Assassination Attempt on Former President Donald Trump (Video)

Former President Donald Trump narrowly escaped an assassination attempt at a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday, just days before he was set to accept the Republican nomination for a third time. A sudden barrage of gunfire caused panic among the crowd, and Trump, who reported being shot in the ear, was quickly surrounded by Secret Service agents and rushed to his SUV, displaying his characteristic defiance with a fist pump.

Trump’s campaign confirmed that the presumptive GOP nominee was “fine” following the incident, although the bullet grazed the upper part of his right ear. “I knew immediately that something was wrong. I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and then felt the bullet rip through the skin. There was a lot of bleeding,” he wrote on his social media platform.

Early Sunday, the FBI identified Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, as the suspect. The investigation remains active and ongoing, the agency stated.

Tragically, one attendee was killed, and two others were critically injured. The Secret Service reported that the suspected shooter, who fired from an elevated position outside the rally venue at a farm show in Butler, Pennsylvania, was neutralized, ensuring Trump’s safety.

During a press conference on Saturday night, the FBI revealed they had not yet determined a motive for the attack. This incident marks the most severe attempt on a presidential figure since Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981, raising concerns about political violence in a deeply divided U.S., less than four months before the presidential election. Despite the attack, organizers confirmed that the Republican National Convention, set to begin Monday in Milwaukee, would proceed as planned.

ALSO SEE: John Cena Announces Retirement from WWE: A Farewell to a Wrestling Icon

After receiving treatment at a local hospital in Pennsylvania, Trump flew to New Jersey, landing at Newark Liberty International Airport shortly after midnight. Video footage showed Trump deplaning his private jet, flanked by Secret Service agents and heavily armed members of the agency’s counterassault team—a rare display of force.

President Joe Biden, who is running against Trump, was briefed on the incident and later spoke with Trump. “There’s no place in America for this type of violence. It’s sick. It’s sick,” Biden said publicly, cutting short his weekend at his beach home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, to return to Washington.

Republicans quickly blamed the violence on Biden and his allies, citing his recent comment to donors about putting Trump “in the bullseye” as contributing to a toxic environment. In the days to come, attention will likely focus on the shooter and potential security lapses. Officials stated that the shooter, who was not an attendee at the rally, was killed by Secret Service agents who engaged him from the counterassault team, designed to confront active threats while other agents protect and evacuate the individual under their care.

An AR-style rifle was recovered at the scene. Analysis of videos and photos revealed that the shooter had positioned himself alarmingly close to the stage. Law enforcement is investigating how the shooter managed to open fire before being stopped by the Secret Service.

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, whose department oversees the Secret Service, assured that every measure is being taken to ensure the safety and security of both Biden and Trump’s campaigns.

A Rally Disrupted by Gunfire

The shooting began just after 6:10 p.m., as Trump was showing off a chart of border crossing numbers. Within two minutes of the first shot, Trump was safely in his waiting SUV. The former president, upon hearing the first pop and feeling the impact, grabbed his ear and crouched down as more shots rang out. Secret Service agents quickly surrounded him, following their training protocol, while other agents searched for the threat.

The crowd, initially startled by the noise, soon realized the severity of the situation. One witness, Dave McCormick, a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania, described the chaos as people hit the ground and first responders worked to assist the injured.

Reporters at the scene described hearing multiple shots and taking cover. As it became clear that Trump would not return to speak, attendees began to leave, with some helping those injured or stuck in the crowd.

Political Violence Again Shakes America

This incident echoes past political violence, such as the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy in 1968 and the shooting of George Wallace in 1972. The attack underscores the continuing dangers faced by political figures in the U.S., especially in a highly polarized climate.

President Biden, briefed on the situation, expressed his concern for Trump’s well-being and condemned the violence. Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., posted a photo of his father with a bloodied face and a raised fist, symbolizing his determination to “Save America.”

Statements of concern and support poured in from various political figures, emphasizing the need for heightened security and a unified stance against political violence.

WATCH VIDEO BELOW