Donald Trump rally shooting updates — Video shows RNC security as former president to speak after assassination attempt
SECURITY is ramped up at the Republican National Convention (RNC) as Donald Trump is set to give his first public speech this week after a gunman attempted to assassinate him at his rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday.
Footage of the RNC in Milwaukee shows miles of barricades, steel fencing, and armed cops and checkpoints for the event, which saw Trump announced as the Republican Party's nominee Monday.
Trump's pick for vice president was also revealed to be Senator JD Vance - a decision with added weight as the running mate will step up in case of an emergency like the one that was prevented this weekend.
Gunman Thomas Crooks, 20, fired at least eight shots toward the stage, killing a spectator and wounding Trump and two others in an attempt to assassinate the former president.
Trump suffered an injury to his ear and was seen bloodied as he was rushed off stage but is now doing well and in Milwaukee for the RNC.
While it's unclear if Trump will take the stage more than once, he's expected to speak Thursday on the last day of the convention.
Follow our Donald Trump rally shooting blog for news and updates...
Tributes pour in for Trump rally victim
The family of a dad who was shot dead by a sniper at Trump's rally on Saturday has paid heartbreaking tribute to their loved one.
Members of the audience desperately tried to save Corey Comperatore's life after he was shot dead from a rooftop some 130 yards away.
Comperatore's sister wrote on Facebook, "The PA Trump Rally claimed the life of my brother, Corey Comperatore.
"The hatred for one man took the life of the one man we loved the most. He was a hero that shielded his daughters."
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer spoke with Donald Trump
The Prime Minister spoke to Trump on the phone on Sunday.
"I am appalled by the shocking scenes at President Trump's rally," he said.
"We send him and his family our best wishes. Political violence in any form has no place in our societies.
"My thoughts are with all the victims of this attack."
Trump rally victim named
The victim of former Donald Trump's assassination attempt has been named.
Corey Comperatore, a former fire chief for Buffalo Township, died protecting his daughter from bullets at the Pennsylvania rally on Saturday.
"Saturday night, our friend and family, Allyson, lost her father due to a senseless, tragic act at the Trump Rally in Butler, a friend wrote on a GoFundMe.
"Allyson has been an athlete with us since the beginning.
"She’s a huge part of our community. If you’re able to support her and her family during this time, we will have a spot for donations at the gym. Additionally, please take the time to sign the cards at the desk."
Ivanka Trump says mom was 'watching over Trump'
Ivanka Trump says her late mother Ivana Trump was “watching over Dad last night,” after former President Donald Trump was hit by a bullet during his rally in Pennsylvania last night.
“Two years ago today, my mom passed away,” Ivanka Trump wrote on X on Sunday morning to mark the anniversary of her death.
“I believe she was watching over Dad last night during the attempt on his life.”
Ivana Trump died at the age of 73 in 2022.
Piers Morgan says Secret Service 'dropped the ball'
Piers Morgan has shared his shock and relief after waking up to the news that Trump had been shot.
Writing in The Sun, he said, "Though there are serious questions to now be asked about how the hell the armed shooter got onto a roof just 150 yards from his target, why he wasn’t stopped from shooting given that members of the public saw him moving into position and told police, and why Trump wasn’t whisked straight to his limo rather than be allowed to stand up again and address the crowd.
"The Secret Service massively dropped the ball, and senior heads will doubtless roll as a result.
"But the inevitable impact of this dreadful attack on American democracy is that it will now almost certainly propel Donald Trump back to the White House."
Explosives found in gunman's car
Investigating officials found Thomas Matthew Crooks had explosive devices in his car as he attempted to assassinate Donald Trump.
The car driven by the gunman, who was later "neutralized" by Secret Service snipers, was found parked near Trump's rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, the Wall Street Journal reports.
Cops said they received many reports of suspicious packages around the parked car.
There were also bomb-making materials found at his home during an investigation.
Shooter spotted at event before attack
Rally gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks was spotted outside the event by local law enforcement on Saturday, CNN reports.
Officials are said to have thought he might have been acting suspiciously near the walk-through metal detectors and informed the Secret Service.
Authorities are also said to have announced over their radios to keep an eye on him.
Later, people at the rally warned officials they had seen a gunman up on the rooftop.
Trump Golf Club closed
Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster is closed for the day, according to an email sent to members this morning.
Trump returned to New Jersey by plane last night after the attack in Pennsylvania.
Gunman reportedly had vehicle full of explosives parked next to rally
Investigators found explosives in the vehicle belonging to Thomas Matthew Crooks, the rally gunman.
The car he drove to Butler from his home in Bethel Park was located near the rally after cops received reports of suspicious packages around the vehicle.
Crooks' home has also been searched and his family have been spoken to.
Gunman's father legally purchased rifle months before rally shooting
Thomas Matthew Crook's father, Matthew Crooks, is believed to have legally purchased the rifle used to target the former president.
Two anonymous law enforcement officials have reportedly told AP News that they believe the gunman's father bought the assault rifle at least six months ago, per CTV News.
Federal agents are reportedly still investigating when Crook's got hold of the weapon.
They are also still working to identify a possible motive.
Crooks was identified as the gunman after the ATF ran an urgent trace on the rifle found at the scene, according to numerous law enforcement sources.
He is not believed to have had any connection to the military.
Thomas Matthew Crooks is believed to have used his father's weapon to attack the former presidentCredit: YouTube/Blackhawk TV 'On brink of devastation' Melania Trump says as she recalls watching attempted assassination of her husband
Melania Trump has broken her silence after the shooting in Butler on Saturday.
"When I watched that violet bullet strike my husband, Donald, I realized my life, and Barron's life, were on the brink of devastating change," she said in a post on X.
"I am grateful to the brave secret service agents and law enforcement officials who risks their own lives to protect my husband."
The former first lady issued her "sincerest sympathy" to the victims and their families of what she called a "heinous act."
Melania called gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks a "monster" who saw her husband "as an inhuman political machine."
She accused him of "attempting to ring out Donald's passion - his laughter, ingenuity, love of music, and inspiration."
"The core facets of my husband's life - his human side - were buried below the political machine," she continued.
"Let us not forget that differing opinions, policy, and political games are inferior to love.
"Our personal, structural, and life commitment - until death - is at serious risk."
Melania Trump called her husband's would-be assassin a 'monster' who failed to see the former President as human Thomas Matthew Crooks featured in BlackRock ad last year
The gunman from Saturday's rally features in an advert for BlackRock, a global investment technology provider in 2023.
It was filmed at Bethel Park High School the year of Crooks' graduation.
Black Rock AdPressure grows on Secret Service as US Representative calls for investigation into its response
Democratic candidate Ruben Gallego has sent a letter to Kimberly Cheatle, the director of the Secret Service demanding an investigation into what occurred on Saturday.
In a letter shared on X, Gallego claimed that attempted assassination as well as the death of a spectator and the critical injuries of two others has raised "grave concerns" about the security measures for the event.
"I call upon all those responsible for the planning, approving, and executing of this failed security plan to be held accountable and to testify before Congress immediately," he wrote.
He demanded answers to seven key questions including who approved security plans and if a "proper threat assessment" of nearby buildings was conducted.
"This was a security failure at the highest level, not seen since the attempted assassination of President Reagan," he said.
"This cannot happen and I demand accountability."
Gunman photographed at high school graduation
Thomas Matthews Crooks was named by officials as the shooter in Saturday's attack.
He attended the Bethel Park High School and graduated in the Class of 2022.
Crooks was killed by snipers after opening fire on the former President, killing a spectator and critically injuring two others.
Crooks graduated high school in 2022Credit: YouTube/Blackhawk TV Trump's Vice President Mike Pence says there is 'no place for political violence' in US
Mike Pence who acted as the 48th Vice President in Trump's administration has issued a statement following the shooting.
"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," he said on X.
"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."
Hot mic captures security reaction to assassination attempt
The moment the former President's security detail responded to the shooting was caught on camera as the microphone broadcast their orders for Trump to 'get down.'
‘Get down!’Hot mic captures what was said as frantic secret service swarmed bleeding Trump and shots ring outIvanka Trump speaks out on anniversary of mom's death just hours after attempt on father's life
The second daughter of Trump and his first wife Ivana has said she believes her late mother was watching over her father when he survived the attempts on his life on Saturday.
"Two years ago today, my mom passed away. I believe she was watching over Dad last night during the attempt on his life," she wrote on X.
"I miss her every day and pray for the safety of the family and friends she left behind."
Her comments come after her half-sister, Tiffany Trump, 30, thanked supporters for their well wishes after the attack.
"The outpouring of love and support for my dad is deeply appreciated," she wrote on X in the early hours of Sunday.
"Thank you, God for keeping my father alive. Political violence is never the answer.
"God bless the Secret Service and law enforcement who fearlessly intervened.
"Please include the families of the victims in your prayers.
