Trump narrowly escapes assassination at rally
[A photo of Trump. Credit to Pixabay]
In a shocking event on June 13, 2024, former president and current presidential candidate of 2024, Donald Trump, was shot during a campaign rally.
This attack was the most significant attempt to assassinate a president since Ronald Reagan was wounded in 1981.
The incident occurred as Trump was addressing his supporters at a campaign rally when three gunshots were suddenly heard.
Witnesses reported seeing the former president clutch his right ear before ducking down.
Several Secret Service agents quickly responded, helping Trump to his feet and escorting him off the stage.
As he was being led to safety, Trump shouted the words “Fight! Fight! Fight!” before entering a vehicle.
Trump was then taken to a local hospital and was later seen leaving a few hours after the attack.
He later shared his experience on social media, stating, "I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin. Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening."
The shooter, identified by the FBI as Thomas Matthew Crooks, was located and killed by snipers on a nearby rooftop within seconds of the attack.
Crooks, a 20-year-old from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, was described by former classmates and neighbors as “quiet,” “nerdy,” and a “normal person.”
Tragically, the attack also resulted in the death of Corey Compertore, a former fire station chief who reportedly shielded his family from the gunfire.
Two other audience members, James Copenhaver and David Dutch, were injured and are recovering.
Trump expressed gratitude to the Secret Service and offered his condolences to Compertore’s family.
He paid tribute to Comperatore at the Republican National Convention by wearing his former firefighter jacket and reported that more than $6 million had been raised for the three victims of the shooting.
President Joe Biden condemned the attack, stating,
“There’s no place in America for this kind of violence, or any violence for that matter. An assassination attempt is contrary to everything we stand for as a nation. It’s not who we are as a nation.”
The FBI is identifying the attack as an act of domestic terrorism.
Crooks had worked in the kitchen of a local nursing home and had not raised any suspicions while employed there.
He had held a membership for over a year at a shooting club, the Clairton Sportsmen’s Club.
He had also tried out for his high school varsity rifle club as a freshman but was rejected due to his poor aim, according to a classmate.
Officials revealed that Crooks had conducted online searches related to Trump and Biden, including the dates of Trump’s rally and the Democratic National Convention.
The motive behind the attack remains unknown and is under investigation by the FBI.
- Anna Lim / Grade 8
- East Junior High