FBI calls shooting at Trump rally an attempted assassination
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Former President Trump is surrounded by Secret Service agents at his campaign rally Saturday in Butler, Pa. Photo: Evan Vucci/AP
Former President Trump was escorted off stage by Secret Service agents after a series of gunshots during a rally on Saturday in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Driving the news: The attack was an "assassination attempt" but a motive has not yet been determined, the FBI said in an overnight press conference. One shooter has been "tentatively identified," Pennsylvania State Police said at the presser.
Trump confirmed in a Truth Social post on Saturday he was "shot with a bullet" that pierced his upper right ear. The alleged shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, and a former fire chief attending the rally, Corey Comperatore, were both killed.
- David Dutch, 57, and James Copenhaver, 74, were both injured in the attack and are in stable condition, Pennsylvania State Police said in a Sunday statement.
- The suspected shooter "fired multiple shots toward the stage from an elevated position outside of the rally venue," per Secret Service Communications Chief Anthony Guglielmi.
- Trump had blood on his face after he was brought to his feet by Secret Service agents. The crowd at the rally was quickly evacuated.
- Trump pumped his fist as he was leaving the stage, drawing cheers from the crowd.
State of play: The "Secret Service has implemented protective measures and the former president is safe," Guglielmi said earlier Saturday.
- Trump senior advisers Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita said in a statement that Trump is still planning to attend the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, which begins on Monday.
President Biden condemned the attack as "sick" in remarks on Saturday evening.
- Biden spoke with Trump on Saturday, the White House said in a statement.
- "Jill and I are grateful to the Secret Service for getting him to safety," Biden said in a statement after the attack. "There's no place for this kind of violence in America. We must unite as one nation to condemn it."
- The Biden campaign is also pausing all outbound communications and working to pull down television ads as quickly as possible, per a campaign official.
Former Presidents Obama and Clinton, as well as scores of elected officials from both parties, also condemned the shooting.
What's next: Attorney General Merrick Garland also said in a statement that the FBI, ATF, U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania, and the Department's National Security Division were working with the Secret Service and state and local law enforcement.
- "My heart is with the former President, those injured, and the family of the spectator killed in this horrific attack," Garland said.
- "We will not tolerate violence of any kind, and violence like this is an attack on our democracy. The Justice Department will bring every available resource to bear to this investigation."
- House Republican leaders also vowed Saturday to investigate the incident, requesting a briefing and hearing with the head of the Secret Service.
Zoom out: Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) said earlier Saturday he had been briefed on the situation and that state police were "on the scene in Butler County and working with our federal and local partners."
Editors note: This story has been updated with additional details throughout.
Go deeper: Gunshots at Trump rally met with bipartisan condemnation
