Trump shooting live updates: DHS inspector general investigating Secret Service

Written by on July 17, 2024

Trump shooting live updates: DHS inspector general investigating Secret Service
Rebecca Droke/AFP via Getty Images

(BUTLER, P.A.) — Federal authorities are investigating after former President Donald Trump was shot in the ear in an assassination attempt at an election rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday.

Blood splattered on Trump’s face as Secret Service agents surrounded him and led him off the stage to a waiting vehicle to whisk him away. Trump is “fine,” a spokesperson said.

The alleged shooter was killed by snipers. One spectator was killed and two were hurt, officials said.

Crooks seen walking around magnetometers before shooting: Sources

Minutes before the shooting, gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks was seen walking around near the magnetometers and people reported him as suspicious, according to law enforcement sources.

Crooks then climbed on top of air conditioning units and pulled himself up to the roof of the building beside those units, sources said.

Once on the roof of that first building, he worked his way toward another taller, adjacent building that gave him the vantage point to fire in Donald Trump’s direction, sources said. He jumped and landed where he wanted to be and slowly made his way to the summit of the sloped building, sources said.

Secret Service agents heard radio traffic about a suspicious person and later heard another radio dispatch about some sort of confrontation with police, sources said.

When bystanders noticed Crooks, an officer climbed up, sources said. Crooks pointed his gun at the officer who fell to the ground, sources said.

-ABC News’ Luke Barr, Jack Date, Pierre Thomas, Josh Margolin and Aaron Katersky

What we know about the shooting

As the FBI investigation continues, questions are swirling about how a 20-year-old Pennsylvania man was able to ascend undetected to a roof near a Trump rally, gain a direct line of sight and fire several rounds at the former president. Read more here. 

DHS inspector general opens investigation into Secret Service’s handling of rally

The Department of Homeland Security’s inspector general has opened an investigation into the Secret Service’s handling of the rally.

A new bulletin listed under “ongoing projects” on the DHS Office of Inspector General website said the project objective is to “evaluate the United States Secret Service’s (Secret Service) process for securing former President Trump’s July 13, 2024 campaign event.”

Senators to be briefed Wednesday

Senators will receive an unclassified, all-senator briefing via phone call Wednesday afternoon, according to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s office.

The Secret Service, FBI and Department of Justice will address the senators.

The House will also have an unclassified, all-member virtual briefing Wednesday afternoon, multiple sources said.

Authorities detail how they suspect the gunman reached roof; motive still a mystery

Authorities suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks, the man they allege tried to assassinate former President Trump, was able to access the roof by climbing over an air conditioning unit adjacent to the building, sources tell ABC News. Though law enforcement sources say Crooks is believed to have purchased a 5-foot ladder at a Home Depot before the shooting, it does not appear to have been used to climb on the roof and was not found at the scene.

Investigators found a remote transmitter in the suspect’s pocket that may have been intended to set off two suspicious devices found in the suspect’s car and one in his home, according to law enforcement sources.

Devices at both locations were similarly constructed in ammunition containers using components including receivers that appear to have been paired with the remote control found in the suspect’s pocket, sources said.

The receivers in each device were connected to a series of components that investigators say met the “eye test” — having parts present that could have made viable devices, although the functionality of the devices is still being determined. The purpose of the devices is also unknown. Whether they were intended to cause a significant blast effect and hurt people or if they were designed to create smoke, fire and a low-grade blast for a diversion is unclear.

Investigators also found a tactical vest in the suspect’s car, though it is unclear why he did not wear it during the assault on the former president’s rally. Some investigators are wondering whether he anticipated dying in the attack.

The shooter also asked his employer if he could take a day off on Saturday but said he would return to work perhaps as soon as Sunday, the day after this attack, according to law enforcement sources. But thus far, investigators have turned up nothing to suggest that he had any accomplices or other support to carry out his deadly objective.

An examination of his phone, which the FBI has now unlocked, has not turned up any significant information about the suspect’s motives — only what sources described as “routine” information for a 20-year-old male. Thus far, investigators have turned up nothing to suggest that he had any accomplices or other support to carry out his deadly objective.

-ABC News’ Jack Date, Luke Barr, Pierre Thomas, Aaron Katersky

Butler County Sheriff tells ABC News he was not aware of suspect before shooting

Butler County Sheriff Michael Slupe spoke with ABC News on Tuesday about the response to the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump.

When asked whether he heard radio traffic about a suspicious person at or near the rally ahead of the shooting, Slupe said, “I did not, and I wish I did.”

Slupe said he attended Saturday’s rally along with a number of his deputies.

He said that his office does not have a team of snipers, but that there is an emergency service unit “attached to” the Butler County District Attorney’s Office that is made up of officers from different agencies around the county.

Slupe said he did not know exactly how many of these emergency service officers were on the scene on Saturday.

Slupe defended the response by his deputies and called for the public to avoid passing judgment until the investigations conclude, noting that his office is not facilitating these probes.

“There’s several investigations going on, and at the end of the day, we’re all going to learn something from this,” Slupe said.

-ABC News’ Jared Kofsky and Tonya Simpson

Family of critically injured rally victim releases statement

The family of James Copenhaver, one of the two men critically injured in the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, released a statement Tuesday, thanking the public for their “outpouring of support.”

“Jim would like to especially thank the first responders, medics, and hospital staff who have provided him with initial and continuing care,” the statement read. “Additionally, Jim would like to express his thoughts and prayers for the other victims, their families, and President Trump. He prays for a safe and speedy recovery for them all.”

Copenhaver, 74, of Moon Township, Pennsylvania, “remains in critical but stable condition” as of Tuesday afternoon. He is being treated at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh.

His family has requested privacy as he recovers.

“The Copenhaver family would like to thank you for your continued thoughts, prayers, and support as Jim and his family recover from this horrible, senseless, and unnecessary act of violence,” they said.

Scalise says Secret Service director should resign

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise said he believes Secret Service Director Kim Cheatle should resign.

“I’ve been very disappointed in her and her lack of candor,” Scalise told Politico. “I think the American people need to see whatever the answers are. Tough questions, you got to take the tough questions. You take a position like that … you can’t have a bad day.”

Scalise said the Secret Service “should have been out publicly right away” and addressing the press after the shooting.

“You had the local law enforcement giving a press conference, frankly, being asked questions that the head of the Secret Service should have been asked,” he said. “And she, you know, kind of was nowhere to be found during that period, and yet they took those tough questions. She’s got to answer tough questions. You can’t hide from them.”

Scalise was shot and wounded at a congressional baseball practice in 2017.

-ABC News’ Mike Pappano

Trump has spoken to relative of man killed at rally

Former President Donald Trump has spoken to a family member of Corey Comperatore, the 50-year-old firefighter who was killed at Saturday’s rally, a source told ABC News.

Comperatore leaves behind a wife and two daughters. His funeral is set for Thursday.

-ABC News’ Rachel Scott

State police provided ‘all resources’ Secret Service asked for

The Pennsylvania State Police said it provided “all resources” the Secret Service asked for ahead of Saturday’s rally.

The Secret Service’s requests included about 30 to 40 troopers to help secure the inside perimeter, the state police said.

The state police said it “was not responsible for securing the building or property at AGR International,” which was the building from which the shooter fired from the roof.

Trump’s Secret Service protection had been increased prior to assassination attempt due to Iran threat: Sources

The Secret Service in recent weeks had increased Donald Trump’s security detail due to intelligence indicating there was an Iranian threat to assassinate the former president, according to three officials familiar with the matter.

There is no indication the plot was related to Saturday’s shooting.

The sources have suggested Iran has been making these types of threats since the assassination of Iranian military officer Qasem Soleimani in January 2020.

