LATEST: President Biden calls for end to political violence after attempted assassination of Trump

BUTLER COUNTY, Pa. — Former President Donald Trump was injured in an apparent assassination attempt at his rally in Butler Saturday evening. Two other people were killed, including the suspected shooter.

PHOTOS: Former President Donald Trump rushed off stage after shots fired at rally

Trump issued a statement on Truth Social later Saturday night, confirming that he was shot with a bullet and said that it pierced the upper right part of his right ear, according to NBC News.

STATEMENTS: Local, national officials condemn violence following shooting at Trump rally

The Secret Service confirmed that one spectator was killed and two others were critically injured. A spokesperson with Highmark Health confirmed that the two injured are being treated at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh.

Agents also confirmed that they killed the shooter.

As Trump was talking, a popping sound was heard shortly after he took the stage around 6:15 p.m., and the former president put his right hand up to his right ear. People in the stands behind him appeared shocked.

Trump appeared to lower himself and the sounds — apparent gunshots — continued as Secret Service agents rushed the stage.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available and watch for LIVE Updates below:

UPDATE 9:30 p.m. Sunday

Channel 11 met with firefighters who worked alongside Corey Comperatore who was a former fire chief who was shot and killed during the attempted assassination of Donald Trump on Saturday.

RELATED COVERAGE >>>‘He died a hero’: Butler County fire community remembers former chief killed at Trump rally

“He’ll always be remembered as the guy who took the bullet for the president,” said Scott Hoffman, Buffalo Township’s former assistant chief.

UPDATE 8:30 p.m. Sunday

President Joe Biden gave remarks from the Oval Office at 8 p.m. on Sunday.

Biden called for an end to political violence in the United States.

“While we may disagree, we are not enemies,” Biden said during his approximately six minutes of remarks. “We’re neighbors, we’re friends, coworkers, citizens, and most importantly, we are fellow Americans. We must stand together.”

The president also called to “lower the temperature” in political rhetoric as a step towards ending the violence.

UPDATE 4:50 p.m. Sunday

11 Investigates has learned that four Pittsburgh police officers assigned to the former president’s motorcade yesterday suffered minor injuries during the shooting.

The four motorcycle officers were part of Donald Trump’s escort to and from the rally in Butler.

Sources tell Chief Investigator Rick Earle the officers were just feet away from Trump when shots rang out. The four officers suffered minor injuries from flying debris caused by the bullets.

Sources say the officers were hit with either plastic or metal fragments when the bullets struck objects nearby.

They were treated at the scene. They were okay to escort Trump back to the airport in Pittsburgh last night after he was treated at Butler Memorial Hospital.

UPDATE 4:05 p.m. Sunday

According to the Associated Press, a local police officer climbed onto the roof where Crooks was located. They say he pointed his rifle at the officer who then retreated down the ladder.

Click here to read more details.

UPDATE 3:12 p.m. Sunday

Pennsylvania State Police have identified the victims who were shot during the assassination attempt on former president Donald Trump.

As reported earlier, the man who was shot and killed was Corey Comperatore, 50, from Sarver, Pa.

The second victim was David Dutch, 57, from New Kensington Pa. Dutch was taken to a hospital in critical condition and is now listed in stable condition.

The third victim has been identified as James Copenhaver, 74, from Moon Township, Pa. He was also taken to a hospital in critical condition and has also been upgraded to stable condition.

“These victims and their families are certainly in our thoughts today,” said Colonel Christopher Paris, Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner. “The Pennsylvania State Police continue to work tirelessly alongside our federal, state and local partners as this investigation continues.”

UPDATE 1:50 p.m. Sunday

Gov. Josh Shapiro ordered United States and Commonwealth flags to fly at half-staff, starting immediately, to recognize Butler County resident, Corey Comperatore, who was killed in the shooting at Trump’s rally Saturday.

The flags will remain lowered until the date of Comperatore’s interment, which has not yet been announced.

UPDATE 11:50 a.m. Sunday

Former first lady Melania Trump released a statement Sunday, thanking Secret Service agents for protecting her husband’s life and sending sympathy to the other victims of Saturday’s shooting, USA Today reported.

“When I watched that violent bullet strike my husband, Donald, I realized my life, and Barron’s life, were on the brink of devastating change,” she wrote.

She also called the gunman a “monster.”

