An investigation continues into the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump at a rally in Bulter, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, in which one attendee was shot and killed and two others seriously injured.
The gunman was shot and killed by Secret Service agents. The FBI later identified him as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, about 40 miles south of Butler. His motive is not yet known.
Many details are unconfirmed, but Trump says a bullet pierced the upper part of his right ear before Secret Service agents hustled him off the stage and into a limousine. He was reported to be otherwise unharmed.
The gunman, who is believed to have acted alone, fired at the rally stage from a building rooftop about 150 yards away, outside the rally’s security perimeter. Agents recovered an AR-style rifle from the scene.
Here is what we know at the moment. All times are Eastern:
Where was Trump?
1 p.m.: The Butler Farm Show, site of the rally, opens its doors to attendees. Trump is scheduled to speak at 5 p.m.
6:03 p.m.: Trump takes the stage and greets the crowd as the Lee Greenwood song “God Bless the USA” plays.
6:05 p.m.: The song ends, and Trump begins speaking.
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6:11 p.m.: While Trump is speaking, multiple shots are fired toward the stage. Videos show Trump grabbing his right ear, looking at his bloody hand and dropping to the ground behind the podium. People can be heard saying, “Shots, shots, shots.”
6:12 p.m.: Secret Service agents jump on top of Trump and escort him off stage and into a vehicle. Trump gives a thumbs up as he leaves.
How many shots were fired?
6:14 p.m.: Trump’s motorcade leaves the fairgrounds surrounded by law enforcement vehicles.
6:42 p.m.: The Secret Service issues a statement confirming “an incident” took place at the rally and that Trump “is safe.” Shortly after, the Trump campaign issues a statement saying Trump “is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility.”
7:24 p.m.: The Butler County district attorney says the suspected shooter is dead and one rally attendee has been killed, the Associated Press reports.
Where was the shooter?
7:49 p.m.: Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi releases a statement saying agents neutralized the shooter and that he was dead. The statement says one person was killed and two spectators have been seriously injured.
8:13 p.m.: In a short televised briefing, President Joe Biden says he was trying to call Trump to speak with him as soon as possible.
8:42 p.m.: Trump posts on Truth Social confirming he was shot:
9:33 p.m.: The FBI’s Pittsburgh office says it has assumed the lead in the shooting investigation.
11:52 p.m.: In a news conference, Kevin Rojek, special agent in charge of the Pittsburgh FBI office, says the shooting was an attempted assassination of Trump and that investigators are working to determine a motive.
Who shot Trump? What gun was used?
Sunday: The FBI identified the shooter as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. Law enforcement seals off Crook’s home for investigation.
Crooks used a legally-purchased “AR-style 556 rifle,” according to Kevin Rojek, a special agent in charge of the FBI’s Pittsburgh field office. The agent likely refers to a rifle that fires 5.56 mm ammunition, though there are some firearm models with “556” in their name. During a call with reporters Rojek stated that the weapon was located next to Crooks on the scene.
“At this time, the information that we have indicates that the shooter acted alone and that there are currently no public safety concerns,” Rojek said. Another official on the call, who didn’t identify himself, said the FBI believes the weapon was bought by the shooter’s father.
