Trump rally shooting: Ex-US Prez returns to New Jersey, FBI Identifies accused

The Kremlin on Sunday said it did not believe the current US administration was responsible for Saturday's assassination attempt on US presidential candidate Donald Trump, but that it had created an atmosphere that provoked the attack. Trump was shot in the ear during a Saturday rally in Pennsylvania, in an attack now being investigated as an assassination attempt that left the Republican presidential candidate's face streaked with blood.

Former US President Donald Trump was seen walking down from his aeroplane after arriving in New Jersey, video released by a senior member of his communications team on Sunday showed, after he was shot in the ear during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania. Margo Martin, Trump's Deputy Director of Communications, posted the video on X early on Sunday, along with a message reading; "Strong and resilient. He will never stop fighting for America." It was an unusually visible show of force by his protective detail. Trump planned to spend the night at his private golf club in nearby Bedminster, New Jersey.

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A shooting at former US President and Republican candidate for the upcoming elections Donald Trump's rally in Butler, Pennsylvania is being investigated as an attempted assassination of the former president and presumptive Republican nominee, law enforcement officials say. One attendee was killed and two were critically injured. Trump said on social media that a bullet “pierced the upper part” of his right ear before agents whisked him off stage. The Secret Service said it killed the suspected shooter, who attacked from an elevated position outside the rally venue.

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The FBI named Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, as the subject involved in the assassination attempt. The agency said the investigation remains active and ongoing.

Trump’s private jet landed shortly after midnight Sunday at Newark Liberty International Airport. Video posted by an aide showed the former president deplaning, flanked by U.S. Secret Service agents and heavily armed members of the agency’s counter assault team. It was an unusually visible show of force by his protective detail. Trump planned to spend the night at his private golf club in nearby Bedminster, New Jersey. (AP)

President Joe Biden arrived early Sunday after cutting short a weekend trip to Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. The White House said he would receive a briefing from Homeland Security and law enforcement officials on the attempted assassination of Trump later in the morning. Vice President Kamala Harris was also to attend. (AP)

Law enforcement officials say the assailant who opened fire at Trump rally was a 20-year-old man from Pennsylvania, reports AP.

Asked whether there was anything about the venue that made it particularly difficult to secure,  State Police Lt. Col. George Bivens deferred to the Secret Service, which was not present at the news conference. Bivens said he wouldn’t speculate when asked “how close a call” it was for Trump. (AP)

Asked if law enforcement did not know the shooter was on the roof until he began firing, Kevin Rojek, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Pittsburgh field office, said, “that is our assessment at this time.” “It is surprising” that the shooter was able to get off as many rounds as were fired, Rojek said. He added that “all the details of that will come out later investigation.” (AP)

The FBI has called the shooting at former President Donald Trump’s rally Saturday night an attempted assassination. “This evening, we had what we’re calling an assassination attempt against our former President Donald Trump. It’s still an active crime scene,” said Kevin Rojek, the special agent in charge of the FBI’s Pittsburgh field office, speaking at a news conference in Butler, Pennsylvania. (CNN)

FBI says investigators haven’t identified motive in assassination attempt against Trump, reports AP.

"I am deeply concerned by the assassination attempt on former US President Donald Trump. Such acts must be condemned in the strongest possible terms. Wishing him a swift and complete recovery," Congress leader Rahul Gandhi posted on X.

Former US president and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump on Saturday said he was shot at during his rally in Pennsylvania and a bullet pierced the upper part of his right ear. In his first statement issued on the social media platform Truth Social, 78-year-old Trump thanked the US Secret Service for saving his life. “I want to thank the United States Secret Service, and all of Law Enforcement, for their rapid response to the shooting that just took place in Butler, Pennsylvania,” the former president said.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro said former President Trump has now left the Butler area. He further said that federal law enforcement officials will continue to lead on the investigation into the shooting of former President Trump. Pennsylvania State Police will lead the investigation into the shooting of the other victims. 

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, "Sara and I were shocked by the apparent attack on President Trump. We pray for his safety and speedy recovery."

Butler Mayor Robert Dandoy told CNN he was offered full support from the White House in a conversation with President Joe Biden after the shooting at former President Donald Trump’s rally Saturday night.

During their conversation, Dandoy said Biden offered his condolences to the city, located in western Pennsylvania. “He offered anything they can do for us, and I offered the same,” Dandoy told CNN. Biden also spoke with Pennsylvania Gov Josh Shapiro and Trump on Saturday, according to the White House.

House Speaker Mike Johnson vowed to conduct a full investigation of the shooting. “The American people deserve to know the truth. We will have Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle and other appropriate officials from DHS and the FBI appear for a hearing before our committees ASAP,” he wrote.

