The Other McCain

"One should either write ruthlessly what one believes to be the truth, or else shut up." — Arthur Koestler

SHOTS FIRED AT TRUMP PA. RALLY; UPDATE: ‘Assassination Attempt’? UPDATE: Shooter Dead, DA Says

Posted on | July 13, 2024 | 2 Comments

This news broke within the past hour and, at this point, nobody can say for certain what happened during Donald Trump’s speech at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The sound of gunshots was reportedly heard, Trump appeared to grab at his neck, then went to the ground, and then was escorted offstage by Secret Service agents.

UPDATE 6:55 p.m. ET: It appears that Trump may have been hit, but perhaps just grazed, as he was able to pump his fist and urge the crowd to “fight” before Secret Service got him offstage. First the shots:

And now Trump’s “fight” moment:

We still know nothing about what actually happened, and I urge everyone to avoid promoting unsubstantiated speculation.

UPDATE 7:15 p.m. ET: The first report from the New York Post:

Former President Trump was shot in the side of the head on stage at a rally in an apparent assassination attempt.
What sounded like gunshots rang out just about five minutes into his speech shortly after 6 p.m., sending Trump to the ground as Secret Service agents jumped in to cover him. Sources said the investigation is ongoing and they are looking into if the shots were from a BB gun.
After the initial shot rang out, apparently grazing Trump, the rest of the shots that could be heard were gunfire from law enforcement, sources said.
A streak of blood could be seen on the right side of his face.
Soldiers in military gear were seen rushing into the rally.
Nine shots could be heard in video of the incident, including three before Trump ducked.

So that’s what we’ve got so far, and it will take a while to sort through the facts and figure out what actually happened. Don’t jump to conclusions. To call it “an apparent assassination attempt” is fine, but appearances can be deceiving. Until we have more definite information, we don’t know what happened, and should avoid pretending as if we do know. Patience!

UPDATE 8:05 p.m. ET: Further details now reported:

Butler County District Attorney Richard A. Goldinger confirmed to multiple news sources that former President Donald Trump was grazed by gunfire at a rally in Butler, Pa., Saturday.
Goldinger added that the shooter was dead, as well as one person in the audience.
No information was available about the audience member who was shot or the shooter at this time. . . .
Trump’s campaign said in a statement after he was rushed off stage that he was fine and being checked out.
“President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act,” spokesman Steven Cheung said. “He is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility. More details will follow.”
The Secret Service echoed in its own statement that “the former President is safe.”

Until the shooter is identified, we know nothing about the motive. Yes, it was an apparent assassination attempt, but we must wait for more confirmed information to actually know why this happened.

UPDATE 9:05 p.m. ET: The shooter was observed crawling on a rooftop outside the rally with a rifle and, after he opened fire — and barely missed killing Trump — was taken out by the Secret Service. Failure to secure that rooftop before the rally is certain to be widely criticized. We probably won’t know the identity of the shooter tonight, so until we do, I’ll just let this post stand, and do another post if and when we learn anything significant.

UPDATE 9:35 a.m. ET Sunday: Trump Rally Gunman ID’d as 20-Year-Old Math Geek Thomas Matthew Crooks.



 

Shop Electronics at Amazon

Save on Groceries and Everyday Essentials

Shop Amazon Basics

Office & School Supplies

Category: Donald Trump, Pennsylvania

Comments

2 Responses to “SHOTS FIRED AT TRUMP PA. RALLY; UPDATE: ‘Assassination Attempt’? UPDATE: Shooter Dead, DA Says”

  1. Exit Strategy? Biden Tests Positive for COVID, Retreats to Delaware : The Other McCain
    July 18th, 2024 @ 10:04 am

    […] about a contrast: While Donald Trump is dodging bullets like an action-movie hero, the elderly resident of the White House contracts the virus that most of […]

  2. We Probably Can’t Rule Out ‘Arkancide’ : The Other McCain
    July 20th, 2024 @ 2:30 pm

    […] believe it, any more so than we believe that the “mistakes” made by the Secret Service last weekend were actually mistakes. “Arkancide is a word for a reason,” as Derek Hunter has said, […]