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A twenty-year-old shooter managed to open fire on one of the world's best-protected individuals: former President Donald Trump, on Saturday. What do we know about the perpetrator, the victims, the weapon, the security, and the crime scene?
In the 24 hours following the failed assassination attempt on Donald Trump in Pennsylvania, more information has emerged about the background of the incident, in which the former U.S. president sustained only a minor ear injury. This act of violence against the presumed Republican presidential candidate—less than four months before Election Day—has introduced a completely new dynamic to the campaign for the White House.
What is currently known about the attack?
1: Who is the Suspected Perpetrator?
On Saturday, shortly after firing his initial shots, the shooter was almost immediately neutralized by Secret Service snipers. Authorities identified the shooter as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Pittsburgh, approximately an hour's drive from the Trump rally.
Although the shooter carried no ID, his identity was determined early Sunday morning through DNA and fingerprint analysis. Crooks was registered as a Republican voter in Pennsylvania but had made a small donation ($15) to Act Blue, a Democratic campaign fund, on January 20, 2021, the day of Joe Biden's inauguration.
No information has been released regarding his possible motive. Authorities found "suspicious packages" near Crooks' body, prompting a brief deployment of explosives experts. No manifesto, often left by perpetrators of such violent acts, has been disclosed.
Police also discovered explosives in Crooks' car, which was parked near the campaign event, and an explosive device was reportedly found in his home.
2: What is the Condition of Former President Trump?
Most witnesses reported hearing at least five shots, and the 79-year-old former president was likely hit by one bullet. This bullet "pierced the top of my right ear," Trump wrote in a statement on social media afterward. He also claimed to have heard the "whistling" sound just before the bullet grazed him. His bodyguards managed to push him to the ground within seconds, while their colleagues neutralized the shooter.
3: Weapon Used in the Attack
After shooter Crooks was neutralized, an AR-15 was found next to his body. This weapon is both one of the most sold and one of the most controversial firearms in the U.S. The high rate of fire of this semi-automatic assault rifle causes bullets to tumble upon entering a human body, pulverizing it from within. This characteristic makes it a favored weapon among perpetrators of mass shootings, as it can cause many (fatal) casualties in a matter of minutes.
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