Trump assassination attempt: FBI believes shooter acted alone

BUTLER, Pa. — Former President Donald Trump was injured in an apparent assassination attempt Saturday as he began speaking at a campaign rally in Western Pennsylvania. One bystander was killed and two others were seriously injured. It is the first assassination attempt made on a sitting president or presidential candidate since 1981. The Republican National Convention begins Monday.

Scroll down for the latest updates.

No operational changes for RNC

Update 5:00 pm. ET July 14 -- The Secret Service said there are no operational changes for the Republican National Convention set to begin on Monday, The Associated Press reported. The agency said it feels “confident in the security plans” a day after a gunman nearly assassinated the former president.

Audrey Gibson-Cicchino, the Secret Service coordinator for the RNC said her agency is “ready to go,” The New York Times reported.

The FBI said there have been no known “specific and articulated threats” against the convention or attendees.

Trump is en route to Milwaukee for the RNC Trump campaign advisor Dan Scavino said on social media just before 5 p.m. ET.

FBI provides update

Update 3:55 p.m. ET July 14 -- The FBI believes the shooter acted alone, but has yet to discover his ideology. They are examining his social media feeds, The Associated Press reported, but have not found any threatening writing, The Associated Press reported.

“At this time, the information that we have indicates that the shooter acted alone and that there are currently no public safety concerns,” FBI special agent Kevin Rojek, said, according to The Washington Post. “At present, we have not identified an ideology associated with the subject, but I want to remind everyone that we’re still very early in this investigation.”

They have found a suspicious device which agents have diffused.

Rojek said the gun was an AR-style 556, which was purchased legally by the shooter’s father and that there was no evidence of it being a “straw man purchase” where someone buys a weapon for someone else, the Post reported.

Officials are not sure how the shooter accessed the gun or whether he had taken it with his father’s knowledge, CNN reported.

Rojek said there are no indications of mental health issues in the shooter. The FBI has the gunman’s phone and it is being examined by experts at Quantico, Virginia. His family is cooperating with the investigation.

The special agent said there is no indication of a confrontation with local police before the shooting, despite earlier reports, the Post reported.

The FBI has received more than 2,000 tips in the investigation. They are calling it not only an attempted assassination but also an act of domestic terrorism, the AP reported.

-Natalie Dreier, Cox Media Group National Content Desk

GoFundMe set up for victim’s daughter

Update 3:49 p.m. ET July 14 -- A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to help the daughter of the man killed during the assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump.

Corey Comperatore was killed protecting his family at the rally on Saturday when shots rang out.

The fundraiser to help Comperatore’s daughter Allyson, said that she had “lost her father due to a senseless, tragic act at the Trump Rally in Butler.”

The goal of the campaign was $7,000, but in just hours has raised more than $401,000 as of Sunday afternoon with donations as little as $10 to one made by an anonymous that was $25,000.

-Natalie Dreier, Cox Media Group National Content Desk

Victims’ identities released

Update 3:20 p.m. ET July 14 -- Pennsylvania State Police have released the identities of the other two victims of Saturday’s shooting.

David Dutch, 57, is from New Kensington, Pennsylvania, and was taken to an area hospital in critical condition. His condition has been upgraded to stable, WPXI reported.

James Copenhaver, 74, from Moon Township, Pennsylvania, was identified as another victim. He was also taken to a hospital in critical condition but has been upgraded to stable condition.

“These victims and their families are certainly in our thoughts today,” Colonel Christopher Paris, Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner, said on Sunday. “The Pennsylvania State Police continue to work tirelessly alongside our federal, state and local partners as this investigation continues.”

Earlier in the day Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro identified the person killed as Corey Comperatore, The Associated Press reported.

-Natalie Dreier, Cox Media Group National Content Desk

More details about gunman

Update 3:10 p.m. ET July 14 -- More details are being released about the gunman Thomas Crooks. The Washington Post discovered that Crooks was a dietary aide at Bethel Park Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Marcy Grimm, the center’s administrator said in a statement, “We are shocked and saddened to learn of his involvement as Thomas Matthew Crooks performed his job without concern and his background check was clean.”

