The Courier-Journal (Louisville)
What happened in Pennsylvania?
An investigation continues into the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on Saturday, in which one attendee was shot and killed and two others seriously injured. ● The gunman was shot and killed by Secret Service agents. The FBI later identified him as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, about 40 miles south of Butler. His motive is not yet known. ● Many details are unconfirmed, but Trump was grazed in his upper right ear by a bullet before Secret Service agents hustled him off the stage and into a limousine. He was reported to be otherwise unharmed. ● The gunman, who is believed to have acted alone, fired at the rally stage from a building rooftop about 400 yards away, outside the rally’s security perimeter. Agents recovered an AR-style rifle from the scene.
All times are EDT
● 1 p.m.: The Butler Farm Show, site of the rally, opens its doors to attendees. Trump is scheduled to speak at 5 p.m.
● 6:03 p.m.: Trump takes the stage and greets the crowd as the Lee Greenwood song “God Bless the USA” plays.
● 6:05 p.m.: The song ends, and Trump begins speaking.
● 6:11 p.m.: While Trump is speaking, multiple shots are fired toward the stage. Videos show Trump grabbing his right ear, looking at his hand and dropping to the ground behind the podium. People can be heard saying, “Shots shots shots.”
● 6:12 p.m.: Secret Service agents jump on top of Trump and escort him off stage and into a vehicle. Trump gives a thumbs up as he leaves.
● 6:14 p.m.: Trump’s motorcade leaves the fairgrounds surrounded by law enforcement vehicles.
● 6:42 p.m.: The Secret Service issues a statement confirming “an incident” took place at the rally and that Trump “is safe.” Shortly after, the Trump campaign issues a statement saying Trump “is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility.”
● 7:24 p.m.: The Butler County district attorney says the suspected shooter is dead and one rally attendee has been killed, the Associated Press reports.
● 7:49 p.m.: Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi releases a statement saying agents neutralized the shooter and that he was dead. The statement says one person was killed and two spectators have been seriously injured.
● 8:13 p.m.: In a short televised briefing, President Joe Biden says he was trying to call Trump to speak with him as soon as possible.
● 8:42 p.m.: Trump posts on Truth Social confirming he was shot: “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!”
● 9:33 p.m.: The FBI’s Pittsburgh office says it has assumed the lead in the shooting investigation.
● 11:52 p.m.: In a news conference, Kevin Rojek, special agent in charge of the Pittsburgh FBI office, says the shooting was an attempted assassination of Trump and that investigators are working to determine a motive.
Early Sunday: Law enforcement seals off Crook’s home for investigation.