Trump's campaign manager reveals why former president moved his head before gunman's bullet ripped through his ear
- The reason behind the life-saving move Trump made before gunman shot at him
- MORE: Follow DailyMail.com's live coverage the day after gunman fired at Trump
Donald Trump's senior campaign adviser says the former president's life was saved by his decision to reference charts on the big screen at his Pennsylvania rally on Saturday.
Dan Scavino Jr. said a slight move of Trump's head to the visual aid on the jumbotron was the reason a bullet grazed his ear rather than went through his head.
'Thank God last nights rally was one in which President Trump wanted to use and reference the jumbotron, causing him to slightly move his head at the moment shots were fired,' Scavino said on Sunday.
'He is grateful for all of the prayers, love, and support out there, as he prepares for the GOP Convention in Wisconsin!'
Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, was shot dead by U.S. Secret Service just seconds after the bullet clipped the former president's ear.
Donald Trump turned his head slightly to the left to reference a jumbotron chart at his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on Saturday – likely saving his life from a would-be assassinator's gunfire
Earlier in the rally, Trump acknowledged he was 'going off the teleprompter' and wanted to dive into southern border policy first.
He asked his team to bring up charts on the jumbotron screen showing immigration statistics.
This is when he turned his head to the side just before a handful of pops were heard and the former president grabbed his ear before ducking behind the podium.
The gunman was the shot dead by the Secret Service counter snipers seconds after he shot at Trump.
Retired volunteer fire chief, Corey Comperatore, 50, died and two others were critically injured and still in a Pittsburg hospital, according to authorities.
Video of the incident shows that before Trump was struck in the ear, he turned his head slightly to look at the screen over his right shoulder – a movement that spared him from serious injury or even death.
Trump managed to duck behind the podium after the shots were fired.
A picture captured by The New York Times photographer Doug Mills shows a bullet whizzing through the air by Trump's head as he holds onto his ear with his head turned to the right.
Yearbook photos of Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, resurfaced after he was identified as the suspected gunman who shot at Donald Trump on Saturday. Crooks was shot dead by U.S. Secret Service just seconds after the bullet clipped the former president's ear. A resident who wanted to remain anonymous confirmed the identity of the gunman to DailyMail.com
Trump raises a first with blood streaking his face as members of his U.S. Secret Service security detail wrangle him off stage at his Butler, Pennsylvania rally on Saturday after an assassination attempt
The would-be assassinator was a registered Republican and 2022 high school graduate. Records show Crooks donated on the day of the 2020 inauguration to a group backing President Joe Biden.
Crooks shot at Trump with an AR-style rifle from a rooftop 130 yards from the rally stage in Butler just before 6:15 p.m. on Saturday.
Images of Crooks wearing glasses, braces, and an American flag t-shirt in a yearbook headshots emerged on Sunday morning, hours after he tried to take out the presumptive Republican nominee and killed a member of the rally crowd.
Bethel Park School District, where Crooks was a student until two years ago, verified his graduation from the high school and is cooperating with investigators.
Members of the community where Crooks is believed to have lived with his parents were swarmed by police and Secret Service on Sunday morning.
Those who spoke to DailyMail.com said the family were quiet and kept to themselves.
Bethel Park School District verified Crooks' 2022 high school graduation and vowed full cooperation with investigators
Members of the community where Crooks is believed to have lived with his parents were swarmed by police and Secret Service on Sunday morning
