Former President of the United States of America Donald Trump was injured on Saturday after shots were fired during his rally in Pennsylvania in an assassination attempt. The 78-year-old, who was rushed to the hospital after the shooting pierced the upper part of his ear, said he was injured but "fine". However, the assassination bid left a rally-goer dead and two others seriously injured. The shooter was also killed after being identified.
After surviving the incident, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee said the US must "stand united" and asked people to show the "true character as Americans," remaining "strong and determined".
The upper part of Trump's right ear was pierced in the shooting. His aides informed he was in "great spirits" and doing well, Associated Press reported.
"I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin," Trump wrote on his social media site, adding "Much bleeding took place."
In a subsequent post he said: "it was God alone who prevented the unthinkable from happening."
“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,” his post read.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation on early Sunday identified the shooter as a 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania.
Crooks was fatally shot by the Secret Service agents. During probe, bomb-making materials were found in a vehicle, at the suspect's home, AP reported.
The report said the gunman attacked Trump from an elevated position, which was outside the campaign rally venue at a farm show in Butler.
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One man was killed and two others were critically injured in the attack, authorities told AP.
As per the investigators, Crook's father is said to have purchased the weapon used in the attack, at least six months ago, two law enforcement officials stated.
The federal agents are yet to identify the motive behind the assasination attempt and how Crook obtained the gun from his father.
As of now, Crooks’ political leanings remain unclear. While records show he was registered as a Republican voter in Pennsylvania, the campaign finance reports show he gave $15 to a progressive political action committee in January 20, 2021, when President Joe Biden was sworn in to President's office, AP reported.
Sources familiar with the matter told the news agency that an AR-style rifle was recovered from the spot and that Crooks did not carry any identification. The investigators are using DNA and other ways to confirm his identity.
The assassination attack was the most serious attempt to kill a presidential candidate since Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981.
Flanked by US Secret Service agents, Trump flew to New Jersey after visiting a local Pennsylvania hospital and landed at Newark Liberty International Airport shortly after midnight.
US President Joe Biden, who is contesting against Trump, called the attack "sick" and said: "There’s no place in America for this type of violence,” the president said. “It’s sick. It’s sick."
PM Modi Condemns Attack On Trump
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also condemned the shooting and wished Trump a speedy recovery.
"Deeply concerned by the attack on my friend, former President Donald Trump. Strongly condemn the incident. Violence has no place in politics and democracies. Wish him speedy recovery," he posted o X.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the deceased, those injured and the American people," he added.