A gunman shot at former President Donald Trump on Saturday evening at the Butler Farm Show grounds, killing one spectator and critically injuring two others before being killed, according to the Secret Service.
The former president, who later said on social media that a bullet pierced the upper part of his right ear, reached for his ear after the shooting began about 6:15 p.m. and then ducked behind the podium in front of him before being swarmed by Secret Service agents.
When Trump emerged from behind the podium, surrounded by Secret Service agents, blood could be seen on his face as he defiantly pumped his fist in the air as he was led to an awaiting SUV.
In a news conference that began shortly before midnight, authorities said they were investigating the incident as an assassination attempt. Early Sunday morning, the FBI identified the suspected gunman as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park.
He does not appear to have a criminal history, according to public court records. Crooks appears to have graduated in 2022 from Bethel Park High School. He received a $500 “star award” that same year from the National Math and Science Initiative.
Trump’s campaign said in a statement after the shooting that the former president was “fine” after being whisked off the stage at the rally in Butler Township after the gunshots rang out through the crowd.
“President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act,” spokesman Steven Cheung said in a statement. “He is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility. More details will follow.”
Anthony Guglielmi, Secret Service chief of communications, said that “a suspected shooter fired multiple shots toward the stage from an elevated position outside the rally venue. U.S. Secret Service personnel neutralized the shooter, who is now deceased. U.S. Secret Service quickly responded with protective measures and the former president is safe and being evaluated. One spectator was killed, and two spectators were critically injured.”
The FBI said late Saturday that it has “assumed the lead federal law enforcement agency” in the case. It asked with anyone with information to call the FBI tip line at 1-800-CALLFBI (1-800-225-5324).
Two officials said the heavily armed tactical team travels everywhere with the president and major party nominees and is meant to confront any active threats while other agents focus on safeguarding and evacuating the person at the center of protection.
“I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear,” Trump wrote, in part, on Truth Social, his social media platform. “I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin.”
The attack was the first attempt to assassinate a president or presidential candidate since Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981. It comes amid a deeply polarized political atmosphere, just four months from the presidential elections and days before Trump is to be officially named the Republican nominee at his party’s convention.
Butler County District Attorney Richard A. Goldinger told CNN the shooter was outside the rally grounds, but he didn’t give additional information about where.
“Quite frankly I don’t know how he would have gotten to the location where he was, but he was outside the grounds, and I think that’s something that we’re going to have to figure out — how he got there,” Goldinger told CNN.
The scene in Butler Township quickly turned chaotic, with authorities working to rush people out of the area.
Many people could be seen crying, while others appeared to be confused as they tried to understand what had just happened.
Within 40 minutes, at least two medical helicopters touched down and took off from close to the event stage.
Former Republican congressional and U.S. Senate candidate Sean Parnell, a combat veteran, said he was 15 to 20 feet away from two people wounded in the incident.
“It seems they were hurt pretty badly,” Parnell said while being led out of the area.
When asked how he felt, Parnell said, “The same as I felt in Afghanistan. I just want to make sure everyone gets out OK.”
Witnesses give their accounts
It was only seconds after the gunfire that Leechburg brothers Eli and Nick Sherbondy realized the severity of the incident.
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“The first thing I thought was that someone was being the biggest idiot in the world, setting off firecrackers,” said Eli, 19.
“It took me a second to realize it was a handgun or a low-powered rifle.
“Everyone started yelling, ‘Gun! Gun!,’ and the Secret Service was yelling at the crowd to get down.”
The Sherbondys were set up about 250 yards from the stage, near a chain link fence. They heard “four or five pops” coming from outside the rally perimeter.
“The Secret Service was on top of it in a second,” said Nick, 17, a senior at Leechburg Area High School.
“There were snipers on top of the two buildings behind Trump and they shot (the suspect) instantly. It was insane.
“You would never expect that at something so local.”
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At the orders of Secret Service, the crowd fell to the ground and remained there for about three minutes.
Dave Fellabaum, executive director of information systems for TribLive, arrived slightly late to the rally at about 5 p.m. and was positioned a good distance from the stage.
“I heard a pop and saw what looked like water gushing out toward everyone,” Fellabaum said.
Turns out, a shot hit a hydraulic line.
As Trump crumpled to the stage, Fellabaum set his sights on the snipers positioned on two buildings behind the former president.
“The one over Trump’s left shoulder, he took three shots at the suspect,” Fellabaum said. “It wasn’t loud like you might think. His weapon was quiet.
“As soon as I saw that, everyone in front of us started dropping to the ground. Next thing I heard was people starting to chant ‘USA’ when Trump got up and fist-pumped.”
“I knew they were going to try to do it,” a crying Teresa Culson of Grove City said moments after incident. They will do anything to stop him from winning.”
“It is appalling to see what they’ve done to (Trump),” added Lolu Rose, 55, of Weirton, W.Va. “I pray for him.”
Trump had been showing off a chart of border crossing numbers when bangs started ringing through the crowd.
He quickly ducked as agents from his protective detail rushed the stage and screams rang out from the crowd.
The crowd cheered as he got back up and pumped his fist.
His motorcade quickly left the venue.
Saturday night, President Joe Biden posted a statement on the X social media platform.
“I have been briefed on the shooting at Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania,” Biden said in the statement. “I’m grateful to hear that he’s safe and doing well. I’m praying for him and his family and for all those who were at the rally, as we await further information. Jill and I are grateful to the Secret Service for getting him to safety. There’s no place for this kind of violence in America. We must unite as one nation to condemn it.”
Trump added to his Truth Social post:
“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 importantly, 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 is 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!”
Ryan Deto is a TribLive reporter covering politics, Pittsburgh and Allegheny County news. A native of California’s Bay Area, he joined the Trib in 2022 after spending more than six years covering Pittsburgh at the Pittsburgh City Paper, including serving as managing editor. He can be reached at rdeto@triblive.com.