Former President of the United States (2017-2021) Donald Trump landed in Milwaukee, Wisconsin state, to attend the Republican National Convention this Sunday (07/14/2024), almost 24 hours after a failed assassination attempt on him. Injured, his son Eric Trump posted on social media.
“Milwaukee is getting down with @realdonaldtrump,” Eric said.
The former president indicated on his Truth social network before flying that he considered delaying his arrival at the event for two days due to what happened, but then decided that he could not allow a “shooter or a potential assassin” to change his schedule.
On Saturday, July 13, both the Republican Party and the Trump campaign indicated that the convention, scheduled to take place in Milwaukee this Monday, July 15 to Thursday, July 18, was going ahead, and said the 78-year-old New York magnate was looking forward to being in it
“I am Donald J. Trump and I will never give up! I will always love you for supporting me. Unity. Peace. Let’s Make America Great Again,” he said in an email sent by his campaign, along with a photo that showed him with a raised fist as his security team removed him from the stage after the attack.
Trump was holding a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on Saturday when he was shot in his right ear. One person was killed, two were injured and the attacker, who opened fire from outside the premises, was shot dead by police.
Milwaukee has already been cordoned off from the former president’s arrival and convention celebrations, with the city center closed to traffic and a heavy police presence and fencing around the congress center, where 15,000 Republican Party delegates are expected to attend from the country’s 50 states.
“This is probably one of the most secure arenas on Earth right now,” Wisconsin Republican Party Chairman Brian Schimming told reporters, reassuring the hundreds of Republican delegates who visit year-round for the big game event.
The criminals carried out the crime alone and used a semi-automatic rifle
The FBI estimates that Thomas Matthew Crooks, the 20-year-old author of the attack against the former president on Saturday, July 13, acted alone and that first indications do not give clues that he belongs to any international terrorist organization.
“At this time, the information we have indicates the shooter acted alone and there are no public safety concerns at this time,” Kevin P. Rojek, the FBI agent leading the investigation, said in a teleconference.
The agent said that at the moment “a nexus of suspects” has also not been identified, who in fact, as previously reported, used a semi-automatic rifle that was purchased by his father, although it is unclear whether he took the weapon with his parents’ permission or not.
Investigators said they are currently studying the incident as a case of “domestic terrorism” and have sent Crooks’ gun and cell phone to an FBI lab in Virginia.
He said that the publications made by the young man on social networks and the review carried out so far by police authorities have not revealed any political ideology, nor any history of any type of mental illness.
Rojek said the federal agency was not aware of any confrontations between Crooks and local law enforcement officers before the attack.
MG (EFE, AFP)
Shooting at Trump rally in pictures
The attack against the candidate at a campaign event in Pennsylvania sent shockwaves across the United States and the world.
Image: Brendan McDermid/Reuters
A series of gunshots were fired during Donald Trump’s presidential campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Secret Service agents immediately rushed to the stage and surrounded Trump, who was knocked to the floor of the grandstand.
Image: Gene J. Puskar/AP Photos/Picture Alliance
The Secret Service enters the scene
As the shots rang out, Trump was seen touching his right ear. Secret Service agents then ran onto the stage and tackled the former president. They crowded around him while other security agents secured the place.
Image: Evan Vucci/AP Photos/Picture Alliance
Donald Trump has an injury to his right ear
After Trump was surrounded, Secret Service agents helped the former president to his feet. Blood could be seen streaking his face. Trump raised his fist toward the crowd and chanted, “Fight, fight, fight.” Many in the crowd chanted “USA, USA.”
Image: Reuters
Trump strikes a defiant pose
After Secret Service agents helped him to his feet, Trump raised his fist in the air in a defiant gesture, leaving him partially exposed and blood stains visible on his face. Photos of that moment with the American flag in the background quickly circulated on social networks. Many Republicans saw it as a defining moment for their campaign.
Image: Evan Vucci/AP Photo/Picture Alliance
Crime scene: Outdoor rally in Pennsylvania
The former US president had just started his speech when the sound of gunfire was heard. Trump was talking about immigrants. An eyewitness told Reuters news agency that at first it sounded like fireworks, but then people started screaming. He said, “Everyone panicked. It was chaos.”
Image: Evan Vucci/AP Photo/Picture Alliance
Shock and fear among the crowd at the rally
Three people from the audience were initially seriously injured. A doctor present rushed to help one of the injured. Speaking to reporters later, the doctor said the man had been shot in the head. His death was later confirmed.
Image: Brendan McDermid/Reuters
There is uproar in the world
News of what the FBI calls an “attempted assassination” made headlines around the world. President Joe Biden said he was relieved Trump was safe and condemned the attack, saying “there is no place in America for this type of violence.” Vice President Kamala Harris, who was also campaigning in Pennsylvania, condemned the “despicable act.”
Image: Brian Snyder/Reuters
Joe Biden condemns attempt on Trump’s life
US President Joe Biden returned to Washington from his seaside home in Delaware and also spoke to Trump after his release from the hospital. Biden said he was grateful to the Secret Service for getting Trump out safely. “This is sick. This is sick. This is one of the reasons we have to unite this country,” Biden wrote on the social network X.
Image: Tom Brenner/Reuters
Police deployment: More security for candidates
Police officers in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, protect the town hall where President Biden made an appearance. In his speech, he condemned the attack on his potential Republican rival in the November presidential election.
Image: Tom Brenner/Reuters
Several hours after the shooting, the FBI took over the investigation. The agency has since confirmed an “assassination attempt” against Trump and announced it had identified the shooter. Special Agent Kevin Rojek said officers were “vigorously working” on the case. The FBI said it had “no reason to believe” any additional threats existed.
Image: Brendan McDermid/Reuters
Extra security for Trump
The NYPD was standing guard in front of Trump Tower in New York. After leaving the hospital, the former president was expected to spend the night at his home in New Jersey, the New York Times reported.
Image: David D. Delgado/Reuters
Most serious assassination attempt since 1981
Secret Service members patrol the area after Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania was interrupted by the attack. The attack is the most serious attempt to assassinate a president or presidential candidate since 1981, when Ronald Reagan was shot.