-ABC News’ Luke Barr, Katherine Faulders, Aaron Katersky and Shannon Kingston

Oversight chairman to issue subpoena to ensure Secret Service director attends Monday’s hearing

House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer will issue a subpoena for Secret Service Director Kim Cheatle to ensure she attends the committee’s hearing on Monday, July 22, a committee spokeswoman said.

“While the Secret Service confirmed Director Cheatle is expected to appear,” Comer will issue a subponea “to head off any attempt by [the Department of Homeland Security] to backtrack on her appearance,” the spokeswoman said in a statement. “Director Cheatle must answer to Congress and the American people about the historic failure that occurred on her watch.”

In the days since the attack, Cheatle and the Secret Service have faced heightening scrutiny for failing to prevent the incident from happening, and even calls from some to resign. Cheatle said she would not resign from her role.

-ABC News’ Lauren Peller and Will Steakin

Trump Jr. recalls moment he learned father was shot

Donald Trump Jr. said he was fishing with his daughter on Saturday when his fiancée, Kimberly Guilfoyle, called to tell him that his father was shot.

“Kim calls me [and said], ‘Your father was shot,'” Trump Jr. recounted during a fireside chat with Axios.

But she had no other information to give, he said.

“It was 90 minutes before I even knew he was alive,” Trump Jr. said.

Trump Jr. said then he was able to speak to his father on the phone.

“Considering the heaviness of that moment, sort of gave me a window for some levity and. you know, I asked him, ‘Well, most importantly, like, how’s the hair?'” he said.

Trump Jr. said his father responded, “The hair is fine … a lot of blood in it, but it’s fine.”

“It was a heavy couple of hours, just that unknown,” Trump Jr. said. “And then you finally find everything’s OK, and then you sit down, and you start seeing the video when you’re watching the news. And it was like, the adrenaline dump leaves, you know. Sort of amazing how calm I was first, and then, it’s like, once that goes — ‘poof.'”

Trump Jr. said he believes his father is a changed man after the shooting.

“There are events that change you for a couple minutes and there’s events that change you permanently,” he said.

He also said he believes that there was a breach in security procedures at Saturday’s rally.

-ABC News’ Lalee Ibssa, Soorin Kim and Kelsey Walsh

Biden received new Homeland Security briefing Tuesday

President Joe Biden received an updated Homeland Security briefing on Tuesday from national security adviser Jake Sullivan and Homeland Security Adviser Liz Sherwood-Randall, according to the White House.

Trump to hold 1st rally since shooting on Saturday in Michigan

Former President Donald Trump will hold his first rally since the assassination attempt this Saturday, July 20, at an arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan, his campaign said.

Trump’s vice presidential pick, Sen. J.D. Vance, will also appear at the rally.

House Homeland Security Committee chairman calls on Secret Service director, FBI director, Mayorkas to testify

House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mark Green, R-Texas, is calling on Secret Service Director Kim Cheatle, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas and FBI Director Christopher Wray to testify before the committee on Tuesday, July 23.

“The American people want answers,” Green said in a statement. “It is imperative that we partner to understand what went wrong, and how Congress can work with the departments and agencies to ensure this never happens again.”

Cheatle is expected to testify before the GOP-led House Oversight Committee on Monday, July 22.

Injured victim shot in chest, liver; out of medically induced coma

One of the men injured in Saturday’s shooting, 57-year-old David Dutch, was shot in the chest and liver, according to the Marine Corps League of Pennsylvania.

Dutch is no longer in a medically induced coma and has been upgraded from critical to stable condition, the organization said.

Dutch is a former Marine who serves as commandant of his Marine Corps League detachment, the organization said.

The other injured victim, 74-year-old James Copenhaver, has also been upgraded from critical to stable condition, officials said.

-ABC News’ Alex Presha

Trump: Bullet ‘sounded like the world’s largest mosquito’

In a private phone call with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., former President Donald Trump said the bullet “sounded like the world’s largest mosquito.”

RFK Jr.’s son posted on X a video of the call, which was filmed from what looks to be RFK Jr.’s hotel room. RFK Jr. had Trump on speaker phone.

The younger Kennedy, Bobby Kennedy III, removed the post after his father said on X that he was “mortified” it became public.

Trump also told RFK Jr. about the phone call he received from President Joe Biden after Saturday’s assassination attempt.

“It was very nice, actually. He called me, and he said, ‘How did you choose to move to the right?’ [Inaudible] Everybody’s looking straight on,” Trump said. “I said, ‘I was just showing a chart.'”

-ABC News’ Will McDuffie

Feds warn of possible ‘follow-on or retaliatory’ attacks

The Department of Homeland Security and the FBI have issued a bulletin to law enforcement across the country warning them that, in the wake of Saturday’s shooting, violent extremists could try to conduct “follow-on or retaliatory” attacks at events over the next few months related to the 2024 presidential election.

The bulletin urged local, state and federal law enforcement — and their partners — to remain vigilant and report any suspicious behavior.

The bulletin also said that “lone actors” or small groups of extremists “likely will continue to view” political rallies and campaign events as “attractive targets.”

Gunman planned to attend local 4-year university this fall

Thomas Matthew Crooks, the 20-year-old suspected gunman, planned to attend Robert Morris University this fall, according to a school spokesperson.

Robert Morris University is a private, four-year university located outside of Pittsburgh.

“We have been in touch with law enforcement and stand ready to assist in their investigation,” school spokesperson Brian Edwards said.

Crooks had earned his associate degree in science from a local community college and graduated in May with high honors.

He was accepted into both RMU and the University of Pittsburgh, a public-research university also a close drive from his home in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania.

A spokesperson for the University of Pittsburgh said Crooks was told in February that he could attend this fall semester as a transfer student. In March, Crooks informed Pitt that he would not attend.

-ABC News’ Anne Flaherty

Suspected gunman purchased 50 rounds of ammunition day of shooting: Officials

The suspected gunman who attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump at his campaign rally Saturday purchased 50 rounds of ammunition ahead of the event, according to a bulletin from the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI Monday.

Thomas Matthew Crooks purchased the rounds from a gun and ammunition shop in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, according to officials.

The bulletin notes that two improvised explosive devices were found in the shooter’s car and one at his home.

“Over the last several months, Crooks received several packages, including some marked as possibly containing hazardous material, according to a review of his shipping history,” officials wrote.

Officials also warn of future “follow-on or retaliatory acts of violence in response to this assassination attempt.”

“We cannot rule out the possibility that some DVEs (Domestic violent extremists) or other actors may attempt follow-on or retaliatory acts of violence in response to this assassination attempt.”

-ABC News’ Mike Levine

Suspected Trump shooter graduated from community college with ‘high honors’

Thomas Matthew Crooks, the suspected gunman in the deadly campaign rally shooting Saturday, did not have any disciplinary problems while attending community college and graduated with “high honors,” the school said in a statement Monday.

Crooks, 20, graduated from Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) in May of this year and majored in Engineering Science, according to the college.

“This individual graduated from CCAC with high honors on May 16, 2024, and was conferred an Associate in Science degree,” spokesperson Dena Rose Buzila said in a statement. “In addition, based upon our preliminary review, CCAC has no records relating to any disciplinary, student conduct or security-related incidents involving the identified individual.”

Trump family member will attend shooting victim Corey Comperatore’s funeral

Eric Trump said there is “no question” that a Trump family member will attend the funeral of Corey Comperatore, who was shot and killed at the campaign rally on Saturday.

During an interview with Fox News on Monday night at the Republican National Convention, Eric called Comperatore’s death “unthinkable,” adding, “This is a person who loved Donald Trump, his family. He jumped on his children. It’s unthinkable what happened there.”

Comperatore, 50, was a firefighter and a father of two daughters, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said Sunday. He was from Sarver, Pennsylvania.

Comperatore “died a hero” when he “dove on his family” to protect them from the gunfire during the rally, his wife said, according to Shapiro.

