In July of 2024, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt while hosting a political rally near Butler, Pennsylvania. Trump sustained a head injury, from a bullet the assassin fired hitting him in his upper right ear. The shooter also wounded three civilians, one of which, Corey Comperatore, ultimately succumbed to his injuries. Both David Dutch and James Copenhaver, were critically injured but survived. Secret Service agents identified the shooter as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, who rally attendees reported suspicious behavior before the rally. A Secret Service sniper killed Crooks.
Secret Service agents recovered the evidence, Crooks’ gun (an A-15 style rifle. After witnessing the assassination attempt, many Republicans showed their support of Trump by wearing bandages on their upper right ear. Five days later, Trump commented on the situation before the Republican National Convention, praising the audience for their resilience in that moment after stating “The amazing thing is that prior to the shot, if I had not moved my head at that very last instant, the assassin’s bullet would have perfectly hit its mark. And I would not be here tonight.”
Trump further described the night, saying that once he realized the seriousness of the situation, he immediately dropped to the ground to protect himself while Secret Service agents shielded him from the oncoming bullets. Because of the dripping blood and the head wound, witnesses thought him dead. However, attendees remained calm and did not cause a further panic, and instead began looking for the shooter and pointing to Crooks’ location to alert the Secret Service to his location.