US President Joe Biden reacts to 'assassination attempt' on former US President Donald Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania.  "Apparently he is doing well. I will talk to him. There is no place in America for this kind of violence. We cannot allow this to happen. I want to thank all the secret service including all the agencies. Bottom line is, the Trump rally should have been conducted peacefully. This violence is just not appropriate. So far, it appears he is doing well. I will speak with federal agencies for updates. I'll get back to you."  

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said he was 'appalled by the shocking scenes' of a shooting targeting Donald Trump at an election rally. "I am appalled by the shocking scenes at President Trump's rally and we send him and his family our best wishes. Political violence in any form has no place in our societies and my thoughts are with all the victims of this attack," he said.

The Secret Service said that multiple shots came from 'elevated position' outside Trump rally venue in Butler, Pennsylvania on the evening of July 13 at around 6:15 pm. "During former President Trump's campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on the evening of July 13 at around 6:15 p.m., a suspected shooter fired multiple shots toward the stage from an elevated position outside of the rally venue," it said in an official statement. 

"US Secret Service personnel neutralised the shooter, who is now deceased. The US Secret Service quickly responded with protective measures and the former President is safe and being evaluated. One spectator was killed, and two spectators were critically injured. The incident is currently under investigation and the Secret Service has formally notified the Federal Bureau of Investigation," the statement read further.

Tech billionaire Elon Musk has said that he 'fully' endorses Trump after the rally violence. "I fully endorse President Trump and hope for his rapid recovery," Musk wrote on X and shared a video of the incident. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the attack on former US President Donald Trump. "Deeply concerned by the attack on my friend, former President Donald Trump. Strongly condemn the incident. Violence has no place in politics and democracies. Wish him a speedy recovery. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the deceased, those injured and the American people," he said.

The FBI announced it will lead the investigation into the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump, collaborating with the Secret Service, local, and state law enforcement agencies. Attorney General Merrick Garland stated that the ATF, the US attorney’s office in the Western District of Pennsylvania, and the Justice Department’s national security division are also involved in the investigation. 

The White House said President Biden spoke with former President Donald Trump on Saturday evening. No further details were provided on the call. Biden will convene a briefing with homeland security and law enforcement officials at the White House on Sunday morning. (AP)

President Joe Biden will return to the White House from Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, earlier than planned, according to a statement from White House officials as reported by CNN. Biden is scheduled to arrive at the White House at 12:30 a.m. Sunday, the statement said. He was originally scheduled to stay in Delaware until Monday and fly directly to Texas for events.

Former US president George W Bush also condemned the 'cowardly' attack. “Laura and I are grateful that Trump is safe following the cowardly attack on his life. And we commend the men and women of the Secret Service for their speedy response,” the former President said as Americans prayed for his speedy recovery.

"I have been briefed on the shooting at former President Trump’s event in Pennsylvania. Doug and I are relieved that he is not seriously injured. We are praying for him, his family, and all those who have been injured and impacted by this senseless shooting. We are grateful to the United States Secret Service, first responders, and local authorities for their immediate action. Violence such as this has no place in our nation. We must all condemn this abhorrent act and do our part to ensure that it does not lead to more violence," US Vice President Kamala Harris posted on X.

Former US president and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump on Saturday said he was shot at during his rally in Pennsylvania and a bullet pierced the upper part of his right ear. Trump thanked the US Secret Service for saving his life.

“I want to thank the United States Secret Service, and all of Law Enforcement, for their rapid response to the shooting that just took place in Butler, Pennsylvania. Most importantly, I want to extend my condolences to the family of the person at the rally who was killed, and also to the family of another person that was badly injured. It is incredible that such an act can take place in our country,” the former President said.

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. Much bleeding took place, so I realised then what was happening. God bless America!” Trump said. READ

Former US President Barack Obama also reacted to the apparent shooting at his successor Donald Trump's rally and said there was "absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy." "Although we don't yet know exactly what happened, we should all be relieved that former President Trump wasn't seriously hurt, and use this moment to recommit ourselves to civility and respect in our politics," he said.

US President Joe Biden said he was "grateful to hear" that his election rival Donald Trump was safe in a shooting incident at a rally in Pennsylvania.  "I'm 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 in a statement shortly after the incident.

"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."

The moment of the suspected assassination attempt was captured Live on camera as panic spread the rally with the former US President going down.

A shooter who allegedly attacked former US president Donald Trump during his election rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday was shot dead by the Secret Service, law enforcement officials said.  The US Secret Service said at about 6.15 pm, a suspected shooter fired multiple shots toward the stage from an elevated position outside of the rally venue, in Butler, Pennsylvania. A local prosecutor said that at least one attendee was dead and two spectators were critically injured. READ

Former US President Donald  Trump’s campaign is 'fine' and is being checked out at a local medical facility after a shooting at his rally in Pennsylvania.  “President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act,” spokesman Steven Cheung said in a statement. “He is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility. More details will follow.” READ

Former US president and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump got injured during his election rally in Butler, Pennsylvania following an apparent series of gunshots. READ