Former President Donald Trump survived an apparent assassination attempt on Saturday, narrowly avoiding a series of gunshots that grazed his ear, video shows.

• The alleged attack took place just minutes into a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Sunday at roughly 6:10 pm.

• As the president addressed the crowd, a series of gunshots could be heard. Trump then reached for his ear, which appeared to have been grazed by shots from an unknown source.

• Members of the US Secret Service then surrounded Trump, who survived the incident. As he was being escorted away, the presidential hopeful could be seen raising his fist in defiance.

• Photos from the incident clearly show Trump’s face and ear bloodied from the attack, appearing to be a mere inches away from far worse injuries. Trump was released from a local hospital later in the evening and was confirmed to be in good health.

Update 7:15 PM: A Secret Service spokesman confirmed that “the former President is safe” in a statement posted to X/Twitter.

• “This is now an active Secret Service investigation and further information will be released when available,” agency spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi posted.

• A Trump spokesperson further added that the former president “thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act.”

• Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger said two people are dead following the attempt on Trump’s life, including an apparent shooter.

• Update 7:50pm: Video of an apparent shooter on a nearby rooftop has been released, indicating he may have been up to 400ft from Trump when gunfire erupted.

• The identity of the shooter has yet to be released by law enforcement, the Trump campaign, or the White House.

Update 8:00 pm: According to the New York Post, the shooter was identified by the Secret Service as a “Chinese Man.”

• “The shooter, identified as a Chinese man, was in a sniper position located hundreds of yards away from Trump’s podium in Butler, Pa. as he spoke to a campaign crowd, sources said.”

Update 8:30 pm: A bystander who was shot and killed by the assassin appears to be a White male, video shows. The identity of the attack’s only civilian death would later be revealed as Corey Comperatore, who died shielding his family from certain death.

US President Joe Biden delivered a statement on the shooting, adding that he is grateful to hear that Trump is safe. He is set to deliver an address later in the evening.

• “I have been briefed on the shooting at Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania. I’m grateful to hear that he’s safe and doing well. I’m praying for him and his family and for all those who were at the rally, as we await further information,” Biden said in a statement.

• “Jill and I are grateful to the Secret Service for getting him to safety. There’s no place for this kind of violence in America. We must unite as one nation to condemn it,” it continued.

A Trump supporter told the BBC that he informed police and Secret Service about a suspicious man on a roof with a rifle, and was ignored by both agencies.

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Update 9:20 PM: President Trump made his first statement since the failed assassination attempt on the social media platform Truth Social.

• “I want to thank The United States Secret Service, and all of Law Enforcement, for their rapid response on the shooting that just took place in Butler, Pennsylvania,” he said.

• Most importantly, I want to extend my condolences to the family of the person at the Rally who was killed, and also to the family of another person that was badly injured. It is incredible that such an act can take place in our Country. Nothing is known at this time about the shooter, who is now dead,” he continued.

• “I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear. 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.”

Update 9:30 pm: The New York Post has revised its article, changing the alleged identity of the shooter from “Chinese Man” to “White Male.”

• At this time, the identity of the shooter has not been reported by law enforcement agencies, the Trump campaign, or the White House.

Update 9:50 pm: A photo of the now-deceased Trump shooter appears to match earlier photos released online. The same gray-colored T-shirt and white roof tiling can be seen in all photos.

Update 7/14/23: Law enforcement has positively identified the shooter as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, of Bethel Park, PA, as the would-be Trump assassin. While little information is available, public records show he may be a registered Republican.

• Law enforcement is still working to confirm biometric identification, find official motives, and determine if the shooter had accomplices.

• Meanwhile, a spokesman for the FBI told reporters, “We do not currently have an identified motive.”

Update 7/14/23 11:34 AM: According to a report by the Wall Street Journal, attempted Trump assassin Thomas Matthew Crooks had used his father’s AR-style rifle to commit the attack.

• At this time, it is unknown how Crooks obtained the rifle. No motive has yet to be released by federal authorities.

• The report also asserts that Crooks’ vehicle, as well as the surrounding area, contained explosives, hinting at a deadlier attack that was not carried out. A neighbor of Crooks also reported that bomb technicians had searched the household late into the night.

• Preliminary reports about Crooks’ political leanings reveal that he donated to ActBlue, a progressive political action committee when he was 17. The $15 donation was for the Progressive Turnout Project. His advocacy for leftist groups appears to conflict with earlier reports of his registered Republican status.

By Friday, Crooks’ motive was still being sussed out by federal investigators. The shooter was said to have a scant social media presence, save for three “overseas encrypted accounts.”

• Statements made by former classmates of Thomas Crooks reveal he was a loner, often picked on or bullied, but was seen as a quiet student with a distaste of President Trump. According to reports, his last known internet search before the shooting was for digital pornography.

This story is developing and will be updated.

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