The alleged shooter had fired an AR-15-type semiautomatic rifle, killing one spectator and wounding others including Trump. Afterwards the suspect was killed by law enforcement officials.
Trump was injured in a volley of gunfire at 6:15 p.m. from an “elevated position” outside the rally’s venue, according to the US Secret Service, though his campaign has since said he is “fine.”
The agency said there is an “active and ongoing” investigation into the assassination attempt, and encouraged anyone with information to submit photos or videos to officials.
Also read: Donald Trump narrowly escapes assassination attempt at Campaign Rally
Bethel Park is a town about an hour away from where the rally took place. Law-enforcement officers have closed down all roads leading toward the home of the suspect’s family, the New York Times reported.
His motive is still unclear. He didn’t have a criminal history and was registered as a Republican, public court and voter registration records show. Federal campaign-finance records also show he donated $15 to the Progressive Turnout Project, an organization aimed at mobilizing Democratic voters, in January 2021.
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Local newspaper The Tribune-Review said Crooks appears to have graduated in 2022 from Bethel Park High School and received a $500 “star award” that year from the National Math and Science Initiative.