"As you saw today, my father is a fighter and he will continue to fight for you and the USA."
Moment Trump makes split-second 'life-saving move' before bullet rips through his ear
Footage of the final seconds before Trump was struck by a bullet has revealed the moment he likely saved his own life.
In the clip, Trump turns his head slightly before the bullet comes into contact with his right ear which he then touches before getting onto the ground.
It is likely that this small movement saved him from sustaining a fatal injury.
'Shots fired' at Donald Trump rally with former president seen ducking behind podium as Secret Service rushes inEx-Obama aid warned of retaliatory attacks after assassination attempt
Former White House Director of Global Engagement Brett Bruen has told The U.S. Sun that there is a 'real danger' of subsequent attacks following Saturday's shooting.
"We've already seen just in the last hour or so how those associated with the campaign, including Don Jr, have accused the "radical Left" of being behind the attack," he said on Saturday night.
"I think there is a real danger here that we could see retaliatory acts of violence and then the Trump campaign, those in the MAGA movement, really ought to reflect and reassess their rhetoric so as not to incite more attacks or violence.
"This ought to be a pivotal point where Americans recognize that our politics is geared into a really dangerous spot.
"The combustible style of communications that we employ both on the Left and the Right is what unfortunately leads individuals to act out, in some cases, in violent ways."
Assassination attempt forces security plan review ahead of Republican National Convention
Federal officials have confirmed that security plans for the Republican National Convention in Wisconsin this week will be re-considered in light of Saturday's events.
The convention is set to go ahead as planned on Monday in Milwaukee, an official told ABC News.
However, security plans may be altered including the amount of agents and snipers in the locations of individuals protected by the Secret Service.
Secret Service quashes claims it refused Trump request of more security ahead of rally
Anthony Guglielmi, a spokesperson for the Secret Service has denied claims that a member of Trump's team put in a request for more security ahead of the rally.
Rumors swirled that the Secret Service had denied such a request.
"There's an untrue assertion that a member of the former President's team requested additional security resources & that those were rebuffed," Guglielmi said on X.
"This is absolutely false.
"In fact, we added protective resources & technology & capabilities as part of the increased campaign travel tempo."
Last month, officials confirmed to NBC News that the Secret Service had bolstered security for the former president.
Additional special agents and support teams were assigned "to ensure the highest level of security for not only the event sites but the travel in between events," the spokesperson told the outlet.
A month before the rally, Secret Service officials bulked up Trump's security detailCredit: AP
Ex-Secret Service agent who took bullet for President Reagan during assassination attempt speaks out
"This is an attempted assassination of the former president of the United States and the soon-to-be nominee of the Republican Party so this is a very serious matter," Tim McCarthy told ABC News affiliate WLS-TV.
"It gets pretty tough out there on the campaign trail and people's emotions run high but this cannot happen in our country."
McCarthy was shot in the line of duty while protecting Reagan in 1981 during an assassination attempt.
Meanwhile, a retired Secret Service agent who is the police chief at Robert Morris University has said that the gunman had some level of "gun acumen" to make the shot he did.
"If that bullet is three inches to the president’s left, it hits him in the nose," Jeff James said.
"The difference between your nose and your ear is just a gust of wind."
He claimed that such a level of accuracy from the rooftop almost 150 meters away from the stage showed he “had some kind of acumen with a high-power rifle.”
Locals living near rally location 'surprised' by lack of security response
A local Butler resident who lives just a quarter of a mile from the stage where Trump was speaking has spoken out about her shock that the Secret Service did not search nearby properties.
Nearby homes have been evacuated with neighbors thought to be allowed access later on SundayCredit: Reuters "I thought that would be something that they would do since I live so close by," Carol Kerr told ABC News on Sunday morning.
"I thought they would search the houses that are as close as mine is," the 82-year-old said.
"At least check them out and see if you have anything in your house which is dangerous, which I don't."
Two victims of rally still in critical condition
The two rally attendees who were injured in the shooting are said to still be in a critical condition.
Both men who have not been identified were taken to the hospital on Saturday night.
The pair are both being treated at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh, Dan Laurent, the vice president of corporate communications at the Allegheny Health Network confirmed to NBC News.
Two male spectators were injured and one lost his life after the gunman opened fire on the former presidentCredit: AFP Bethel Park School District speaks out about ex-student confirmed to be Trump's assailant
Thomas Matthew Cooks was a Bethel Park High School student, the school district has confirmed.
He 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," Bethel Park School District said on Sunday.
"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."