Eric Trump said that the GoFundMe page created for Comperatore’s family was close to reaching $5 million.

Eric Trump indicates Secret Service director should step down after shooting

In his first interview since Donald Trump was shot at a rally Saturday, Eric Trump was asked if U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle should stay in her position.

“The head [of the Secret Service]? No, they should have had more resources,” Trump said.

“Listen, at the end of the day, we can’t get past the fact that somebody should not have gotten on a roof 130 yards away from the president of the United States — you know, ex-president of the United States, and soon to be president of the United States, with a high power rifle; that’s inexcusable,” Trump said.

Speaking with ABC News Chief Justice Correspondent Pierre Thomas, Cheatle called the shooting “unacceptable,” saying, “it’s something that shouldn’t happen again.”

In the days since the attack, Cheatle and the Secret Service have faced heightening scrutiny for failing to prevent the incident from happening, and even calls from some to resign.

Cheatle said she would not resign from her role.

Biden addresses trajectory of 2024 election after assassination attempt on Trump

President Joe Biden weighed in on if the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump will impact the trajectory of the 2024 election.

In an interview with NBC’s Lester Holt, Biden was asked if he believes that this shooting has “changed the trajectory of this race,” to which Biden said, “I don’t know. And you don’t know either.”

“I’ve thought less about the trajectory of the race than two things. One, what his [Trump] health is. That was secure. Number one. And number two, what happens from here on in terms of the kind of coverage that the president and vice president and former president and new vice president get,” Biden said.

The president was also asked about his phone call with Trump after this past weekend’s shooting, which he described as a “very cordial” conversation.

“I told him how concerned I was and wanted to make sure I knew how he was actually doing. He sounded good. He said he was fine. And he thanked me for calling him. I told him he was literally in the prayers of Jill and me and I hoped his whole family was weathering this,” Biden said.

-ABC News’ Justin Gomez

Secret Service director says police were inside building shooter was positioned on

In her first network interview since the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle offered insight into the logistics surrounding the deadly shooting Saturday.

“It was unacceptable,” she said in an interview Monday with ABC News Chief Justice Correspondent Pierre Thomas. “And it’s something that shouldn’t happen again.”

Cheatle said that local authorities were tasked with securing the building where the alleged shooter fired the shots before being taken out by a Secret Service sniper, and confirmed that local police were present inside the building while the shooter was on the roof.

“In this particular instance, we did share support for that particular site and that the Secret Service was responsible for the inner perimeter,” Cheatle said. “And then we sought assistance from our local counterparts for the outer perimeter. There was local police in that building — there was local police in the area that were responsible for the outer perimeter of the building.”

She is expected to testify before the GOP-led House Oversight Committee next Monday, July 22.

-ABC News’ Julia Reinstein

Trump tells ABC News assassination attempt had ‘impact’

Former President Donald Trump shared an update with ABC News’ Jonathan Karl on how his right ear is recovering and said the assassination attempt at his campaign rally Saturday had “impact.”

When asked if the close call to the bullet striking his head “changed him,” Trump said, “I don’t like to think about that, but, yes, I think has an impact.”

Trump said his ear is doing fine and that he hopes the bandage will be off by the time he speaks on Thursday at the Republican National Convention.

Mayorkas announces independent review

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas announced an independent review of the shooting and said it will be launched in “days.”

“We are, indeed, in the process of selecting who will lead the independent review. The findings indeed will be made public,” he said. “It is very important that we achieve transparency so that the American people have confidence in the work of the review and its findings and recommendations. And we need to move with swiftness and urgency, because this is a security imperative.”

Mayorkas said he was committed to going “externally of the government” so that “no question of its independence can be raised.”

Mayorkas told reporters he has “100% confidence” in Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle, and White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said President Joe Biden also has confidence in the director.

Biden told reporters Monday that he has faith in his own Secret Service detail and faith in the agency.

-ABC News’ Justin Ryan Gomez

Secret Service protection increased for Trump, adjusted for Biden

Secret Service protection has been increased for former President Donald Trump, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said.

The enhancement is “based on the evolving nature of threats to the former president and his imminent shift from presumptive nominee to nominee,” Mayorkas said. “This includes enhancements related to securing the former president during the Republican National Convention this week. I cannot discuss specifics … as they involve sensitive tactics and procedures. I can say, however, that personnel and other protective resources, technology and capabilities have been added.”

“Adjustments” have also been made to President Joe Biden’s and Vice President Kamala Harris’ protective details, Mayorkas said.

-ABC News’ Justin Ryan Gomez

RFK Jr. to get Secret Service protection

Under direction from President Joe Biden, Secret Service protection will be coordinated for presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., according to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

“In light of this weekend’s events, the president has directed me to work with the Secret Service to provide protection to Robert Kennedy Jr.,” Mayorkas told reporters at Monday’s White House briefing.

Secret Service protection has also been increased for former President Donald Trump, Mayorkas said.

-ABC News’ Justin Fishel

FBI gained access to shooter’s phone, finished searching his home and car

The FBI said it’s gained access to suspected gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks’ phone and investigators are continuing to analyze his electronic devices.

Searches of Crooks’ home and car are complete, the FBI said.

The FBI said it’s continuing to investigate the shooting “as an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump and as potential domestic terrorism.”

Nearly 100 law enforcement officials, attendees and other witnesses have been interviewed, the FBI said. “That work continues,” the FBI added.

Before shooting, Crooks told his dad he was going to gun range: Source

On the day of the shooting, the 20-year-old suspected gunman, Thomas Matthew Crooks, told his father that he wanted to go to the gun range, so his dad let him use his AR-15-style rifle, according to a source familiar with the matter.

Crooks would occasionally go target shooting and use his father’s gun, the source told ABC News. Since this wasn’t an unusual occurrence, the father didn’t think anything of it at the time, the source said.

Crooks recently purchased ammunition both online and in person, the source said.

-ABC News’ Mike Levine

Secret Service director to address House Oversight Committee on July 22

Secret Service Director Kim Cheatle will address the GOP-led House Committee on Oversight and Accountability at 10 a.m. on Monday, July 22.

“The United States Secret Service has a no-fail mission, yet it failed on Saturday,” committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., said in a statement Monday.

“Americans demand answers from Director Kimberly Cheatle about these security lapses and how we can prevent this from happening again,” he said.

Building where gunman was found was officer staging area

The building where gunman Thomas Crooks scrambled onto the roof and opened fire was the staging area for the local police tactical team doing overwatch of the crowd, two law enforcement officials told ABC News.

Sources previously told ABC News that the building had been swept, but investigators are trying to determine whether roof access had been properly locked down.

The gunman gained roof access without a ladder, according to a source briefed on the preliminary findings.

-ABC News’ Josh Margolin and Aaron Katersky

Police looked toward roof full minute before shots fired, video shows

New video licensed by ABC News shows police investigating near the building where the gunman was perched on the roof a full minute before shots rang out.

In one video, at approximately 6:10 p.m. and 26 seconds, police look onto the roof as a man in white shorts points toward the building.

The next clip begins just before 6:11 p.m. Bystanders are seen fleeing the area and the first gunshots are heard about 30 seconds into the video.

-ABC News’ Victor Ordoñez and Christopher Looft

Security planners reassessed plans for Biden’s visit to Vegas

Security planners have reassessed and reexamined their plans for President Joe Biden’s visit to Las Vegas this week in light of Saturday’s shooting, a senior official briefed on the matter told ABC News.

Officials expect that there will be a heightened level of security and additional federal agents on site in Las Vegas, the official said.

Biden will be in Las Vegas from Monday to Wednesday for several events.

-ABC News’ Josh Margolin

Trump calls for RFK Jr. to receive Secret Service protection

Former President Donald Trump posted on social media that presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. should have Secret Service protection “in light of what is going on in the world today” and “Given the history of the Kennedy Family.”

