Donald Trump Assassination Attempt, Suspect Shot Dead By Secret Service. Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania turned chaotic following an assassination attempt that left the former US president bleeding from his ear. The incident left a bystander dead, and two others critically injured. The suspected gunman, identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, was shot dead by the US Secret Service officers.
Trump highlighted in a post on his Truth Social network that a bullet pierced the upper part of his right ear. He said he knew something was wrong when he heard a whizzing sound and shots and felt the bullet ripping through his skin.
Following the incident, the US Secret Service officers dragged Trump, who was visibly bleeding, off the stage and bundled him into a car. But before that Trump pumped his fist into the air to show his supporters he was alright.
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Attempted Assassination on Donald Trump
Kevin Rojek, special agent in charge of the FBI Pittsburgh office, said authorities are investigating the shooting as an ‘attempted assassination’. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is leading the probe with the Secret Service.
Rojek expressed surprise that the 20-year-old gunman was able to fire multiple shots. Refusing to give more detail about the shooting, he said they found numerous suspicious packages around where the shooter was.
The FBI and Secret Service deployed bomb assets as a cautionary measure. The special agent said investigators are tracking down all leads, doing interviews and tracking suspicious locations, vehicles related to the incident.
Anthony Guglielmi, Secret Service spokesperson, said the Secret Service implemented protective measures and the former president is safe. He highlighted that on the evening of July 13 at 6:15 p.m., a suspected shooter fired multiple shots toward the stage from an elevated position outside of the rally venue. Guglielmi said the Secret Service personnel neutralized the shooter, one spectator was killed and two others critically injured. The Trump campaign denounced the incident as a heinous act.