Grimm said the center is “fully cooperating” with law enforcement but cannot comment further because of the investigation.

Classmate Sarah D’Angelo said she saw Crooks nearly every day before school in homeroom at Bethel Park High School. Most of the time he would be finishing homework or playing video games on his school-supplied computer, the Post reported. She said he was a quiet kid and was nice to people who talked to him. She said he would wear hunting and camouflage-style clothing but that it was normal for the community to dress that way.

“There were a few people that were more violent in school,” she told the newspaper. “He was not one of those kids.”

-Natalie Dreier, Cox Media Group National Content Desk

Gunman pointed rifle at officer

Update 2:59 p.m. ET July 14 -- Two law enforcement sources said Thomas Crooks pointed his rifle at an officer who had climbed to the roof of the building where Crooks had been seen. The officer retreated down the ladder and Crooks fired towards Trump, The Associated Press reported.

After Crooks fired, Secret Service counter snipers shot him.

-Natalie Dreier, Cox Media Group National Content Desk

Trump to travel to Milwaukee Sunday

Update 2:29 p.m. ET July 14 --Trump said he will still travel to Milwaukee on Sunday in advance of the Republican National Convention. He said on Truth Social that he was going to delay it but cannot “allow a ‘shooter,’ or potential assassin, to force change to scheduling, or anything else.”

-Natalie Dreier, Cox Media Group National Content Desk

Biden speaks

Update 2:06 p.m. ET July 14 --

Biden said he and Vice President Kamala Harris were briefed by several administration leaders including from Secret Service and Homeland Security.

He also said there is no place for violence in the U.S.

“There is no place in America for this kind of violence or any violence for that matter. An assassination attempt is contrary to everything we stand for as a nation. Everything. It’s not who we are as a nation. It’s not America. And we cannot allow this to happen. Unity is the most elusive goal of all, but nothing is as important as that right now: Unity,” Biden said.

He said that a motive has still not been determined but that all resources will be available for the investigation.

Biden has directed the Secret Service to review all security measures for the upcoming Republican National Convention and for a review of what happened on Saturday.

He also plans on addressing the nation again on Sunday night from the Oval Office at 8 p.m., The Associated Press reported.

-Natalie Dreier, Cox Media Group National Content Desk

Biden postpones trip to Texas

Update 1:29 p.m. ET July 14 -- President Joe Biden had been scheduled to travel to Texas on Monday to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act, the administration said last week. A ceremony was set to be held at the LBJ Presidential Library.

He has since postponed the trip to Texas, The Associated Press reported.

Biden will still speak with NBC at the White House instead of Texas.

-Natalie Dreier, Cox Media Group National Content Desk

Crooks’ classmate said shooter was bullied in school

Update 1:20 p.m. ET July 14 -- Jason Kohler spoke to CNN about Crooks, claiming that the shooter had a “target on his back” while attending Bethel Park High School.

Kohler said he wasn’t in the same class as Crooks but that they would see each other in the hallways, adding that Crooks had “no facial expression” and that he had been bullied for not fitting in with the rest of the school.

Kohler called Crooks “a smart kid” from what he had heard.

-Natalie Dreier, Cox Media Group National Content Desk

‘Security failure’

Updated 1:02 p.m. ET July 14 -- U.S. Rep Mark Green, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, is demanding information from Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas about Saturday’s shooting, specifically information about the Secret Service detail.

“The seriousness of this security failure and chilling moment in our nation’s history cannot be understated,” Green wrote in a letter to the agency and posted to social media. Green said there were serious questions about how the “… shooter was able to access a rooftop within range and direct line of sight of where President Trump was speaking.”

Green claimed that the Secret Service had denied the Trump campaign’s request for more security, but Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi said the allegations are “absolutely false,” adding that more resources and technology had been added as Trump’s campaign travel increased, the AP reported.

Meanwhile, members of the Biden administration have changed their travel plans for the upcoming week.

Attorney General Merrick Garland had planned to travel this week to Nevada, Idaho, Utah and Kansas for meetings with local law enforcement and to speak at the National Bar Association, but has canceled the itinerary to stay in Washington, D.C. according to Xochitl Hinojosa, director of public affairs at the Department of Justice.