Last year, Kennedy said his request for Secret Service protection had been denied.

Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., and Rep. Ritchie Torres, D-N.Y., said Sunday that they plan to introduce a bipartisan bill that would provide “enhanced Secret Service protection” for President Joe Biden, Trump and RFK Jr.

-ABC News’ Lalee Ibssa, Soorin Kim and Kelsey Walsh

Cruz calls for Secret Service director’s resignation

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, called for Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle to resign in a post on X on Monday.

Other Republican lawmakers have called on Cheatle to provide testimony, documents and explanations for the security posture that led to Saturday’s assassination attempt. Multiple committees have launched investigations and Cheatle has accepted an invitation to appear for a public hearing in the House next week.

Cruz’s social media post also called for Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas’ resignation, though this is not the first time that Cruz has called for Mayorkas to step down. He previously made similar calls over Mayorkas’ management of the southern border.

-ABC News’ Allie Pecorin

Biden receiving security update in Situation Room

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are receiving a security update in the Situation Room Monday morning, according to the White House.

Among the officials providing updates are Attorney General Merrick Garland, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and FBI Director Christopher Wray. Secret Service Director Kim Cheatle and Secret Service Deputy Director Ronald Rowe are participating in the meeting virtually, the White House said.

Secret Service director to appear for public hearing in House next week

The House Oversight Committee will receive a briefing from the Secret Service on Tuesday, a source told ABC News.

Secret Service Director Kim Cheatle is then expected to appear for a public hearing in the House on July 22, the source added, citing conversations with the Secret Service. House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer said on Fox News Monday morning that he’s “100% confident” the hearing with Cheatle will happen.

The Secret Service will also brief GOP committee members later on Monday, a source familiar with House Committee on Homeland Security told ABC News.

-ABC News’ Lauren Peller

Jill Biden spoke with Melania Trump

First lady Jill Biden spoke with former first lady Melania Trump by phone on Sunday afternoon, a White House official told ABC News.

The White House did not share any further details about the call.

-ABC News’ Lauren Peller and Molly Nagle

Direct line of sight ‘should not occur,’ Mayorkas says

The gunman who fired on former President Donald Trump on Saturday should never have been able to get a “direct line” of sight, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said.

“A direct line of sight like that to the former president should not occur,” Mayorkas told ABC News’ on “Good Morning America” on Monday. “That’s why president Biden directed an independent review of the incident.”

“We have to learn everything about the assailant … and we are going to really study the event independently and make recommendations to the Secret Service,” he said.

Secret Service director announces changes for Trump security detail

The U.S. Secret Service has added additional security to former President Donald Trump’s detail ahead of the Republican National Convention, the agency’s director, Kimberly Cheatle, said in a statement on Monday.

“In addition to the additional security enhancements we provided former President Trump’s detail in June, we have also implemented changes to his security detail since Saturday to ensure his continued protection for the convention and the remainder of the campaign,” Cheatle said.

The former president will have additional tactical officers, including SWAT, added to his detail, along with other updates, a law enforcement source told ABC News.

-ABC News’ Pierre Thomas

Amid scrutiny, Secret Service director says she welcomes independent review

U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle said her agency welcomes the independent review announced by President Joe Biden.

“We understand the importance of the independent review announced by President Biden yesterday and will participate fully,” Cheatle said in a statement issued on Monday. “We will also work with the appropriate Congressional committees on any oversight action.”

Questions have been raised about how the suspect in the assassination attempt was able to climb on top of a roof near former President Donald Trump’s rally on Saturday.

“The Secret Service is working with all involved Federal, state and local agencies to understand what happened, how it happened, and how we can prevent an incident like this from ever taking place again,” Cheatle said.

-ABC News’ Pierre Thomas and Kevin Shalvey

Trump Media shares spike in pre-market trading

Shares of Trump Media & Technology Group, a company majority owned by former President Donald Trump, rose about 50% in early trading.

The stock, which is traded under the DJT ticker, climbed to about $45 a share in pre-market trading on Monday, the first day the market will be open after the attempted assassination.

-ABC News’ Kevin Shalvey

King Charles sends Trump private letter

King Charles wrote a private letter to former President Donald Trump on Sunday, Buckingham Palace said in a statement.

The correspondence was delivered via the U.K. Embassy in Washington, D.C., the palace said on Monday.

“We do not divulge contents of such private correspondence, but safe to surmise that the sentiments are in keeping with those communicated by the PM,” the palace said, a reference to Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

The prime minister said Sunday he was “appalled” by the assassination attempt.

-ABC News’ Zoe Magee

Trump praises Secret Service, says Biden call was ‘very nice’

Former President Donald Trump praised Secret Service agents who acted quickly to protect him and get him offstage following the attempt on his life at his Saturday rally in Pennsylvania.

“They did a fantastic job,” he said in an interview with the New York Post on Sunday.

Reflecting on the shooting, Trump said, “I’m not supposed to be here, I’m supposed to be dead.”

Trump praised the crowd at his rally for how they reacted in the moment.

“A lot of places, especially soccer games, you hear a single shot, everybody runs. Here there were many shots and they stayed,” he said, adding, “I love them. They are such great people.”

In the interview, which the Post reported also included a reporter from the Washington Examiner, Trump addressed the call he received from President Joe Biden saying it was “very nice.”

Sen. Lindsey Graham, who the Post reported was on the flight with Trump, said of the former president, “He feels like he has a new lease on life.”

FBI investigation remains very active, still no motive

The FBI says its investigation into the assassination attempt on former Donald Trump remains very active.

An official who spoke to ABC News late Sunday night said that while the evidence currently points toward a lone wolf shooter, the FBI will not be comfortable until they fully exploit the suspect’s phone and dig deeper into his life.

In a statement Sunday night, the FBI said in a statement it “continues to conduct logical investigative activity to determine if there were any co-conspirators associated with this attack.”

Additionally, the FBI said a motive for the shooting still has not been identified.

-ABC News’ Pierre Thomas

Trump will deliver ‘whole different speech’ at RNC after shooting

A day after being grazed by a bullet in an attempted assassination, former president Donald Trump said he plans to take advantage of the moment and deliver a message of unity to meet the moment.

“The speech I was going to give on Thursday was going to be a humdinger,” Trump said as he boarded his flight en route to the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. “Honestly, it’s going to be a whole different speech now.”

“It is a chance to bring the country together. I was given that chance,” Trump added.

He said that many people from the political spectrum have called him over the past 24 hours and described the moment he turned his head on stage to look at the screen, which ultimately could have saved his life.

“That reality is just setting in,” Trump said. “I rarely look away from the crowd. Had I not done that in that moment, well, we would not be talking today, would we?”

The world has now seen the image of the former president raising his fist with blood on his ear, and Trump said he did that because he wanted the country to know he was going to be OK. He wanted the Pennsylvania crowd to know that “America goes on, we go forward, that we are strong.”

Trump recalled, “The energy coming from the people there in that moment, they just stood there; it’s hard to describe what that felt like, but I knew the world was looking. I knew that history would judge this, and I knew I had to let them know we are OK.”

-ABC News’ Kelsey Walsh

Trump underwent a precautionary CT scan after shooting: Sources

Former President Donald Trump underwent a precautionary CT scan after he was shot on the upper ear during his campaign event Saturday, sources told ABC News.

The scan came back clear, sources said.

Trump is in Milwaukee Sunday ahead of the Republican National Convention that begins Monday.

-ABC News’ Aaron Katersky

Rep. Ronny Jackson claims Trump is ‘unfazed’ by assassination attempt

Rep. Ronny Jackson of Texas, who says his nephew was injured while in the crowd during Trump’s Saturday rally, told ABC News Trump is “completely unfazed” by the assassination attempt.

