Former President Donald Trump said Sunday that God "prevented the unthinkable from happening," the morning after he survived a shooting at a campaign rally in Butler, Pa. The Secret Service shot and killed the suspected gunman, identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks. Authorities also found explosive devices in the car he had been driving, according to people briefed on the investigation.
Federal authorities say the shooting was an assassination attempt. A WSJ reporter was at the rally as the shooting unfolded.
One spectator was killed and two others were critically injured after "multiple shots" were fired, the Secret Service said on social media.
Trump's health: Trump is doing well and is grateful to law enforcement and first responders for their fast action, the Republican National Committee said. Trump confirmed he will speak at the Republican National Convention this week. President Biden said there is “no place in America for this sort of violence. It’s sick.”
The suspected gunman: Crooks used a firearm that had been purchased by his father and explosive devices were found in the car he was driving, according to people familiar with the investigation. Law enforcement are trying to determine a motive and how this could have happened at what should have been a highly secure event.
Investigations: Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle has been called on to appear before the House Oversight Committee on July 22. Attorney General Merrick Garland promised to bring the full force of the Justice Department to investigate the shooting, which he called “an attack on our democracy.”
Messages of concern and support: Top Democrats and top Republicans as well as former presidents have all decried political violence. Global leaders also condemned the attack. Some Republicans blamed the shooting on Biden's rhetoric. Trump said the motive wasn't clear.
Of course they always have explosive devices in the vehicle. The Feds need to get a new playbook.