Donald Trump Rally Shooting Firearm Traced To Suspect's Father

According to the Secret Service, a man fired “multiple shots” toward the stage during former President Donald Trump’s rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday evening, resulting in the death of one spectator and critically injuring two others.

The 20-year-old gunman, identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, resided in an affluent suburb located in the hills south of Pittsburgh, approximately an hour's drive from the rally venue.

Law enforcement recovered an AR-15-style semiautomatic rifle at the scene of the attempted assassination of former President Donald J. Trump during his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday.

According to ABC, multiple law enforcement sources say the gun recovered at the scene of the Trump assassination attempt was legally purchased by the suspect's father.

His father, who spoke with CNN, says he is trying to find out "what the hell is going on" and is going to "wait until I talk to law enforcement" to say more.

Initial investigations say the suspect, who was killed at the scene, had no apparent military affiliation.

According to the Wall Street Journal, authorities discovered concerning items, including explosive devices, in the suspect's car, parked outside the Trump rally.

Following the tragedy, the Bethel Park School District confirmed that Crooks graduated from Bethel Park High School 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. 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," the district said in a statement, per The New York Times.

A former classmate also spoke out, claiming, "He didn’t seem like really weird or anything. I would have pegged him as a Republican."

"He was more of a loner. He probably had a friend group but not many friends," they added.

Hours after the incident occurred, current President Joe Biden addressed the nation.

"I have been briefed on the shooting at Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania," he said. "I’m grateful to hear that he’s safe and doing well. I’m praying for him and his family and for all those who were at the rally, as we await further information."

Biden added, "Jill and I are grateful to the Secret Service for getting him to safety. There’s no place for this kind of violence in America. We must unite as one nation to condemn it."

During the press conference, the President, who spoke without a teleprompter, said, “We cannot allow this to be happening. The idea that there’s violence in America like this is just unheard of.”

Former First Lady Melania Trump also broke her silence, calling the shooter a "monster."

"I am thinking of you, now, my fellow Americans. We have always been a unique union," she began in her statement. "America, the fabric of our gentle nation is tattered, but our courage and common sense must ascend and bring us back together as one. When I watched that violent bullet strike my husband, Donald, I realized my life, and Barron's life, were on the brink of devastating change."

"A monster who recognized my husband as an inhuman political machine attempted to ring out Donald's passion - his laughter, ingenuity, love of music, and inspiration," she continued. "The core facets of my husband's life - his human side - were buried below the political machine. Donald, the generous and caring man who I have been with through the best of times and the worst of times."

Melania added, "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. Political concepts are simple when compared to us, human beings. We are all humans, and fundamentally, instinctively, we want to help one another."

Following the attempted assassination, Donald Trump, who left the rally with a bloodied face, described he heard a "whizzing sound" and the sensation of a "bullet ripping through skin."

"I want to thank The United States Secret Service, and all of Law Enforcement, for their rapid response on the shooting that just took place in Butler, Pennsylvania," Trump wrote on Truth Social following the incident. "It is incredible that such an act can take place in our Country. Nothing is known at this time about the shooter, who is now dead. I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear."

"I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin. Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening," Trump added. "GOD BLESS AMERICA!"