Trump rally shooting suspect identified, motive unclear

Video posted by a Trump aide shows the former president landing in Newark, New Jersey Sunday morning.

The FBI confirmed early Sunday morning the attempted assassin was Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel, Pennsylvania.

As of 11:20 p.m. CT, former President Donald Trum’s plane landed in Newark. It’s likely he is headed to Bedminster as he’d originally planned, NewsNation’s Juan Anguiano reports.

Kevin Rojek, special agent in charge of FBI Pittsburgh Field Office, said that law enforcement is not “prepared” to identify the suspected shooter who killed at least one during a Trump rally Saturday.

“We are close to that identification. And as soon as we are 100% confident in who that individual is, we will share it with the press,” Rojek said. “With that being said, we also do not currently have an identified motive.”

There is no ongoing threat to the public or the president, according to Pennsylvania State Police Lt. Col. Bivens.

When asked whether the deceased suspect acted alone, Bivens said: “It will be some time until we can conclusively say or answer that question.”

FBI asks anyone with information call the tip line: 1-800-CALL-FBI.

All three adult victims are males and have been identified, but law enforcement will not release their names until extended family notification has finished.

Where the victims were seated at the rally has not been revealed, but officials say the bullets were “scattered.”

Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Tex., said his nephew was grazed in the neck by a bullet while attending the rally.

The Butler Township Police Department will host State Police Lt. Col. Bivens, members of the FBI and Secret Service agents at for 11:45 p.m. ET.

Two people who were shot at the Trump rally remain hospitalized in “critical condition” at Allegheny General Hospital, according to a VP Corporate Communications official.

“Under the protection of US Secret Service and with the assistance of the Pennsylvania State Police, former President Trump has now left the Butler area,” Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro shared on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Shapiro thanked the law enforcement and federal officials who handled the immediate aftermath of the shooting.

According to Shapiro, Pennsylvania State Police will lead the investigation for the other victims shot on Saturday, while the FBI handles Trump’s investigation.

“As we wait to learn more from the investigations, I am mindful of just how painful and shocking this event is to so many of our fellow Pennsylvanians. I respectfully ask that we treat our fellow Americans with respect and join together to universally condemn the unacceptable violence we witnessed earlier today in Butler,” the post said.

New York congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez denounced the shooting on X, formerly known as Twitter.

” There is no place for political violence, including the horrific incident we just witnessed in Pennsylvania … My heart goes out to all the victims and I wish the former President a speedy recovery,” the post reads.

House Speaker Mike Johnson said the House will conduct an investigation regarding Saturday’s shooting.

“We will have Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle and other appropriate officials from DHS and the FBI appear for a hearing before our committees ASAP,” Johnson shared on X, formerly known as Twitter.

President Joe Biden called Trump after multiple gun shots brought his campaign rally to a screeching halt, White House officials tell NewsNation.

Biden also spoke to Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Butler Mayor Bob Dandoy.

The president returns to the White House late Saturday and expects to received an updated briefing from law enforcement and homeland security on Sunday.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation announced it will be the lead agency investigating the the fatal shooting, adding that Pittsburgh Field Office agents responded immediately during the chaos.

“We will continue to support this investigation with the full resources of the FBI, alongside our partners at the U.S. Secret Service and state and local law enforcement,” the agency said in a release.

FBI asks anyone with information call the tip line: 1-800-CALL-FBI.

Easton Smith, who was outside of the security perimeter at the rally, said he saw a man climbing up the roof of a nearby building.

“Didn’t know what he was doing, trying to alert cops and police there was a guy crawling on the roof,” Smith said. “Then we saw a rifle slinged over his shoulder. After that, a couple shots fired off.”

Campaign officials confirmed that Trump will still attend the upcoming Republican National Convention, which begins on Monday, July 15.

In a statement, the campaign said Republicans will “proceed with our convention to nominate him to serve as the 47th President of the United States.”

A map shows the area where Trump’s Pennsylvania rally was held, including the location of the suspected shooter.

Witnesses told media outlets they saw the suspected shooter on a roof outside the Trump rally in Pennsylvania where one attendee was killed and two were critically injured. The former president was shot in the ear and was treated at a local hospital.

The suspected shooter was killed by the Secret Service.

The chair of the House Oversight Committee has called for a briefing following a shooting at a Trump rally and said the committee will call U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle for a hearing.

“The entire Department of Defense condemns this violence, which has absolutely no place in our democracy. This is not the way that we resolve our differences in America—and it must never be. I’m relieved that reports indicate former President Trump is safe, and I am praying for him and his family and everyone affected by this appalling incident,” said Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, Jr.

“During Former President Trump’s campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on the evening of July 13 at approximately 6:15 p.m., a suspected shooter fired multiple shots toward the stage from an elevated position outside of the rally venue. U.S. Secret Service personnel neutralized the shooter, who is now deceased. U.S. Secret Service quickly responded with protective measures and Former President Trump is safe. One spectator was killed, and two spectators were critically injured. This incident is currently under investigation. and the Secret Service has notified the FBI,” said Secret Service Chief of Communications Anthony Guglielmi.

The former president, who was whisked away from the stage by Secret Service agents following a shooting at his Butler, Pa. rally Sunday, posted on Truth Social after receiving medical treatment for an apparent injury. See the text of his post below:

“I 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!”

“Violence has no place in America, especially in our political process. Hillary and I are thankful that President Trump is safe, heartbroken for all those affected by the attack at today’s rally in Pennsylvania, and grateful for the swift action of the U.S. Secret Service,” Clinton said.

“I went through this with my own family. I was with my dad… I know the implications to this country probably as well as anybody does,” Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., said.

His father, Robert F. Kennedy, was assassinated in a Los Angeles hotel in 1968 as he was campaigning for the presidency.

The Vice President said in a statement;

I have been briefed on the shooting at former President Trump’s event in Pennsylvania.

Doug and I are relieved that he is not seriously injured. We are praying for him, his family, and all those who have been injured and impacted by this senseless shooting.

We are grateful to the United States Secret Service, first responders, and local authorities for their immediate action.

Violence such as this has no place in our nation. We must all condemn this abhorrent act and do our part to ensure that it does not lead to more violence

NewsNation’s Robert Sherman describes the reactions from the crowd after shots were fired at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania.

“FBI personnel are on the scene in Butler, Pennsylvania and the FBI will continue to work jointly with the U.S. Secret Service as the investigation moves forward,” the agency said in a statement

President Joe Biden addressed the nation following a shooting at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania that led to the former president being rushed off stage.

“There’s no place in America for this kind of violence,” Biden said.

The president strongly condemned the attack and said he it appears Trump is doing well and that more updates would be provided as information becomes available.

The suspected shooter at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania was killed by a Secret Service counterassault team, the Associated Press reports.

The U.S. Secret Service spokesperson said on X: “An incident occurred the evening of July 13 at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania. The Secret Service has implemented protective measures and the former President is safe. This is now an active Secret Service investigation and further information will be released when available.”

NewsNation’s Blake Burman on the Secret Service response during the Trump rally: