On July 13, 2024, a campaign rally for former President Donald Trump took place at the Butler Farm Show grounds in Butler, Pennsylvania. The event was a significant gathering, drawing many of Trump’s supporters eager to hear him speak as part of his campaign activities for the upcoming presidential election.
The rally began like many others, with Trump addressing his supporters, emphasizing his political agenda and vision for the future. However, the atmosphere took a dramatic turn when gunshots rang out from an elevated position. Eyewitnesses initially mistook the sounds for firecrackers or a speaker malfunction, but it quickly became apparent that it was an assassination attempt.
The shooter, positioned on the roof of a nearby building, fired multiple shots. Trump was hit in the right ear, causing him to grab his ear and go to the ground as Secret Service agents swiftly surrounded him. Despite the chaos, Trump reemerged moments later with a bloodied face, raising his arm defiantly and urging his supporters to “fight.”
In the ensuing pandemonium, one person was killed, and two others were critically injured. Law enforcement responded rapidly, and the shooter was killed at the scene. Witnesses described the scene as chaotic and frightening. Brandon Christie, a rally attendee, recounted how he initially thought the gunshot sounds were from a malfunctioning speaker. He quickly realized the severity of the situation when people started screaming. Christie and his relatives ducked to the ground as a Secret Service agent fired back at the shooter.
Slippery Rock Mayor Jondavid Longo, who was on stage during the incident, described the sudden shift in the rally’s atmosphere from excitement to sheer panic. He emphasized the vitriol and hate that seemed to fuel such an attack, expressing sorrow that political divisions had escalated to violence.
Other witnesses shared similar accounts of confusion and fear. One woman recounted how she huddled and prayed with those around her, trying to comfort a fellow attendee who was crying. A delegate close to Trump during the shooting initially hoped the noise was a joke or fireworks, only to realize it was gunfire when Secret Service agents tackled Trump to the ground.
Another man at the rally described seeing the shooter before the shots were fired. He and others alerted law enforcement, pointing out the man crawling on the roof with a rifle. Despite their warnings, the shooting occurred, and law enforcement subsequently killed the shooter. Eyewitnesses expressed frustration and disbelief at the lack of security on the surrounding rooftops.
An emergency room doctor at the rally attempted to save one of the victims, performing CPR on a person who had suffered a head wound. The doctor described the scene as horrific, with blood and brain matter present.
Trump’s response to the incident was defiant. After being helped by the Secret Service, he stood up with a bloodied face and encouraged his supporters to stay strong. The image of Trump with blood on his face became a powerful symbol for his supporters, underscoring his resilience and determination.
The assassination attempt highlighted the deep political divisions and tensions in the United States. While some attendees expressed increased support for Trump in the aftermath, others voiced concerns about the potential for further violence and division. The incident served as a stark reminder of the dangers of political extremism and the need for increased security and unity in the face of such threats.
#Trump survives an assassination attempt in his rally.
— BuzzWee (@The_buzzwee) July 14, 2024
Man, who fired shots was later killed by Law Enforcement.
Read in detail at: https://t.co/srxH1k0DAW pic.twitter.com/Ti3k8GfNxL
The suspect who fired at Donald Trump during his PA event was identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks.
Twenty-year-old Crooks was from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, approximately forty miles south of the Butler protest.
It was reported that an AR-15 was found at the location.
Apparently, Crooks attempted to assassinate the previous president and was shot in the head.
