Butler, US
A video going viral on social media shows the alleged shooter who attempted to assassinate former US President Donald Trump lying motionless on the roof of a building.
The man could be seen sporting a grey camouflage and was found on the building of AGR International Inc., a manufacturing plant just north of the Butler Farm Show grounds where Trump’s rally was held.
According to a report in The Associated Press, an AR-style rifle was recovered at the scene. Videos and photos from the scene of the Trump rally, as well as satellite imagery, showed that the shooter was able to get astonishingly close to the stage where the former president was speaking.
The shooter fired multiple rounds and managed to graze Trump's right ear. The 78-year-old former president was rushed off stage with blood smeared across his face after the shooting.
Disclaimer: WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of the below media.
The Shooter at the Trump Rally in Pennsylvania can be seen Dead on the Roof of a nearby Building, after being Killed by U.S. Secret Service Agents. pic.twitter.com/6eUpiqfCeL
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) July 13, 2024
Footage of Donald Trump’s shooter Thomas Matthew Crooks opening fire and then getting killed seconds later surfaces pic.twitter.com/2ctMtIkwUs
— Kollege Kidd Media (@KKMediaTingz) July 14, 2024
BBC interviewed a Trump supporter immediately after the attack who stated that he saw a man carrying a rifle climb onto the roof of a building.
The man said he pointed out the building in question to police and remarked, “There’s a guy on the roof with a rifle.” But none of the police reacted, and about two minutes later, the man fired five or so shots toward Trump.
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US Secret Service statement
According to the US Secret Service, "multiple shots" were fired towards the Republican leader from an elevated position outside the rally venue, which matches the description of the viral video. The shooter was later 'neutralised' by the security outfit.
"During former President Trump's campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on the evening of July 13th at approximately 6:15 p.m., a suspected shooter fired multiple shots toward the stage from an elevated position outside of the rally venue," said the Secret Service.
"US Secret Service quickly responded with protective measures and the former president is safe and being evaluated."
While Trump escaped relatively unscathed, one spectator was killed and two others were critically wounded. The shooter's identity was later revealed as Thomas Mathew Crooks.
(With inputs from agencies)