“The Attorney General continues to receive regular briefings regarding the attack at former President Trump’s rally. This morning he met with Department personnel and partners from across government,” Hinojosa said in a statement to CNN.

Vice President Kamala Harris was supposed to travel to Palm Beach, Florida, on Tuesday for an event discussing women’s reproductive rights. It was to be a moderated conversation with Republican women, CNN reported.

-Natalie Dreier, Cox Media Group National Content Desk

Victim identified; President Biden to speak

Updated 12:28 p.m. ET July 14 -- Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro has identified the person killed during Saturday’s assassination attempt on Trump as Corey Comperatore, The Associated Press reported.

Comperatore was a former fire chief.

“Corey died a hero. Corey dove on his family to protect them last night,” Shapiro said.

Flags in the commonwealth will be flown at half-staff to honor Comperatore.

Shapiro did not identify the other two victims, the AP reported.

The Trump campaign has started a GoFundMe to help the victims of the victims of Saturday’s shooting, saying the fundraiser is “a place for donations to the supporters and families wounded or killed,” Fox News reported.

More than $1 million has already been pledged from supporters such as Kid Rock ($50,000) and Vivek Ramaswamy ($30,000).

-Natalie Dreier, Cox Media Group National Content Desk

Shooter spotted before rally

Updated 12:03 p.m. ET July 14 -- CNN reported the shooter was seen outside Saturday’s rally by law enforcement who said he may have been acting suspiciously near the walk-through metal detectors. Officials relayed by radio to watch him and that the information was shared with the Secret Service. Bystanders also alerted law enforcement that they noticed a gunman on the roof of a nearby building.

Meanwhile, Ivanka Trump has released a statement on the anniversary of her mother’s death, which happened to nearly coincide with the attempted assassination of Donald Trump.

Ivanna Trump died on July 14, 2022, at the age of 73.

Ivanka Trump wrote on the social media platform X, “I believe she was watching over Dad last night during the attempt on her life.”

-Natalie Dreier, Cox Media Group National Content Desk

Melania Trump releases statement

Updated 11:30 a.m. ET July 14 -- Former first lady Melania Trump released a statement Sunday, thanking Secret Service agents for protecting her husband’s life and sending sympathy to the other victims of Saturday’s shooting, USA Today reported.

“When I watched that violent bullet strike my husband, Donald, I realized my life, and Barron’s life, were on the brink of devastating change,” she wrote.

She also called the gunman a “monster.”

“A monster who recognized my husband as an inhuman political machine attempted to ring out Donald’s passion - his laughter, ingenuity, love of music, and inspiration.”

She also thanked supporters and even those who have not backed Trump for sending their thoughts.

“For those of you who cry in support, I thank you. I commend those of you who have reached out beyond the political divide - thank you for remembering that every single politician is a man or a woman with a loving family.”

-Natalie Dreier, Cox Media Group National Content Desk

Explosive material found

Updated 11:14 a.m. ET July 14 -- Law enforcement told CNN and The Associated Press the gunman had explosive material inside his car and home.

-Natalie Dreier, Cox Media Group National Content Desk

Election effect

Updated 11:03 a.m. ET July 14 -- As the immediate threat passed and attention began to turn to the context of Saturday’s violence, including the race for president, politicos have begun speculating on how the attempted assassination of the Republican party’s presumptive nominee will impact the race.

Democratic operatives told Axios that they expect the shooting to bolster Trump’s chances in November.

In a post on the social media platform X, Rep. Mike Collins called for Biden to be charged for inciting an assassination, accusing Biden of having said recently, “It’s time to put Trump in a bullseye.”

There is no evidence Biden had any role in inspiring Thomas Matthew Crooks to shoot Trump.

-Michelle Jones, National Content Desk

Gun purchased by father

Updated 10:25 a.m. ET July 14 -- The Associated Press is reporting that authorities believe the gun used by Thomas Matthew Crooks was purchased at least six months ago by Crooks’ father, Matthew Crooks.

