Donald Trump was shot in the ear during an election rally
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has identified Thomas Matthew Crooks as the gunman behind the attempted assassination of former US President Donald Trump, it said in a statement today.
Crooks, 20, was killed by security officers when he opened fire on the 78-year-old Republican presidential candidate, wounding his ear, during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
“The FBI has identified Thomas Matthew Crooks, age 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, as the subject involved in the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump on July 13 in Butler, Pennsylvania,” the FBI said in a statement cited by NBC and CBS.
Law enforcement officials previously told reporters they had tentatively identified the suspected shooter but were not ready to do so publicly. They also said they have not yet identified a motive. The FBI, which is the lead federal law enforcement agency in the investigation, said the shooting was being treated as “an assassination attempt” against the former president.
Trump was hit in the ear in the shocking shooting, which left one bystander dead and two others seriously injured. He was quickly carried off the stage by US Secret Service agents, with blood seen on his face.
The shots were heard as Trump had just begun speaking at his final rally before the Republican National Convention.
Thousands of his supporters were present when the shooting took place, which was captured live on news channels.
Donald Trump says bullet pierced part of his right ear
Donald Trump, in his first account of being attacked during a rally, said: “I was hit by a bullet that pierced the top of my right ear.”
“I knew immediately something was wrong as I heard a buzzing sound, gunshots and immediately felt the bullet tearing through my skin,” Trump said on his Truth Social website.
“There was a lot of bleeding, so I realized what was happening,” he added.
He also thanked the Secret Service and law enforcement for their “quick response.”
“It is incredible that such an act could occur in our country,” he said.
The shocking incident occurred less than four months before the November 5 US presidential election, when Trump is expected to face an electoral rematch with Democratic President Joe Biden.
This story originally appeared on Ndtv.com read the full story
