Donald Trump , former U.S. President and current Republican presidential candidate was injured in an assassination attempt during a campaign rally. He was dramatically escorted off stage by U.S. Secret Service members after gunshots rang out in Butler, Pennsylvania on Saturday.
A suspected gunman and one audience member are dead, the AP reported, citing Butler County district attorney Richard Goldinger. Another spectator is in a serious condition.
According to Reuters, “in the moments after the shooting, Trump was swarmed and covered up by his security agents. He quickly emerged from the scrum, his face streaked with blood, and pumped his fist in the air, mouthing the words “Fight! Fight! Fight!”.
Early on Sunday the FBI identified 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, as the “subject involved” in what it termed an attempted assassination. He was a registered Republican, according to state voter records.
The suspect was shot dead by Secret Service agents, the agency said, after he opened fire from the roof of a building about 140 metres from the stage where Trump was speaking. An AR-15-style semiautomatic rifle was recovered near his body.”
The Trump campaign said in a statement on Saturday evening that Trump was “fine” and that he is “being checked out at a local medical facility.”
Donald Trump Jr. also told ABC News that his father is “in good spirits” as he remains under medical observation.
President Joe Biden denounced the violence during remarks on Saturday night and said in a statement earlier that he’s “grateful” Trump is safe.