials told Associated Press that bomb-making materials were found inside Mr. Crooks’ vehicle, in addition to at his home.
A firefighter who attended the rally, 50-year-old Corey Comperatore, was killed. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro said at a Sunday news conference that Mr. Comperatore dove on his family to protect them during the shooting and “died a hero.”
Pennsylvania State Police identified the two other shooting victims and both are listed in stable condition: 57-year-old David Dutch of New Kensington, Pa., and 74-year-old James Copenhaver, of Moon Township, Pa.
The shooting incident has been met with condemnation, including from U.S. President Joe Biden.
Mr. Biden held a news conference about three hours after the incident and said everyone must condemn the assassination attempt. He said he was not able to reach Mr. Trump prior to delivering his remarks.
On Sunday afternoon, Mr. Biden provided updated comments, including that he had a “short but good conversation” with Mr. Trump and was ordering a review of how this had occurred. The President also warned Americans against making assumptions about the shooter’s motives or affiliations and underscored the need for national unity. Mr. Biden planned to deliver an address from the Oval Office on Sunday evening.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a statement posted on social-media platform X that he was “sickened” by the shooting. Mr. Trudeau also said that it cannot be overstated that political violence is “never acceptable.” He said his thoughts are with Mr. Trump, those who attended the event, and all Americans.
With reports from Nathan VanderKlippe, Adrian Morrow, Robyn Doolittle, Laura Stone, Associated Press and Reuters