“A monster who recognized my husband as an inhuman political machine attempted to ring out Donald’s passion - his laughter, ingenuity, love of music, and inspiration.”

She also thanked supporters and even those who have not backed Trump for sending their thoughts.

“For those of you who cry in support, I thank you. I commend those of you who have reached out beyond the political divide - thank you for remembering that every single politician is a man or a woman with a loving family.”

-Natalie Dreier, Cox Media Group National Content Desk

UPDATE 11:00 a.m. Sunday

The former fire chief for Buffalo Township, Corey Comperatore, was the person killed in the crowd at the Trump rally in Butler County, Channel 11 has learned. CLICK HERE for the latest that we have learned about Comperatore.

UPDATE 8:50 a.m. Sunday

A spokesperson for Highmark Health confirmed to Channel 11 that the two people who were injured at Saturday’s rally are still in critical condition.

UPDATE 8:40 a.m. Sunday

Chief Of Communications for the United States Secret Service, Anthony Guglielmi, took to social media to dismiss claims that additional security was requested and rejected for Trump’s rally.

“There’s an untrue assertion that a member of the former President’s team requested additional security resources & that those were rebuffed,” he posted on X.

“This is absolutely false. In fact, we added protective resources & technology & capabilities as part of the increased campaign travel tempo.”

UPDATE 8:35 a.m. Sunday

Former President Donald Trump issued a new statement on his social media website Trhuth Social Sunday morning, thanking supports and saying “we will fear not.” Read the full statement below:

“Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and prayers yesterday, as it was God alone who prevented the unthinkable form happening. We will FEAR NOT, but instead remain resilient in our Faith and Defiant in the face of Wickedness. Our love goes out to the other victims and their families. We pray for the recovery of those who were wounded, and hold in our hearts the memory of the citizen who was so horribly killed. In this moment, it is more important than ever that we stand United, and show our True Character as Americans, remaining Strong and Deermined, and not allowing Evil to Win. I tryly love our Country, and love you all, and look forward to speaking to our Great Nation this week from Wisconsin.”

UPDATE 7:45 a.m. Sunday

Former President Donald Trump authorized a fundraiser that’s meant to collect donations for the people hurt or killed in the shooting at his rally on Saturday.

Click here to learn more about the fundraiser or to make a donation.

UPDATE 1:20 a.m. Sunday

The FBI has confirmed that the alleged shooter at the Donald Trump rally in Butler County was Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park. Anyone with information about Crooks is asked to call 1-800-CALL-FBI or leave a tip at FBI.gov/butler

UPDATE 12:45 a.m. Sunday

Investigators with the FBI and Pennsylvania State Police troopers held a press conference at the Butler Township Police Department to provide more information.

Kevin Rojek, Special Agent in Charge with FBI Pittsburgh, clarified that their department will be leading the investigation into federal crimes committed at the rally and Pennsylvania State Police will lead the investigation into local crimes.

Rojek said resources from across the Bureau are being used in this investigation, including some from Quantico.

They are asking anyone with videos or photos from the rally to submit a tip.

Click here to learn how to submit a tip.

FBI agents have confirmed that they are considering this situation an assassination attempt.

They said the Butler County Fairgrounds are still considered to be an active crime scene.

Investigators say they have a tentative identity of the shooter but will not be releasing that information until they are 100% sure. DNA tests, photo and video evidence are being used to help them confirm the shooter’s identity.

State police confirmed that all three spectators who were shot were adult men. Their identities will not be released by investigators at this time.

Investigators also said that the shots fired were not concentrated and were scattered. They could not clarify how many shots were fired.

When asked what kind of gun the shooter was using, police said that information was part of their ongoing investigation.

Bomb technicians have also been called to the area. Police said this is often standard protocol and they have to check a lot of bags or packages that were left behind as the area was quickly evacuated.

State police said security was led by Secret Service Agents. State Police initially said that Secret Services would be attending the press conference, but later said that they were unable to join.

None of the victims were police officers.

Investigators said it is unknown how long the shooter was in position.

Once the identity of the shooter is released police are asking anyone who knew them to send in information. They are also asking anyone who believes that any other people are involved in this situation to contact them and leave a tip.

Police also said they were investigating multiple reports of suspicious activities before the shooting but did not provide more details on what those reports included.

UPDATE 11:37 p.m.

Sources tell NBC News that the suspected shooter is from Pennsylvania is around 20 years old.

