Donald Trump Survives Assassination Attempt at Campaign Rally in Pennsylvania

Former US President Donald Trump narrowly escaped an assassination attempt during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The assailant, identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, fired shots from a manufacturing plant roof over 130 yards away from Trump’s stage.

The shots injured Trump, grazing his ear, and tragically claimed the life of an innocent bystander while critically wounding two others.

Following the incident, the Secret Service counter-sniper team swiftly neutralized Crooks with a headshot, as captured on video. Trump, visibly in pain, turned to the crowd, defiantly raising his fist in a powerful display.

Describing the ordeal on Truth Social, Trump recounted the moment the bullet pierced his ear, expressing the whizzing sound and searing pain that ensued.

Authorities, including the FBI, are investigating Crooks’ motive behind the attempted assassination. Pennsylvania State Police Lt. Col. George Bevins stated that the shooting is being treated as an attempted assassination, with ongoing leads to determine if Crooks acted alone.

Questions have surfaced about the security measures at the rally, prompting an investigation into the Secret Service’s protocols by House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer. The secure open-air venue raised concerns about vulnerabilities and the need for enhanced protection of public figures like Trump.