In the absence of an ID, the gun was used to help identify him, according to CNN. When reached by their reporters on Saturday, Crooks’ father expressed surprise, saying he was trying to figure out “what the hell is going on.”

Twenty-year-old Crooks was a registered Republican, but reports suggest he donated to a “progressive” political action committee on the day Joe Biden was inaugurated, AP reported.

-Michelle Jones, National Content Desk

>>READ MORE: Who is Thomas Crooks, the man accused of shooting Trump?

How did shooter access rooftop?

Updated 9:48 a.m. ET July 14 -- Questions are being raised about the protection offered by the Secret Service, including how someone was able to reach the rooftop of an adjacent building and why former president Trump was permitted to stand and pump his fist to the crowd.

A witness told BBC that before the shooting started, he alerted nearby law enforcement to a man on a roof with a rifle.

The Secret Service has faced criticism over the last few years, with charges including incompetence and questions about agents demonstrating political favoritism.

However, reports that the Secret Service denied requests by the Trump camp for additional security are false, Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi said. “In fact, the U.S. Secret Service added protective resources and capabilities to the former President’s security detail,” he said.

-Michelle Jones, National Content Desk

Trump issues memo to staff

Update 9:30 a.m. ET July 14 -- The day after authorities say 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks attempted to kill former President Trump, Trump himself issued a statement Sunday calling for unity and thanked his supporters, “as it was God alone who prevented the unthinkable from happening.”

In a memo to staff, Trump’s campaign team advised workers to avoid offices in Washington and West Palm Beach as security is enhanced and those locations are evaluated for threats, according to AP.

-Michelle Jones, National Content Desk

Shooter identified

Updated 1:46 a.m. ET July 14 - The FBI has confirmed the identity of the shooter as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania.

-Michelle Jones, National Content Desk

>>READ MORE: What we know about Thomas Matthew Crooks

Historian weighs in

Updated 12:40 a.m. ET July 14 -- Political science scholar Ari Perliger said the attempted assassination of former President Trump brought the US within one inch of civil war.

“I think that if, indeed, Donald Trump had suffered fatal injuries today, the level of violence that we witnessed so far would be nothing in comparison to what would have happened in the next couple of months,” Perliger said. “I think that would have unleashed a new level of anger, frustration, resentment, hostility that we haven’t seen for many, many years in the U.S.”

-Michelle Jones, National Content Desk

Shooter’s identity not confirmed

Updated 12:28 a.m. ET July 14 -- The suspected shooter’s identity and motivation have not been confirmed, an FBI spokesperson announced in a news conference just before midnight. The identities of the bystanders who were killed or injured also were not released.

Pennsylvania State Police Lt. Col. George Bivens said the investigation is ongoing, with “complicators” slowing down the identification of the shooter. Bivens did not elaborate on those, but did say that law enforcement is looking into other “occurrences.” Bivens said suspicious packages were found near the area where the suspected shooter was situated.

No members of law enforcement or Secret Service were injured during the shooting, he said. “We’re certainly grateful there were not more victims.”

Anyone with information about the shooting can leave a tip at FBI.gov.

-Michelle Jones, National Content Desk

Trump released from hospital

Updated 11:50 p.m. ET -- Trump has been released from a Pennsylvania medical facility and has left the state. According to CNN, Trump’s Secret Service protection was increased recently. It is not clear whether that was done in response to threats.

President Biden is returning to the White House from Delaware earlier than planned.

A news conference is planned for 11:45 p.m. ET.

-Michelle Jones, National Content Desk

‘AR-style rifle’

Updated 10:05 p.m. ET -- The weapon used by the suspected shooter, an “AR-style rifle,” was recovered at the scene. The gunman fired from an elevated position, a rooftop of an adjacent building.

The suspected shooter is described as a white male, New York Times reported. If his name is known by law enforcement, it has not been released.

-Michelle Jones, National Content Desk

RNC expected to begin Monday

Update 9:36 p.m. ET -- The Republican National Convention is expected to begin Monday as scheduled as the Department of Homeland Security assures the public that they are taking necessary steps to secure the safety of President Joe Biden and former President Trump.

