2024-07-15 04:04:10
Following the assassination attempt against former US President Donald Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, police authorities have identified the person who allegedly fired the shot.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said the perpetrator was Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old from Bethel Park.
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The attack occurred when Crooks, armed with an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle, fired several bursts from the roof of a building near the event site.
The swift actions of the Secret Service, charged with protecting Donald Trump, resulted in the neutralization of the attacker.
“This remains an active and ongoing investigation, and anyone with information that could help is asked to submit photos or videos online,” the detectives said.
Initial enquiries revealed that Thomas Matthew Crooks was a local resident with no criminal record and registered as a Republican.
One item of interest was a $15 contribution from Crooks to a Democratic political action committee in January 2021.
Meanwhile, it is important to remember that the incident left one spectator dead and two people seriously injured.
Donald Trump, who was beginning his speech at the time of the attack, was grazed by a bullet, but was quickly treated and brought to safety by the Secret Service.
The tycoon was later discharged after being examined at the medical institution.
Hours later, the Republican candidate for the White House expressed his gratitude to law enforcement for their swift action and regretted the violence that had occurred.
“I was shot with a bullet that went through the top of my right ear. I knew immediately that something was wrong because I heard a whizzing sound, gunshots and immediately felt the bullet go through the skin,” Trump said on social media.
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U.S. authorities are expected to release further details regarding the case in the coming hours.
Cubans Around the World Editorial Team