police tape of a roadblock in Bethel Park, Pa., which they say is near the location of Thomas Matthew Crooks, the suspected shooter of former President Donald Trump, Sunday, July 14, 2024. | Photo Credit: AP
Law enforcement officials told Associated Press that bomb-making materials were found in the vehicle of the suspect in the Trump rally shooting. There were also bomb-making materials found in his house.
The two officials were not authorized to speak publicly and talk to each other AP on condition of anonymity.
On the heels of an apparent attempt to kill someone, former President Donald Trump called Sunday for unity and resilience as a shocked leader between political divisions recoiled from the shooting that left him wounded but “good” and the gunman and rally-goer dead.
The Republican presidential candidate who believes that the top of his right ear was pierced when he was shot. His aides said he was “in high spirits” and doing well.
“I immediately knew something was wrong because I heard a whizzing sound, a shot, and immediately felt a bullet rip through my skin,” he wrote on the social media site. “There was a lot of bleeding going on.”
In a later post on Sunday, Trump said “only God prevents the inevitable from happening.”
“At this moment, it is more important than ever that we stand United, and show our True Character as Americans, stay Strong and Determined, and not let Evil Win,” the post said.
The FBI earlier on Sunday identified the shooter as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, as they pressed for an investigation. FBI officials said investigators have not yet determined a motive.
Secret Service agents kill Crooks. The gunman attacked from an elevated position outside the rally venue at the farm show in Butler, the agency said.
One participant was killed, and two spectators were critically injured, authorities said. They are all recognized as people.
Investigators​​​​believe​​that​​the​​weapons​​were​​purchased​​by​​Crooks​​father​​at least six months ago, two law enforcement officials said. Federal agents are still working to understand when and how the son obtained the gun and to gather additional information about Crooks, officials said.
The official was not authorized to discuss details of the investigation and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
Rising political violence
The attack was the most serious attempt to kill a president or presidential candidate since Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981. It drew renewed attention to concerns about political violence in the highly polarized US less than four months before the presidential election. And it could change the tenor and security posture at the Republican National Convention, which begins on Monday in Milwaukee.
Organizers say the convention will go ahead as planned.
Trump flew to New Jersey after visiting a local Pennsylvania hospital, landing shortly after midnight at Newark Liberty International Airport.
A video posted by an aide showed the former president leaving his private jet flanked by Secret Service agents and armed members of the agency’s counter-attack team, in an extraordinary show of force by his protective detail.
Biden, who is running against Trump, was briefed on the attack and spoke to Trump hours after the shooting, the White House said. “There is no place in America for this type of violence,” the president said. “Ache. It hurts.”
Biden last Saturday cut short the weekend at his beach house in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, to return to Washington.
Many Republicans were quick to blame the violence on Biden and his allies, arguing that the constant attacks on Trump are a threat to democracy creating a toxic environment. He pointed specifically to Biden’s comments to donors on July 8, saying “it’s time to put Trump in the bullseye.”
Officials said the counter-attack team killed the shooter. A heavily armed tactical team travels everywhere with the president and major party nominees and is meant to deal with active threats while other Secret Service agents focus on guarding and evacuating those people in shelters.