Trump survives assassination attempt; FBI identifies shooter, victim's name released. Here's what we know.

Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pa., identified as alleged assailant by FBI. Corey Comperatore, 50, was also killed in the attack.

 

Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt Saturday night after a shooter opened fire at his campaign rally near Butler, Pa.

Trump sustained an injury to his right ear in the attack and was pictured with blood running down the side of his face, but his campaign soon after declared that he was "fine."

The FBI identified the suspected shooter as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20. The Secret Service said he had been killed in the attack. Authorities have yet to establish a motive for the attack.

A man killed during the rally was identified as Corey Comperatore, 50. Two others — David Dutch, 57, of New Kensington, Pa., and James Copenhaver, 74, of Moon Township, Pa. — were admitted to the hospital for gunshot injuries but were in stable condition as of Sunday, according to the Pennsylvania State Police.

Here's what we know about the shooting.

Donald Trump is surrounded by Secret Service agents at a campaign rally.
Former President Donald Trump is surrounded by Secret Service agents at a campaign rally. (Evan Vucci/AP)

Trump was rushed to a nearby hospital, and his campaign released a statement shortly afterward saying he was “fine.”

On Truth Social, Trump’s social media platform, the former president later said he 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.”

On Sunday, Trump released another statement thanking people for their well wishes: "Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and prayers yesterday, as it was God alone who prevented the unthinkable from happening. We will FEAR NOT, but instead remain resilient in our Faith and Defiant in the face of Wickedness."

Trump also said he looked forward to addressing the country at the Republican National Convention later this week.

A gunman opened fire during Trump’s rally Saturday night near Butler, in western Pennsylvania, at approximately 6:15 p.m. ET, shortly after the former president took the stage.

In video of the incident, multiple popping sounds can be heard before Trump grabs his right ear. Secret Service agents quickly rushed the stage, collapsing on top of Trump in a protective manner. After a few moments, someone is heard saying "shooter down,” and the Secret Service agents let Trump stand up. The presumptive Republican presidential nominee can be seen bleeding from the area around his right ear and can be heard asking Secret Service agents to get his shoes as they start to whisk him away to his convoy. Trump also raises his fist defiantly to the crowd.

In a news conference late Saturday night, Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Kevin Rojek labeled the attack an “assassination attempt.”

The Secret Service, which is charged with protecting presidents, former presidents, and candidates for the office, described the incident as the following:

The FBI released a statement early Sunday morning identifying the shooter as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pa. Authorities raided his home Sunday.

The alleged gunman, Crooks, was killed by the Secret Service. A male audience member identified Sunday as Comperatore also died in the attack. Attendees Dutch and Copenhaver were also shot and admitted to the hospital, but were stable as of Sunday afternoon. Trump was also grazed and bled from his ear, but said he was "fine."

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro praised Comperatore as a hero during a Sunday news conference. The victim's sister also hailed him as a hero on Facebook.

"The hatred for one man took the life of the one man we loved the most," Dawn Comperatore Schafer wrote. "He was a hero that shielded his daughters. His wife and girls just lived through the unthinkable and unimaginable. My baby brother just turned 50 and had so much life left to experience. Hatred has no limits and love has no bounds. Pray for my sister-in-law, nieces, my mother, sister, me and his nieces and nephews as this feels like a terrible nightmare but we know it is our painful reality."

While the investigation is still ongoing, Pennsylvania State Police Lt. Col. George Bivens said there is "no reason to believe that there is any other existing threat out there." Investigators said late Saturday that they will continue to try to determine whether the suspect acted alone.

FBI and Pennsylvania officials will continue their investigation jointly, with the FBI leading up the inquiry and local authorities handling the homicide and injuries to the rally attendees.

Rojek said they continue to pursue a motive for the shooting, as well. Officials labeled the location an “active crime scene.”

Law enforcement is also encouraging anyone at the rally or anyone who has any information about the incident to come forward.

As for Trump, he is set to address the country Thursday night when he formally accepts the Republican Party's nomination for president in Milwaukee.

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  • Biden says he’s grateful Trump is safe after rally shooting, denounces political violence. “‘It’s sick,’ the president added.” [CNN]

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