Officials investigate Trump Pennsylvania rally shooting as assassination attempt

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

The suspected shooter, who was reportedly outside the area secured by authorities organising the event, was killed by the Secret Service.

In a statement on Sunday, the FBI identified 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks as the “subject involved” in the attempted assassination of Trump. Crooks, who was from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, was a registered Republican, according to the state’s voter records.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation said earlier that it did not have a motive for the incident but there was “no existing threat” after the shooting.

“This evening, we had what we are calling an assassination attempt against former president Donald Trump. It’s still an active crime scene,” said Kevin Rojek, special agent in charge of the FBI Pittsburgh field office.

Trump was seen walking down the stairs of his aircraft after landing in New Jersey early on Sunday, according to a video posted by the Trump campaign on social media website X, formerly Twitter.

In brief televised remarks, Biden said he had tried to reach Trump on the phone.

“I have tried to get ahold of Donald. He’s with his doctors. Apparently he’s doing well. I plan on talking to him shortly, I hope, when I get back to the telephone,” the president said.

“There’s no place in America for this kind of violence. It’s sick. It’s sick. It’s one of the reasons why we have to unite this country,” he added.

“We cannot allow for this to be happening. We cannot be like this. We cannot condone this.”

Biden said more details would come out about people injured in the audience.

“But the bottom line is that the Trump rally was a rally that he should have been able to be conducted (sic) peacefully without any problem. But the idea, the idea that there’s political violence, or violence in America like this is just unheard of, is just not appropriate,” he said.

When asked if the incident was considered an assassination attempt, Biden said: “I have an opinion, but I don’t have any facts. So I want to make sure we have all the facts before I make any more comments.”

Soon after the shooting, Trump’s presidential campaign announced that he was “fine”.

“He is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility. More details will follow,” his spokesman Steven Cheung said, adding that he “thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act”.

Political leaders on both sides of the aisle have reacted to the incident on X, with many calling the act “political violence”.

Mike Johnson, speaker of the US House of Representatives, said he was praying for Trump and rally attendees.

“This horrific act of political violence at a peaceful campaign rally has no place in this country and should be unanimously and forcefully condemned.”

Former speaker Nancy Pelosi said: “I know first-hand that political violence of any kind has no place in our society.”

“I thank God that former president Trump is safe,” she said, while calling on people to pray for safety for rally attendees.

“We should all be relieved that former president Trump was not seriously hurt, and use this moment to recommit ourselves to civility and respect in our politics,” he said.

“I fully endorse president Trump and hope for his rapid recovery,” he posted on X.

Saturday’s shooting is the first attempt to assassinate a president or presidential candidate since Ronald Reagan was shot in Washington in 1981.

The US Secret Service said it had “implemented protective measures and the former president is safe”.

“This is now an active Secret Service investigation and further information will be released when available,” Anthony Guglielmi, chief of communications of the service said on X.

Trump was showing off a chart of border crossing numbers during his last rally before the Republican National Convention opens on Monday when bangs started ringing through the crowd, Associated Press reported.

Trump could be seen reaching with his right hand towards his neck, and there appeared to be blood on his face, it said.

Trump quickly ducked behind the podium as agents from his protective detail rushed the stage, and screams were heard in the crowd of several thousand people. The bangs continued as agents tended to him on stage.

The crowd cheered as he got back up and pumped his fist.

Police began vacating the fairgrounds shortly after Trump left the stage.

Additional reporting by Robert Delaney, Associated Press, Reuters