14 July 2024 , 13:14
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The sniper had positioned himself just feet away from the former president
The gunman who attempted to assassinate Donald Trump at a Pennsylvania rally on Saturday night and was quickly shot dead has been named.
Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, was "neutralised" by Secret Service snipers shortly after opening fire at the open-air event in Butler.
The shooter - pictured on a roof nearby - was killed by the Secret Service on Saturday night
Shooter Thomas Matthew Crooks was ’neutralised’ by snipers at the scene
Trump is rushed off the stage after the shooting
Secret Service dive to cover Trump on the stage
Trump drops to the stage to hide behind his podium after he was shotCredit: Getty
The site of the empty campaign rally after chaos unfoldedCredit: AP
Sniper officials stand on a roof at the rallyCredit: Reuters
Police snipers return fire after shots were fired at the rallyCredit: AP
Officials surround the body of the shooter on a roof nearby to where Donald Trump was addressing supporters
The crowded rally was held at the Butler Farm Show grounds, where Crooks perched nearby on a roof with perfect visuals of Trump as he addressed supporters from the stage.
Shocking video captured the moment some five gunshots rang out as Trump grabbed the side of his face before collapsing to the ground.
Blood was smeared across his ear as he rose from behind the podium and waved his fist in solidarity with the crowd.
A hoard of Secret Service agents rapidly closed in on the former president and whisked him away to safety as he mouthed "Fight, Fight, Fight!"
One audience member was killed in the attack and two critically injured. The victims have not yet been identified.
Shooter Crooks, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, is said to have positioned himself on top of a manufacturing plant roughly 200 feet outside the cordoned-off rally zone.
He was later shot dead by snipers who returned the gunfire from the roof of another building nearby.
Officers said they do not yet have a motive for the shooting but have confirmed it as an assassination attempt on the former President.
The FBI said Crooks did not have any ID on him at the time, with officials identifying him through his DNA.
An AR-15 was reportedly recovered near his body.
His dad, Matthew Crooks, told CNN he is trying to figure out “what the hell is going on” and plans to “wait until I talk to law enforcement” before speaking publicly about his son.
A spokesperson for the former president released a statement in the early hours: "President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act.
"He is fine and being checked out at a local medical facility. More details will follow."
Bethel Park is located about 40 miles south of where Saturday’s rally was held in Butler.
The airspace over the area has since been shut down "immediately" for security reasons.
Trump released a second statement to his social media platform, Truth Social, on Sunday morning.
He again thanked people for their thoughts and prayers and said "God alone" prevented "the unthinkable" from happening.
He wrote: "We will FEAR NOT, but instead remain resilient in our Faith and Defiant in the face of Wickedness."