UPDATE 11:30 p.m.:

Pennsylvania State Police, the FBI, and Secret Service agents are holding a press conference at 11:45 p.m. You can watch the update LIVE on Channel 11 and in our streaming apps.

UPDATE 11:22 p.m.:

Gov. Shapiro put out an update on social media saying that Trump has left Butler under the protection of US Secret Service and with the assistance of Pennsylvania State Police.

UPDATE 11:18 p.m.:

NBC News created this map that shows where the suspected gunman was, which was on a roof approximately 148 yards away from Trump.

The shots were fired from outside the Secret Service security perimeter for the rally, three senior U.S. law enforcement officials told NBC News.

UPDATE 11:15 p.m.

Speaker Mike Johnson says the House of Representatives will also be conducting an investigation into the shooting.

UPDATE 11:10 p.m.:

NBC News reports that Trump is expected to attend the Republican National Convention where he is expected to become the GOP presidential nominee in Milwaukee on Monday.

UPDATE 10:55 p.m.:

A spokesperson from the FBI has confirmed that they will be leading the investigation into the shooting. In full, their statement said:

“The FBI has assumed the role of the lead federal law enforcement agency in the investigation of the incident involving former President Donald Trump that occurred earlier today in Butler, Pennsylvania. Special agents of the FBI Pittsburgh Field Office responded immediately, including crisis response team members and evidence response technicians. We will continue to support this investigation with the full resources of the FBI, alongside our partners at the U.S. Secret Service and state and local law enforcement. Anyone with information that may assist with the investigation is asked to call our tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI.”

UPDATE 10:17 p.m.:

A spokesperson for Highmark Health confirmed to Channel 11 that two people who were injured at Saturday’s rally are being treated at Allegheny General Hospital. They are both in critical condition.

PHOTOS: Police presence heightened as Trump rally shooting victims are treated at Pittsburgh hospital

UPDATE 9:00 p.m.:

In a new press statement issued by the United States Secret Service, it was confirmed that a second attendee was critically injured in the shooting.

The victims now include, Donald Trump who was shot in the ear, one spectator who died, and two other attendees who were shot and are considered critically injured.

Secret Service Agents say the shots were fired at about 6:15 p.m. They say the suspected shooter fired multiple shots from an elevated position toward the stage.

Agents confirmed that they killed the shooter.

UPDATE 8:51 p.m.:

Donald Trump issued a statement on Truth Social at 8:42 p.m. Saturday night. He confirmed that he was shot with a bullet and said that it pierced the upper right part of his right ear. He thanked the Secret Service and law enforcement for their response. Trump also confirmed that the shooter is dead.

Donald Trump’s Full Statement:

“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. 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. 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. GOD BLESS AMERICA!”

UPDATE 8:41 p.m.:

Allegheny County Sheriff Kevin Kraus sent out the following statement

“I have offered the assistance of my office and numerous deputies have been detailed to aid with security involving the hospital treatment of those who have been injured in Butler County.

It is important to emphasize that a life was lost today. That is tragic and unacceptable. No one who attends a political rally should fear for their life in doing so.

I can assure the residents of Allegheny County and western Pennsylvania that my personnel, in conjunction with all of law enforcement in this region, will work diligently to keep our citizens safe.”

UPDATE 8:34 p.m.

FBI Pittsburgh sent out the following statement:

“FBI personnel are on the scene in Butler County and the FBI will continue to work jointly with the U.S. Secret Service as the investigation moves forward”

UPDATE 8:06 p.m.

President Joe Biden said he has been briefed on the shooting at the Trump rally. He said he is “grateful to hear that he’s safe and doing well.”

You can read his full tweet below:

UPDATE 7:45 p.m.:

Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger told NBC News that the suspected shooter and one spectator are dead. Another spectator is in serious condition. Goldinger also said he was told Trump would be OK.

UPDATE 7:29 p.m.:

Sen. Bob Casey said that he is monitoring the situation, adding that “political violence is never acceptable.”

UPDATE 7:13 p.m.:

The Secret Service released a statement on X saying they “implemented protective measures and the former President is safe.”

UPDATE 7:05 p.m.

The Donald Trump campaign has issued a statement saying that the former president “is fine” and is being treated at a local medical facility.

UPDATE 6:55 p.m.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro issued a statement after the incident saying that violence against any political figure is unacceptable.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW

©2024 Cox Media Group