Panorama of Trump being shot

On July 13 in Butler, Pennsylvania, former President Donald Trump addresses a rally just days before he is set to accept the Republican nomination. Only minutes into his speech, shots ring out. Trump is hit but survives an assassination attempt in broad daylight. Here is how events unfolded.

As Trump speaks to tens of thousands of supporters on a hot, humid evening in Pennsylvania which is one of six crucial swing states for the upcoming presidential election, with Butler leaning heavily Republican in a traditionally blue-collar town.

When he began his speed, everything seemed to be normal. He gestures towards a chart displaying border crossing statistics when several attendees spot a man with a gun on a nearby roof, but it is too late. Suddenly, gunfire erupts, with one shot even caught on camera. The gunfire comes from a building located about 400 feet north of the stage.

The shooter, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, is armed with a legally purchased AR-15 rifle. He fires three rounds initially. The first bullet grazes the upper part of Trump's right ear.

Trump later states that turning at that moment likely saved his life from a more serious injury. He ducks behind the podium, and within seconds, Secret Service agents rush in to shield him.

Crooks fires again, unleashing five more shots. Reports vary, but some say these snipers neutralized Crooks, while the Secret Service confirmed that their personnel took down the shooter. It remains unclear whether it was specifically those agents who acted.

Approximately 42 seconds after Crooks begins shooting, it is confirmed that the shooter is neutralized.

After being protected and hidden for a short period, Trump emerges from the podium, raises his fist, and shouts "Fight! Fight! Fight!" This image, showing him bloodied but defiant, becomes widely circulated and is used to rally his supporters. Trump is then hurried to a hospital and later flown to New Jersey, appearing to be in good condition.

Many questions remain unanswered, such as why security forces could not stop the attack. It's unclear why our personnel couldn't access the rooftop or what is Crook's motivation. The shooter had no criminal record in Pennsylvania’s public court records.

The New York Times discovered a voter registration that identified Crooks as a Republican. They also found he made a $15 donation to a liberal voter turnout group in 2021 via a Democratic donation platform. He worked in a kitchen and had a membership at a local shooting range. The FBI discovered suspicious devices in his car and home, which are currently under investigation. The attack prompts global condemnation from leaders and raises questions about security measures.

The dramatic photo of Trump, coupled with the intense circumstances of the attack, is expected to become a powerful symbol in his re-election campaign. The incident also brings to light ongoing concerns about political violence and security protocols at high-profile events.