Death of Donald Trump: Bullet pierces ear at rally; Secret Service kills shooter

Former US President and Republican candidate for the 2024 presidential elections Donald Trump by centimeters escaped a attack during a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday, shaking up America’s already turbulent political scene.
Bullets from a lone gunman positioned on a nearby roof hit Trump’s right ear and caused bleeding – he later said he was “fine” – but no other person, besides the attacker, who was immediately evacuated from the intelligencewas killed in the incident. Two other protesters were also seriously injured.
In iconic images that instantly went viral, a fearless Trump broke free from a group of Secret Service agents protecting him and raised a clenched fist, blood streaming down his cheek. This indelible moment, turned into campaign memoirs within hours of the incident, ignited and mobilized his supporters and is expected to help him return to the White House.
The shooter was identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20. His father Matthew, 53, told CNN he was trying to figure out “what the hell is going on” but would “wait until I talk to the police” before saying anything.
In the hours after the shooting, pictures emerged of Crooks, reportedly a star student, wearing glasses, braces and an American flag T-shirt – as law enforcement authorities were still investigating the motive for the vicious attack.
Amid conspiracy theories about an “inside job,” there have been calls for the resignation of Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle. Cheatle supports the so-called 30×30 initiative, which aims to increase the proportion of women in the police force to 30 percent by 2030.
But Trump himself thanked the Secret Service and law enforcement for their “quick response” and expressed his condolences to the family of the participant killed at the rally, although he later said “only God prevented the unthinkable.”
“We will NOT BE AFRAID, but instead we will remain true to our faith and defy evil,” Trump posted on Truth Social, adding, “At this moment, it is more important than ever that we stand united and show our true character as Americans by remaining strong and determined and not allowing evil to win.”
He also reiterated his commitment to continuing his campaign and said he was looking forward to the upcoming Republican National Convention (RNC) being held in Milwaukee this week. He said: “I truly love our country and love all of you and look forward to speaking to our great nation from Wisconsin this week.”
The assassination was condemned across America and beyond, with President Biden calling him “sick” and calling Trump to check on his well-being.
“There is no place for this kind of violence in America. It is sick. It is sick. It is one of the reasons we must unite this country. We cannot allow this to happen. We cannot be like this,” Biden said immediately after the incident.