In the few minutes after the shooting, the Biden campaign made the decision to suspend their advertising.

-Michelle Jones, National Content Desk

Trump: ‘shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear’

Update 8:56 p.m. ET -- In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump said he was “shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear.”

The full statement reads:

“I want to thank the United States Secret Service, and all of Law Enforcement, for their rapid response on the shooting that just took place in Butler, Pennsylvania. Most important, 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’s incredible that such an act can take place in our Country. 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 realized then what was happening. GOD BLESS AMERICA!”

-Michelle Jones, National Content Desk

Donald Trump Jr.: Father “is in great spirits”

Update 8:46 p.m. ET -- Trump’s oldest son, Donald Trump Jr., spoke to his father on the phone some time after 8 p.m., according to AP, and said, “he is in great spirits.”

-Michelle Jones, National Content Desk

Shooter was outside rally grounds

Update 8:41 p.m. ET -- Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger said the shooter was outside the grounds of the rally, possibly shooting from an adjacent building. CNN.com is reporting that multiple law enforcement sources have indicated that it was a sniper who fired the shots.

By 8:40 p.m. ET, the identity of the shooter was not known to the public.

-Michelle Jones, National Content Desk

Biden addresses nation

Update 8:20 p.m. ET - President Joe Biden addressed the American people in a press conference around 8:15 p.m. ET and said it appears Trump is “doing well.” He said every agency in the federal government would investigate the shootings.

In a statement issued shortly after events unfolded, Biden said, “I’m grateful to hear that he’s safe and doing well,” Biden said. “I’m praying for him and his family and for all those who were at the rally, as we wait for further information.”

Biden said he is trying to reach Trump, but has not been able to do so.

-Michelle Jones, National Content Desk

Investigated as assassination attempt

Update 8:05 p.m. ET - The Associated Press reported that today’s events in Pennsylvania are being investigated as an assassination attempt.

A visibly shaken spectator shared with CNN that he was standing next to the person who was killed.

“You don’t really anticipate this is going to happen. It happened,” he said. “There’s some people who really want (Trump) dead.”

-Michelle Jones, National Content Desk

Elon Musk endorses Trump

Update 7:51 p.m. - Billionaire Elon Musk issued his endorsement of Trump in the immediate aftermath of events.

“I fully endorse President Trump and I hope for his rapid recovery,” he said on his social media platform X.

-Michelle Jones, National Content Desk

Gunman, one spectator dead

Update 7:40 p.m. ET - Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger told WPXI that both the gunman and one spectator are dead. CNN has reported that another spectator is in serious condition. Federal law enforcement officers, including the FBI, have converged on the site.

Meanwhile, NYPD began fortifying the area around Trump Tower in New York City as well as other key New York City landmarks, such as City Hall, according to CNN.

-Michelle Jones, National Content Desk

50,000 in attendance at rally

Update 7:33 p.m. ET - Butler County Republican Party Chairman James E. Hulings estimated about 50,000 were in attendance at the rally. It is not known whether any spectators were hurt, according to New York Times.

“It’s such a tragedy. So many people were crying,” Hulings said.

Within minutes of hearing the news, many high-ranking elected officials from both parties expressed shock and support for President Trump.

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said there is no place for violence in American politics.

“My thoughts and prayers are with former President Trump. I am thankful for the decisive law enforcement response,” Jeffries said. “America is a democracy. Political violence of any kind is unacceptable.”

-Michelle Jones, National Content Desk

Original post: Around 6:10 p.m. ET, Trump had just started speaking when the sounds of gunshots were heard. Trump grabbed the right side of his head, crouched, and was quickly escorted from the stage. As he did so, the former president pumped his fist into the air, and blood could be seen on his face.

Shortly after events unfolded, President Joe Biden was leaving church and was asked if he had heard about the incident and responded, “No.” He has since returned to his Delaware home. The New York Times reported he has received his initial briefing.

A Secret Service spokesperson said Trump is safe after “an incident occurred.”

A Trump spokesperson said the former president is “fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility,” the Times reported.

This was the last rally before the Republican National Convention begins on Monday.

Check back for more on this developing story.

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