LAST UPDATE | 14 Jul
DONALD TRUMP HAS released a new statement this morning in America and has called on Americans to “unite” and not allow “evil to win”.
Several shots were fired towards the former US president before he was rushed off stage by Secret Service agents bleeding from his ear.
Trump’s campaign said the presumptive Republican nominee was doing “fine” after the incident.
Tonight President Joe Biden said that he has ordered an independent review of security measures after the assassination attempt. He will address the nation from the Oval Office and said “we must unite as one nation”.
He has also directed that all resources be made available to the Trump campaign to protect the candidate and also ordered a review of security for the Republican Convention starting tomorrow.
In a statement, the FBI named 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania as “the subject involved in the assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump”.
“This remains an active and ongoing investigation, and anyone with information that may assist with the investigation is encouraged to submit photos or videos online,” the statement added.
The gunman was shot dead at the scene.
Two people were also injured, one of them fatally in the crowd. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro named the dead man as Corey Comperatore. He was a father of two girls and a firefighter.
US media are reporting that bomb making equipment was found in a search of the suspects’ vehicle.
In a statement on his own social media platform, Truth Social, Trump cut a religious tone.
“Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and prayers yesterday, as it was God alone who prevented the unthinkable from happening.
“We will fear not, but instead remain resilient in our faith and defiant in the face of wickedness.
“Our love goes out to the other victims and their families. We pray for the recovery of those who were wounded, and hold in our hearts the memory of the citizen who was so horribly killed.
“In this moment, it is more important than ever that we stand united, and show our true character as Americans, remaining strong and determined, and not allowing evil to win.
“I truly love our country, and love you all, and look forward to speaking to our great nation this week from Wisconsin. DJT,” the post read.
The US Secret Service has confirmed that one person in the crowd was killed and two people were critically injured after an attacker fired “multiple shots”.
They said the shooter fired from “an elevated position outside of the rally venue” and that the FBI has taken over the investigation.
Speaking during a press conference, Kevin Rojek, special agent in charge of FBI Pittsburgh field office, said: “This evening, we had what we are calling an assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump.
“It’s still an active crime scene. As I mentioned, we have a number of agents on scene. We also are working closely with other federal agencies, our state partners and our local police partners as well.”
Questions have been raised about how the gunman was able to open fire on the stage before he was shot dead. Rojek said “it is surprising” that he was able to fire several shots.
When asked about security, he said the Secret Service “needs to answer that question.”
The Oversight Committee, the main investigative board of the US House of Representatives, has invited Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle to testify at a hearing on 22 July.
In a statement shared on X, the committee said it had also initiated an investigation into the assassination attempt. The statement was accompanied by a letter to Cheatle inviting her to appear, signed by chairman of the House, James Comer.
🚨BREAKING🚨@RepJamesComer has invited U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle to testify at a hearing on Monday, July 22.
— Oversight Committee (@GOPoversight) July 14, 2024
Americans demand answers about the assassination attempt of President Trump. pic.twitter.com/zKia2oIxCf
“Americans demand answers about the assassination attempt of President Trump,” the statement read.
Anthony Guglielmi, the communications chief for the Secret Service, has denied a claim that it refused a request from a member of Trump’s team for additional security resources.
“This is absolutely false. In fact, we added protective resources & technology and capabilities as part of the increased campaign travel tempo,” he wrote on X.
Trump was treated at a local Pennsylvania hospital in the aftermath of the incident. He has since returned to his home in New Jersey.
Writing on his Truth Social platform after the incident, Trump said he 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,” he said.
“Much bleeding took place, so I realised then what was happening.”
Strong and resilient. He will never stop fighting for America. pic.twitter.com/B9yR3SLQJV
— Margo Martin (@margommartin) July 14, 2024
Trump’s wife Melania has called on US citizens to unite also
“Let us reunite. Now. This morning, ascend above the hate, the vitriol, and the simple-minded ideas that ignite violence. We all want a world where respect is paramount, family is first, and love transcends,” she said.
She described the shooter as a “monster” who recognised her husband as an “inhuman political machine.
Trump’s campaign said he would still attend a planned Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, after he was reported to have had a precautionary hospital checkup.
There has been widespread condemnation of the attack from across the political spectrum.
US President Joe Biden said “everybody must condemn” the incident, adding that he hoped to speak with his 2024 presidential rival soon.
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