WASHINGTON (AP) — Authorities are investigating how the shooter got into Climb onto the roof The shots were fired very close to where former President Donald Trump was speaking.
It's one of the focuses of the investigation into the attempted assassination of President Trump on Saturday, which came as Republicans gathered in Milwaukee for their national convention and President Joe Biden urged the nation to reject political violence.
Here's what we know so far:
How did the shooter get so close to Trump?
The U.S. Secret Service has described how a gunman armed with an AR-type rifle climbed onto a nearby roof and Shoot and injure Former President At a rally Saturday in Pennsylvania.
Authorities said the gunman was shot and killed by Secret Service agents. Firing multiple bullets into the stage The station said the shot came from “an elevated location outside the rally venue.” Trump was covered in blood and said he had been “struck by a bullet above his right ear.” One spectator was killed.
An Associated Press analysis of more than a dozen videos and photos from Trump's rallies, as well as satellite imagery of the venue, found that the shooter was able to get surprisingly close to the stage where the former president was speaking.
The rooftop was within 150 meters (164 yards) of where Trump was speaking. Biden has ordered an independent investigation into security at the rally.
What do we know about the Trump rally shooter?
Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old nursing home employee from suburban Pittsburgh Tried to shoot Trump, a Republican, had loaded explosives into a car en route to a campaign rally an hour away from his home.
Authorities have said it was an assassination attempt, but have not determined Crooks' motive for trying to kill Trump.
Authorities were working Sunday to learn more about the young man from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, and to determine a motive.
The F.B.I. The underlying ideology has yet to be identified According to public court records, Crooks has no prior criminal charges and has not written any threatening messages or posted any social media posts. The FBI believes Crooks acted alone and is investigating the shooting as a possible act of domestic terrorism.
What is known about the other victims?
Gov. Josh Shapiro said Sunday that Cory Comperatore, who was killed at a Trump rally, “I jumped in to protect my family.”
“Corey died a hero,” the governor said. Comperatore, 50, was a former fire chief.
Pennsylvania State Police identified the two other men who were shot as David Duch, 57, of New Kensington, and James Copenhaver, 74, of Moon Township. Both men remain hospitalized in stable condition, state police said.
Biden condemns violence in national address
In a prime-time national address, The president on Sunday Political passions can run high, but “we must never descend into violence.”
“We can get this done,” Biden said, saying the country was founded on a democracy where reason and balance prevail over violence.
“American democracy is a place where debate is conducted in good faith. Where the rule of law is respected. Where decency, dignity and fair play are not just quaint concepts but living realities.”
Trump arrives in Milwaukee as Republican National Convention continues
The former president is from Milwaukee. Republican National Convention.
Trump's plane landed on Sunday. The four-day event begins Monday when thousands of Republicans will gather to formally elect Trump as their 2024 presidential candidate.
Aides said the president was in “great spirits” and in good spirits.
Saturday's attack on Trump has put increased attention on safety and security at the event.
Trump said he would postpone his trip by two days because of the assassination attempt, but that he was “determined not to allow the 'shooter' or any potential assassin to force me to change my schedule or anything else.”
Were there other attempts to assassinate the president?
Saturday's attack was the most serious attempt to assassinate a president or presidential candidate. Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981,but, Multiple instances of political violence They have targeted U.S. presidents, former presidents, and major party presidential candidates. Four U.S. presidents have been assassinated: Abraham Lincoln, James Garfield, William McKinley, and John Kennedy.
___
Associated Press writer Christopher Weber in Los Angeles contributed to this report.