“He’s normal Trump,” Jackson said in Milwaukee Sunday night, adding that the former president is “really motivated and fired up” after the shooting.

Jackson also said Trump was feeling good about being in Milwaukee for the Republican National Convention.

“He could have not come today based on what happened yesterday, but he wants to make sure that we stick to the schedule. He committed to some stuff today, and he’s here,” he said.

Suspected rally gunman was member of local shooting club

The man suspected of taking aim at former President Donald Trump Saturday night was a member of a local shooting club, counsel for the club confirms to ABC News.

Thomas Crooks belonged to Clairton Sportsmen’s Club, in Clairton, Pennsylvania, roughly 12 miles south of Pittsburgh, which has a variety of shooting ranges.

“I can confirm that Mr. Crooks was a member of Clairton Sportsmen’s Club,” Robert S. Bootay III, attorney for the club, said in a statement.

“Beyond that, the Club is unable to make any additional commentary in relation to this matter in light of pending law enforcement investigations,” Bootay continued.

“Obviously, the Club fully admonishes the senseless act of violence that occurred yesterday. The Club also offers its sincerest condolences to the Comperatore family and extends prayers to all of those injured including the former President,” he said.

-ABC News’ Sasha Pezenik

Biden says politics can never become a ‘killing field’ after Trump rally shooting

President Joe Biden spoke directly to the nation Sunday, saying the political landscape cannot be a “killing field” after the assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump Saturday.

“Disagreement is inevitable in American democracy,” Biden said, adding, “It’s part of human nature.”

“But politics must never be a literal battlefield or God forbid, a killing field,” Biden continued.

“I believe politics ought to be an arena for peaceful debate, to pursue justice, to make decisions guided by the Declaration of Independence and our constitution we stand for in America, not of extremism and fury, but of decency and grace,” Biden added.

During his address, Biden said that he spoke on the phone with Trump following the attack and that he’s “grateful” Trump was not seriously injured and doing well.

Biden ended his speech with a call for unity, saying, “Let’s remember we are the United States of America.”

“There is nothing, nothing, nothing beyond our capacity when we do it together,” he added.

Donald Trump photographed in Milwaukee ahead of RNC

Former President Donald Trump was photographed as he disembarked from his plane that landed in Milwaukee, Wisconsin Sunday.

Trump can be seen in the photos with his fist raised on the plane’s stairs.

The former president is in Milwaukee ahead of the 2024 Republican National Convention that is set to kick off Monday, just two days after an assassination attempt on Saturday.

During the attack at his campaign rally in Pennsylvania, Trump was wounded by a gunshot to the top of his right ear. He was treated at a local hospital after the attack.

FBI in possession of 3 firearms from campaign event shooting: Sources

Law enforcement sources tell ABC News that the FBI is currently in possession of three firearms from Saturday’s shooting and defense of the former president.

The firearms include one belonging to the shooter, one belonging to the Secret Service agent who shot and killed the shooter and the other belonging to a Butler County Sheriff’s Deputy who was involved in the shooting.

-ABC News’ Luke Barr

Assassination attempt on Trump expected to be ‘exploited’ by misinformation: NYPD

The assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump “will likely be amplified in extremist messaging and heavily exploited by malicious actors,” according to an NYPD intelligence product obtained by ABC News.

The misinformation surrounding the attack is “aimed at fomenting division,” according to the Sunday bulletin.

“In the immediate hours after the shooting took place, multiple users on numerous online messaging platforms responded to the incident with support for the attack, overt calls for civil war, hostile rhetoric against FPOTUS Trump, threats against elected officials and generalized calls for retaliatory violence,” according to the bulletin.

Sources have said there has been an uptick in threats to elected officials around the country as a result of the attack.

-ABC News’ Luke Barr

Donald Trump’s plane lands in Milwaukee ahead of RNC

Donald Trump’s plane landed at Milwaukee International Airport Sunday evening ahead of the Republican National Convention.

Trump’s highly anticipated appearance at the RNC on Monday comes just two days after the assassination attempt of him at Saturday’s campaign rally in Pennsylvania.

Police spotted suspected shooter before attack on campaign event

Authorities outside the security perimeter of Donald Trump’s campaign event Saturday were alerted there was a man acting suspiciously before the shooting.

Local and state police, responsible for security outside that perimeter, began to search for a potential suspect, multiple sources briefed on the probe tell ABC News.

Within minutes, law enforcement spotted the suspected gunman on the roof, sources said.

It is unclear as of now, according to sources, whether this information was passed along to the U.S. Secret Service, which is responsible and focused on the security of the former president and the crowed inside the security zone.

A police officer saw the suspect on a rooftop and attempted to make it to the roof to engage the shooter, police sources said.

That officer was threatened when the gunman pointed his rifle at the cop, according to sources, who add that effort did not succeed as, moments later, shots rang out, targeting Trump.

-ABC News’ Josh Margolin

Biden to give ‘forceful’ address to nation tonight, continue campaigning next week

President Joe Biden will deliver “a forceful and needed” address to the nation Sunday evening following the assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump on Saturday, a campaign official told ABC News.

Biden will address the “horrifying attack” and urge “every American to come together to not just condemn, but put to an end political violence in this country once and for all,” the official said.

In light of Saturday’s shooting, Biden’s campaign said they were “pausing all outbound communications and working to pull down our television ads as quickly as possible.”

The campaign official said next week, “The DNC and the campaign will continue drawing the contrast between our positive vision for the future and Trump and Republicans’ backwards-looking agenda over the course of the week.”

Suspicious devices found as investigators search for motive

In the ongoing investigation into the attempted assassination of Donald Trump Saturday, FBI officials said “suspicious devices” were found in the suspected shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks’ car and home.

Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Kevin Rojek said there was a suspicious device found in the suspect’s car and agents were trying to determine what it is.

Another was found in his home, Rojek said, and both were described as rudimentary.

Crooks had no known history of mental illness, per the FBI. His family is cooperating with investigators.

Milwaukee PD addresses state gun laws ahead of RNC

Milwaukee police said they don’t have the authority to ban guns in the areas surrounding the Republican National Convention.

“Local ordinances in the state of Wisconsin do not supersede state law,” Milwaukee Police Assistant Chief Steven Johnson said during a press briefing Sunday with the U.S. Secret Service, noting that because Wisconsin is an open carry state, no jurisdiction can supersede that state law.

“Folks should be aware of that,” Johnson added.

RNC Coordinator Audrey Gibson told reporters that security officials took steps to “ban items they could ban” within the perimeter of the RNC, but “in terms of banning weapons in the outer perimeter, that is not within our purview,” she said.

Secret Service not expanding perimeter for RNC: Officials

During a press briefing Sunday, U.S. Secret Service officials addressed the assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump and the upcoming Republican National Convention following Saturday’s shooting.

“This is a national security event and that designation is the highest level that the federal government can determine,” RNC coordinator Audrey Gibson said.

“We are confident in the security plans in place for this event and we’re ready to go, it’s been an 18-month process,” Gibson continued, adding, “We’ve worked together to develop operational security plans for any and all access of security.”

Officials explained that the current Secret Service inner perimeter plan is the “largest inner perimeter that has been part of the convention” and that plans did not change following Saturday’s shooting.

Officials said there are no known articulated threats against the RNC.

Suspected shooter worked as dietary aide at nursing and rehab center

The man suspected of shooting Donald Trump was employed as a dietary aide at the Bethel Park Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, according to administrator Marcie Grimm.

Thomas Matthew Crooks “performed his job without concern” and passed a background check, according to Grimm.

Bethel Park Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center said it’s cooperating with law enforcement in their investigation.

-ABC News’ Laura Romero and Peter Charalambous

Suspect had no known mental illness history, his family is cooperating

Authorities “have not identified an ideology associated” with the suspected shooter, Thomas Crooks, FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Kevin Rojek told reporters on a call on Sunday.

“We’re looking into his background, his day-to-day activities, any writings and social media posts that might help us identify what led to this shooting. And we have not seen anything threatening,” Rojek said.

Crooks had no known mental illness history, he said.

Crooks’ family is cooperating with federal authorities, officials said.

Offifcials told reporters they don’t have any insights on what the suspect’s actions were prior to opening fire at the shooting site, but said it’s something they are investigating.

Robert Wells, the FBI’s assistant director of the Counterterrorism Division, told reporters, “We are investigating this as an assassination attempt, but also looking at as a potential domestic terrorism act.”

The FBI has received more than 2,000 tips, according to Rojek.

Crooks’ gun and phone will be transported to the FBI lab in Quantico, Virginia, officials said.

Rojek also confirmed there was a suspicious device that was found in the suspect’s car and said the FBI is still analyzing what it is. Another device was found in the suspect’s home, according to the FBI. Rojek described both the devices as rudimentary.

The FBI is seeing an increase of violent threats online in the aftermath of the assassination attempt, FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate said.

“We’ve seen individuals go online and attempt to mimic or pose as the shooter who obviously is now deceased,” Abbate said. “We’re also focused on the continuing efforts, which were already substantial, given that there are national special security events on the upcoming conventions in Chicago, in Milwaukee, to work with Secret Service in the lead to play our part in protecting the people and the facilities and events there, as well.”

FBI Director Christopher Wray called the assassination attempt an “attack on our democracy.”

“An attempt to assassinate a presidential candidate can only be described as absolutely despicable and will not be tolerated in this country,” Wray told reporters.

-ABC News’ Pierre Thomas, Aaron Katersky, Jack Date and Luke Barr

Shooting suspect was rejected from high school rifle club

The man suspected of shooting Donald Trump previously sought to join his high school’s rifle club, but was rejected and asked not to return, two students who were members of the team at the time told ABC News.

The suspect, Thomas Crooks, attended what was described as “preseason” for the rifle club, which is held before tryouts, but he did not make it to the tryouts, the two team members said. Both students said Crooks was a “bad shot,” with one adding that he wasn’t the right “fit.”

“He didn’t just not make the team — he was asked not to come back because how bad of a shot he was. It was considered like, dangerous,” classmate Jameson Myers told ABC News.

“On the first day of preseason, he basically couldn’t even hit the target,” Myers said.

The team’s coach declined to comment and referred questions to the school district. A spokesman for the school district did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

-ABC News’ Olivia Rubin

2 injured victims upgraded to stable condition

The two people injured in Saturday’s shooting have been upgraded from critical condition to stable condition, according to the Pennsylvania State Police.

Police identified 57-year-old David Dutch, of New Kensington, Pennsylvania, and 74-year-old James Copenhaver, of Moon Township, Pennsylvania, as the injured shooting victims.

Killed in the shooting was Corey Comperatore, 50, of Sarver, Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of Comperatore, a firefighter who leaves behind a wife and two daughters.

No motive known, Biden says

President Joe Biden said he had a “short but good conversation” with former President Donald Trump on Saturday night in the wake of the shooting.

“I am sincerely grateful that he’s doing well and recovering,” Biden said in an address to the nation on Sunday.

No motive is known, Biden said, and he urged the public to not make assumptions.

Biden said he will speak from the Oval Office on Sunday night.

Biden rescheduling Monday trip to Texas

President Joe Biden is rescheduling his Monday trip to Austin, Texas, where he was scheduled to deliver the keynote address at a commemoration for the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act, according to the White House.

This is Biden’s first rescheduled event in the wake of the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. It also follows Vice President Kamala Harris postponing her Tuesday campaign stop in Florida.

Biden is expected to deliver remarks to the nation at 1:30 p.m. ET Sunday.

-ABC News’ Justin Gomez

Gun traced to shooting suspect’s father, was legally purchased

The firearm recovered at the scene of the Trump assassination attempt was legally purchased by the suspect’s father, an urgent trace conducted by ATF found, according to multiple law enforcement sources.

The AR-15-style assault rifle was purchased by the suspect’s father in 2013, according to a source briefed on the investigation.

The shooter — identified by the FBI as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania — had no military affiliation, according to the Pentagon.

There were what “appeared” to be explosives in the suspect’s car, which was parked outside the Trump rally, two sources told ABC News. One source said they looked like grenades, but the sources said they were awaiting forensic results about whether the items are actually explosives.

Suspect described as ‘lonely,’ ‘quiet’

Former classmates of the suspected shooter, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, described him to ABC News as a student who was “quiet” and did not have many friends.

“He was somebody who came across as lonely a lot,” said Jameson Myers, who said he attended both elementary and high school with Crooks.

Myers described him as “more socially reserved” and someone who “didn’t have a ton of friends.”

But he said he never heard Crooks discuss politics or, specifically, Donald Trump.

“I was friends with him. He never acted, like, by any means, a political revolutionary,” Myers said. “Was a very nice, even sweet guy, from what I knew.”

Another classmate, Zoe Materkowski, said he was “just a quiet kid.”

Added Jason Kohler, a classmate: “He was a loner. He would sit alone at lunch.”

Classmate Robert Abraham described him as “smart” and “kind.”

-ABC News’ Olivia Rubin and Peter Charalambous

Biden briefing on Trump rally shooting is underway in Situation Room

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are receiving an updated briefing on the Trump rally shooting in the White House Situation Room, according to the White House.

Officials giving updates to the president include: FBI Director Christopher Wray, Attorney General Merrick Garland, Secret Service Director Kim Cheatle and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

Biden will deliver remarks at 1:30 p.m.

Biden briefing on Trump rally shooting is underway in Situation Room

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are receiving an updated briefing on the Trump rally shooting in the White House Situation Room, according to the White House.

Officials giving updates to the president include: FBI Director Christopher Wray, Attorney General Merrick Garland, Secret Service Director Kim Cheatle and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

Reps to introduce bill to enhance Secret Service protection for Trump, Biden, RFK Jr.

Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., and Rep. Ritchie Torres, D-N.Y., plan to introduce a bipartisan bill that would provide “enhanced Secret Service protection” for President Joe Biden, former President Donald Trump and presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

“Last night’s attempted assassination of former President Trump was a dark moment in our nation’s history. As reports continue to emerge, it’s clear that more protection is needed for all major candidates for president,” Torres and Lawler said in a joint statement.

No known ties to extremists

Investigators are still searching for any ties between the suspect and extremist organizations or individuals, scouring information from the suspect’s phone and other digital devices, law enforcement sources said.

The shooter was identified by the FBI as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania.

-ABC News’ Pierre Thomas

Gun traced to shooting suspect’s father, was legally purchased

The firearm recovered at the scene of the Trump assassination attempt was legally purchased by the suspect’s father, an urgent trace conducted by ATF found, according to multiple law enforcement sources.

The shooter was identified by the FBI as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania.

The suspect had no apparent military affiliation.

Authorities found items of concern inside the suspect’s car, which was parked outside the Trump rally, law enforcement sources told ABC News. Bomb technicians and other experts were called to investigate, but it is unclear if the items were suspicious or potentially harmful, the sources said.

RNC still ‘on track’

Wisconsin Republican Party Chair Brian Schimming said there are no changes, as of now, to the Republican National Convention, which begins Monday in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

“I don’t see a situation where there are massive changes. We haven’t heard anything yet. We haven’t been told anything that’s going to change,” Schimming said on “Upfront,” a show aired on WISN-TV, an ABC affiliate station.

“Everything I’ve heard so far is we’re still on track: vice presidential nomination on Wednesday night, of course, the presidential on Thursday,” he said.

Milwaukee Police Department Chief Jeffrey Norman expressed confidence in security for the convention.

“This is a national special security event. There’s no higher security that you can have for this type of event,” Norman said. “It’s important that we have that reassurance to our community, to those who are being participants, that we got this.”

When asked whether Saturday’s shooting prompted concerns about new protests, Norman said, “At this time, no, because we’re all prepared, in regards to the engagement between our law enforcement partners and also our partners in the community. We’re working out a lot of different plans.”

-ABC News’ Tommy Barone and Oren Oppenheim

Melania Trump releases statement

Former first lady Melania Trump released a statement Sunday morning, saying, “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. I am grateful to the brave secret service agents and law enforcement officials who risked their lives to protect my husband.”

“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 said. “The core facets of my husband’s life — his human side — were buried below the political machine. Donald, the generous and carrying man who I have been through the best of times and the worst of times.”

“When the time comes to look beyond the left and the right, beyond the red and the blue, we all come from families with the passion to fight for a better life together, while we are here, in this earthy realm,” she said.

She closed, “Dawn is here again. Let us reunite. Now.”

“The winds of change have arrived. For those of you who cry in support, I thank you,” she went on. “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 woman with a loving family.”

-ABC News’ Kelsey Walsh

Security looked at roof during preparations, source tells ABC News

The roof where the suspected gunman fired shots at former President Donald Trump had been surveyed during security preparations for the event, a law enforcement source told ABC News.

The roof was empty during those security preparations, the source said.

As reports of suspicious activity came in, a search was initiated, the source said. It was unclear how the suspect climbed onto the roof to quickly get off shots before a Secret Service counter-sniper located and killed him, the source said.

Officials continue on Sunday to investigate whether the dead suspect was connected to domestic extremists, the source said. The early investigation turned up no ties to international terrorism, the source said.

-ABC News’ Pierre Thomas and Luke Barr

Hawley formalizes request for Senate Homeland to investigate attack

Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., formalized his calls for the Senate Homeland Security Committee to investigate the attack on Trump in a letter to committee Chairman Gary Peters Sunday morning.

“I call on you to launch a full, public, and comprehensive committee investigation into this assassination attempt and failures to adequately protect the president,” Hawley wrote.

Because Republicans are in the minority in the Senate, Peters, D-Mich., is required to call a hearing for it to proceed.

Mike Pence condmens political violence

Former Vice President Mike Pence issued an updated statement Sunday morning condemning political violence.

“Karen and I thank God that President Trump is safe and recovering following yesterday’s attempted assassination and are grateful for the swift response by Secret Service that undoubtedly saved lives. We are praying for his full recovery and for those lost and injured in this horrific attack. There is no place in America for political violence and it must be universally condemned,” he wrote in a post on X.

-ABC News Kelsey Walsh

Johnson says ‘we’ve got to turn the rhetoric down’

House Speaker Mike Johnson on Sunday called on Americans to “turn the rhetoric down” following the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.

“This is a horrific act of political violence. It ought to be roundly condemned. Obviously, we can’t go on like this as a society,” Johnson said on NBC News’ “Today.”

“We’ve got to turn the rhetoric down. We’ve got to turn the temperature down in this country. And we need leaders of all parties on both sides to call that out.”

-ABC News’ Justin Ryan Gomez

Netanyahu: ‘Assassination attempt on American democracy’

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wished Trump a quick recovery on Sunday.

“This isn’t just a crime, it’s an assassination attempt on American democracy,” he said while speaking before a cabinet meeting in Jerusalem.

-ABC News’ Victoria Beaulé

Bethel Park School District confirms suspected gunman was an alum

The Bethel Park School District confirmed on Sunday that the suspected gunman was a graduate of Bethel Park High School and graduated with the Class of 2022.

“The school district wishes to express its sincere wishes for a speedy and full recovery for Mr. Trump and for those in attendance at the Saturday event who may have been physically harmed or emotionally impacted by these tragic events. We offer special condolences to the family of at least one attendee who was killed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time,” the district said in a statement.

-ABC News’ Sasha Pezenik

Internal Trump campaign memo asks staff to avoid offices, says 24/7 armed security will be enhanced

In an internal Trump campaign memo sent to staff, and obtained by ABC News, Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita ask staff to avoid the campaign offices in D.C. and West Palm Beach and say they’re enhancing the armed security presence with 24/7 officers on site.

Wiles and LaCivita said the Republican convention will continue as planned and asked staff not to comment publicly on what occurred.

“We condemn all forms of violence, and will not tolerate dangerous rhetoric on social media,” they said in the memo.

-ABC News’ Katherine Faulders

Trump calls for Americans to ‘stand United’ after shooting

Former President Donald Trump on Sunday called for Americans to “stand United” after an assassination attempt at his Pennsylvania rally left one person dead.

It was “God alone who prevented the unthinkable from happening,” the former president said in a post on the Truth Social platform. Trump previously said he was struck in the ear by a bullet.

Trump added, “In this moment, it is more important than ever that we stand United, and show our True Character as Americans, remaining Strong and Determined, and not allowing Evil to Win.”

-ABC News’ John Santucci and Kevin Shalvey

RNC security plans to be reexamined, senior official says

Officials on Sunday will be reexamining security plans for the Republican National Convention to determine whether any changes need to be made in light of Saturday’s assassination attempt, a senior federal official told ABC News.

The convention is scheduled to begin Monday in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Security details could be altered ahead of the event, including the number of agents and snipers deployed to the locations used by people under U.S. Secret Security protection.

Officials may also decide whether events outside the convention perimeter should be canceled, moved or have enhanced security measures.

-ABC News’ Aaron Katersky, Josh Margolin and Pierre Thomas

Trump’s daughter decries ‘political violence’

Former President Donald Trump’s daughter Tiffany said that “political violence is never the answer,” as she thanked members of the Secret Service and law enforcement for “fearlessly” intervening on Saturday.

“Please include the families of the victims in your prayers,” she said on social platform X. “As you saw today, my father is a fighter and he will continue to fight for you and the USA.”

The former president’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., said in a separate statement on social media that the shooting should “get the same attention” as the attack on the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

-ABC News’ Oren Oppenheim and Kevin Shalvey

Suspect was registered as Republican voter, state records show

Thomas Matthew Crooks, the suspect in Saturday’s shooting, was registered as a Republican voter, according to Pennsylvania records.

-ABC News’ Charlotte Slovin

‘Thought they would search the houses,’ resident near Trump rally shooting says

A Butler County resident whose house is one of the closest properties to the scene of the Trump rally shooting said she was surprised that the Secret Service did not search her home ahead of the event.

“I thought that would be something that they would do since I live so close,” Carol Kerr, 82, told ABC News by phone early Sunday morning.

Kerr’s house on Meridian Road is roughly a quarter of a mile from both the stage where the former president was speaking on Saturday and the location where the shooter is believed to have been firing from.

“I thought they would search the houses that are as close as mine is,” Kerr said. “At least check them out and see if you have anything in your house which is dangerous, which I don’t.”

-ABC News’ Jared Kofsky

FBI identifies suspected shooter

The FBI early on Sunday identified the suspected gunman as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania.

“This remains an active and ongoing investigation, and anyone with information that may assist with the investigation is encouraged to submit photos or videos online at FBI.gov/butler or call 1-800-CALL-FBI,” an FBI spokesperson said.

-ABC News’ Luke Barr and Jack Date

Suspect did not have ID, testing DNA for confirmation

While law enforcement said at a press conference late Saturday that they believe they know who carried out the shooting, they are still not naming the individual.

Officials said they are also doing DNA testing, because the suspected shooter did not have ID.

“It’s a matter of doing biometric confirmations,” FBI Special Agent in Charge Kevin Rojek said. “So, there was no identification on the individual, for example, so we’re looking at photographs right now and we’re trying to run his DNA and get biometric confirmation.”

The shooter’s name will be released once there is an official confirmation, he said.

Trump arrives in New Jersey

Trump arrives at Newark Liberty International Airport just after midnight early Sunday.

He arrived in Newark about six hours after the shooting took place.

Trump had been scheduled to spend the night at his club in Bedminster prior to the shooting taking place.

 

 

Shooter believed to be a ‘lone wolf’: Law enforcement source

Authorities believe they have an identification on the suspected shooter, but are not yet releasing a name “as it is a very sensitive point in the investigation,” according to a law enforcement source.

Early indication is that this is a lone wolf, the source said, but the situation is fluid and the investigators want to be absolutely certain that this person had no support and that no one knew what was coming.

The gunman opened fire with a rifle from the roof of a building about 200 to 300 yards away from the stage where Trump was speaking. A U.S. Secret Service counter-sniper team immediately killed the individual.

Trump leaves Butler area

Trump left the Butler, Pennsylvania, area just after 11 p.m., according to Gov. Josh Shapiro.

“Under the protection of US Secret Service and with the assistance of the Pennsylvania State Police, former President Trump has now left the Butler area,” Shapiro said. “Lori and I are thankful that his team reports that he is fine and we continue to wish him a full and speedy recovery.”

The former president left the area about five hours after the shooting took place.

Trump’s plane took off from Pittsburgh, but a destination was not released.

Biden spoke with Trump: White House official

President Biden spoke with Trump, a White House official told ABC News.

Biden also spoke with Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Butler Mayor Bob Dandoy, the official said.

-ABC News’ Mary Bruce

Male shooter was killed by Secret Service counter-sniper: Source

The suspected shooter was a man and was killed by a Secret Service counter-sniper, according to a source familiar with the investigation.

His identity hasn’t been immediately confirmed.

FBI Director Christopher Wray briefed Biden and the national security adviser Jake Sullivan, according to the source.

-ABC News’ Pierre Thomas

Biden returning to the White House from Delaware

The president will be departing from his home in Delaware and return back to the White House tonight, officials annouced.

Biden is expected to arrive at 12:30 a.m., the White House said.

Incident officially being investigated as assassination plot: Senior official

The shooting at the Trump rally is officially being investigated as an assassination plot on Trump, a senior defense official told ABC News.

Early evidence indicates that there was only one shooter, according to the source.

Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement that the FBI; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania; and the Department’s National Security Division will be involved in the investigation.

“My heart is with the former President, those injured, and the family of the spectator killed in this horrific attack,” he said in a statement. “We will not tolerate violence of any kind, and violence like this is an attack on our democracy. The Justice Department will bring every available resource to bear to this investigation.”

-ABC News’ Pierre Thomas

Trump looking forward to joining RNC in Milwaukee, campaign says

The Trump campaign released a statement indicating the former president will be attending the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee next week.

“As was communicated earlier this evening, President Trump is doing well and grateful to law enforcement and first responders for their fast action,” the campaign said.

“President Trump looks forward to joining you all in Milwaukee as we proceed with our convention to nominate him to serve as the 47th President of the United States,” they added.

-ABC News’ Lalee Ibssa

‘Toughest man I have ever met’: Eric Trump

Trump’s son Eric told ABC News that his father is the “toughest man I have ever met” without elaborating on the former president’s condition.

-ABC News’ John Santucci

‘I love you Dad, today and always’: Ivanka Trump

Ivanka Trump released a statement on X thanking supporters for their thoughts and prayers for her father and the victims of the shooting.

“I am grateful to the Secret Service and all the other law enforcement officers for their quick and decisive actions today. I continue to pray for our country. I love you Dad, today and always,” she said.

1 dead, 2 critically injured at rally: Secret Service

One spectator was killed and two were critically injured during the incident at the Butler, Pennsylvania, Trump rally, the Secret Service said in a statement.

“US Secret Service personnel neutralized the shooter, who is now deceased. US Secret Service quickly responded with protective measures and the former president is safe and being evaluated,” the agency said in a statement.

-ABC News’ Luke Barr

Shooter fired as many as 8 rounds from AR-style rifle: Sources

The shooter fired as many as eight rounds from an AR-style rifle while perched on a rooftop adjacent to the venue, law enforcement sources told ABC News.

The shooter was 200 to 300 yards away at the time of the gunfire, the sources said.

-ABC News’ Aaron Katersky

Trump says bullet hit him in the ear

Former President Donald Trump said in a Truth Social post that he was shot “with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear,” during the rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

“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,” he said.

Trump thanked the Secret Service and law enforcement for the rapid response and extended his condolences to the family of the person who was killed and the other person who was injured.

“It is incredible that such an act can take place in our Country,” he said.

‘We are praying for him, his family, and all those who have been injured’: Harris

Vice President Kamala Harris released a statement on X stating that she has been briefed about the shooting at the Trump rally.

“Doug and I are relieved that he is not seriously injured. We are praying for him, his family, and all those who have been injured and impacted by this senseless shooting,” she said.

“We must all condemn this abhorrent act and do our part to ensure that it does not lead to more violence,” the vice president added.

Bill Clinton condemns attack at rally

Former President Bill Clinton released a statement on X stating “violence has no place in America.”

“Hillary and I are thankful that President Trump is safe, heartbroken for all those affected by the attack at today’s rally in Pennsylvania, and grateful for the swift action of the U.S. Secret Service,” he said.

1 spectator killed, 1 seriously injured: Butler DA

One rally spectator was killed and another was injured during the incident, Butler County District Attorney Richard A. Goldinger told ABC News.

“The second individual who was removed is in serious condition,” he said.

Goldfinger said the suspected shooter was on an adjacent roof outside of the rally. He was not sure how the shooter was taken down.

‘No place in America for this kind of violence’: Biden

President Biden condemned the shooting at the Trump rally and called on other Americans to do the same.

“The idea that there’s political violence or violence in America like this, is just unheard of. It’s just not appropriate,” he said at a news conference.

Biden said he was trying to get ahold of Trump, who he called Donald, on the phone and wanted to talk to him.

“There is no place in America for this violence. It’s sick,” he said.

Security increased at Trump Tower, other NYC locations

Security is being increased across New York City following a possible assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, officials said.

Out of an abundance of caution, the NYPD is increasing its presence across the city, including at Trump Tower, 40 Wall Street, Foley Square and City Hall.

There is no threat or connection to New York City at this time.

“Whatever your politics, we should all be able to agree that violence is wrong and we should be able to disagree peacefully,” Mayor Eric Adams said in a statement.

Biden campaign to halt TV ads

The Biden campaign said it will halt all ads for the presidential race.

“The Biden campaign is pausing all outbound communications and working to pull down our television ads as quickly as possible,” a campaign spokesman said.

-ABC News’ Gabriella Abdul-Hakim

Biden to deliver remarks

The White House announced that Biden will shortly deliver remarks with regards to the shooting at the Trump rally in Pennsylvania.

Trump doing OK at local medical facility: Source

Former President Trump is getting treatment at a local medical facility and is doing OK, a law enforcement source told ABC News.

This will be “investigated as an assassination attempt until it is not,” according to the source.

-ABC News’ Pierre Thomas

Donald Trump Jr. says he’s spoken with his father

 

Former President Donald Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr, told ABC News he has spoken to his father who remains at the hospital.

 

He said his father is “in good spirits” as he remains under observation adding that his father is “never gonna stop.”

-ABC News’ John Santucci

 

Biden condemns shooting at Trump rally, praying for former president

President Joe Biden said in a statement that he was being briefed about the shooting.

“Jill and I are grateful to the Secret Service for getting him to safety. There’s no place for this kind of violence in America. We must unite as one nation to condemn it,” he said.

“I’m grateful to hear that he’s safe and doing well. I’m praying for him and his family and for all those who were at the rally, as we await further information,” the president added.

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