Official portrait of President Donald J. Trump, Friday, October 6, 2017. (Official White House photo by Shealah Craighead)

BUTLER, Pa. – During former President Trump’s campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on the evening of July 13, 2024, at approximately 6:15 p.m., a suspected shooter fired multiple shots toward the stage from an elevated position outside of the rally venue.

US Secret Service personnel neutralized the shooter, who is now dead. US 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. Trump was struck in the ear and transported to a local hospital for treatment.

As Trump was escorted off the stage, blood was visible on his right ear, and he was seen mouthing “fight” while pumping his fist.

Authorities have identified a 20-year-old man from Pennsylvania as the suspected gunman in the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump. The FBI announced early Sunday that the suspect, Thomas Matthew Crooks from Bethel Park, was killed at the scene.

The incident is currently under investigation and the Secret Service has formally notified the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Former President Trump released the following statement this evening: โ€œI 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!โ€ 

President Biden released the following statement shortly after: โ€œI have been briefed on the shooting at Donald Trumpโ€™s rally in Pennsylvania. Iโ€™m grateful to hear that heโ€™s safe and doing well. Iโ€™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. Thereโ€™s no place for this kind of violence in America. We must unite as one nation to condemn it.โ€

Governor Wes Moore said, “Political violence is unacceptable and against what our country stands for. This kind of cowardice must be roundly condemned by all Americans. What happened today to President Trump is abhorrent and should never be tolerated. Ever.โ€

Ivanka Trump released the following: โ€œThank you for your love and prayers for my father and for the other victims of today’s senseless violence in Butler, Pennsylvania. I am grateful to the Secret Service and all the other law enforcement officers for their quick and decisive actions today. I continue to pray for our country. I love you Dad, today and always.โ€

Contact our news desk at news@thebaynet.com 

JB is a local journalist and the Senior News Producer at The BayNet, delivering sharp, on-the-ground reporting across Southern Maryland. From breaking news and public safety to community voices and fundraising,...

Join the Conversation

11 Comments

    1. Donโ€™t “both sides” the “violent political rhetoric” conversation when one side regularly glorifies and intimidates with guns and the other side speaks out to end gun violence. THESE ARE NOT THE SAME.

  1. Trump is a Super Hero. You can’t bring this man. He’s the most resilient person anyone has ever seen.

  2. Trump is a bad mamaja. These Demoncrats have tried everything. Kinda funny. They don’t want peace nor democracy. They operate off fear, turmoil, hate, greed, and always lies.

    1. Everything the Democrats throw at THE Greatest President EVER is falling apart. They can’t touch him.

  3. lets be shocked by what we shoul,d be shocked by, . do you see a guy up there where the guy, up there, he has a gun. He does? yeah, I see him. Wow, how’d he get there?

    1. He walked from a parking lot with an AR-15 to a building being used a command center for secret service and local police. Climbed to the unmanned rooftop with an AR-15 strapped to his back, crawled to the edge then fired multiple shots before secret service took any action. Police and secret service knew he was on the roof with a gun.

  4. has someone asked this? Is someone willing to ask this? Was there more than 1 (shooter) and was there a standdown?

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *