N※N

Business and Finance
Source : (remove) : The Jakarta Post
^{RSS • JSON • XML • CSV}

Business and Finance
Source : (remove) : The Jakarta Post
^{RSS • JSON • XML • CSV}

Public urged to halt bonfires after Lacock thatch blaze

Trump Rally Shooting: What We Know So Far

In a shocking turn of events that has sent ripples through the American political landscape, former President Donald Trump narrowly escaped an assassination attempt during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The incident unfolded on a Saturday evening, transforming what was meant to be a routine political gathering into a scene of chaos and violence. As Trump addressed a crowd of supporters, gunfire erupted, injuring the former president and claiming the life of one attendee while critically wounding two others. The suspected shooter, identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, was killed by Secret Service agents at the scene. This event has prompted intense scrutiny of security protocols, raised questions about political violence in the United States, and elicited responses from leaders across the political spectrum.

The rally was held at the Butler Farm Show grounds, a venue in rural Pennsylvania where Trump was campaigning ahead of the Republican National Convention. Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee for the 2024 presidential election, took the stage around 6:00 PM local time. He was in the midst of discussing immigration policy, gesturing toward a chart on border crossings, when the first shots rang out. Eyewitnesses described hearing a series of pops, initially mistaken by some for firecrackers or a malfunctioning speaker. Video footage captured the moment: Trump clutching his right ear, blood streaking down his face, before ducking behind the podium as Secret Service agents swarmed the stage, shouting commands to get down.

According to law enforcement accounts, the shooter was positioned on the roof of a manufacturing building approximately 130 yards from the stage, outside the rally's security perimeter. Armed with an AR-15-style rifle, Crooks fired multiple rounds toward Trump. One bullet grazed Trump's ear, causing a superficial wound that he later described as feeling like "the world's largest mosquito." The swift response from the Secret Service was credited with saving Trump's life; agents returned fire, neutralizing the threat within seconds. Trump, defiant even in the midst of danger, was seen pumping his fist and mouthing "fight" to the crowd as he was escorted off the stage, his face bloodied but his resolve apparently unbroken.

The human toll extended beyond Trump. Corey Comperatore, a 50-year-old former fire chief from nearby Sarver, Pennsylvania, was killed while shielding his family from the gunfire. Described by loved ones as a devoted father and community hero, Comperatore's death has been mourned widely, with tributes highlighting his selflessness. Two other men, David Dutch, 57, from New Kensington, and James Copenhaver, 74, from Moon Township, were critically injured but reported to be in stable condition following the attack. Their stories underscore the randomness and tragedy of the violence that disrupted an otherwise festive event.

Investigators have been piecing together the profile of Thomas Matthew Crooks, the alleged perpetrator. A 2022 graduate of Bethel Park High School, Crooks was remembered by classmates as a quiet, intelligent student who excelled in subjects like history and government but was often socially isolated. He worked as a dietary aide at a local nursing home and had no prior criminal record. Authorities discovered that Crooks was a registered Republican but had made a small donation to a progressive political action committee in 2021. His online presence was minimal, but searches of his home revealed bomb-making materials in his vehicle and residence, raising alarms about potential further threats. The FBI is treating the incident as an assassination attempt and possible domestic terrorism, though no clear motive has been established. Crooks' family has cooperated with investigators, expressing shock and bewilderment at his actions.

The shooting has ignited a firestorm of debate over security lapses. How did an armed individual gain access to a rooftop with a clear line of sight to the stage? Witnesses reported spotting Crooks on the roof minutes before the shooting, with some alerting police. Bodycam footage released by authorities shows officers scrambling to respond, but the delay has drawn criticism from experts and lawmakers. The Secret Service, tasked with protecting current and former presidents, has faced intense scrutiny. Director Kimberly Cheatle acknowledged the agency's role in a statement, emphasizing that a full review is underway. Former agents and security analysts have pointed to potential failures in perimeter control and advance threat assessment, especially given the heightened political tensions surrounding Trump's campaign.

Trump himself addressed the nation shortly after the incident, posting on his social media platform Truth Social. He thanked the Secret Service for their quick action and expressed condolences to the victims' families. "In this moment, it is more important than ever that we stand united," he wrote, vowing to continue his campaign undeterred. At the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, which proceeded as planned days later, Trump made a dramatic appearance with a bandage on his ear, receiving thunderous applause from delegates. He used the platform to call for national unity, toning down some of his typically fiery rhetoric in light of the attack. Supporters have rallied around him, with some viewing the incident as a symbol of his resilience, while critics worry it could further polarize an already divided electorate.

President Joe Biden, Trump's likely opponent in the November election, condemned the violence in unequivocal terms. From the White House, Biden addressed the nation, stating, "There is no place for this kind of violence in America. We must unite as one nation to condemn it." He ordered an independent review of the security arrangements and paused his own campaign activities out of respect. Biden also reached out to Trump personally, a gesture that highlighted a rare moment of bipartisanship amid the turmoil. International leaders echoed these sentiments; UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the attack "shocking," while Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed solidarity with the American people.

The broader implications of the shooting are profound, coming at a time when political rhetoric in the U.S. has grown increasingly heated. This is not the first instance of violence targeting political figures—memories of the 2011 shooting of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and the 2022 attack on Paul Pelosi, husband of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, loom large. Experts warn that the incident could exacerbate divisions, with conspiracy theories already proliferating online. Some far-right groups have baselessly claimed the shooting was staged, while others on the left have pointed to Trump's own inflammatory language as a contributing factor. Mental health advocates have called for greater attention to isolation and radicalization among young people, noting Crooks' profile as a potential warning sign.

In Butler, the community is grappling with the aftermath. The rally site, now a crime scene, has become a makeshift memorial, with flowers, flags, and messages of support piling up. Local residents, many of whom attended the event, shared harrowing accounts. One woman described shielding her children as chaos erupted, while a man recounted helping to carry an injured spectator to safety. The town's mayor praised the first responders and urged healing, saying, "Butler is strong, and we will come together."

As the investigation continues, federal authorities are examining Crooks' digital footprint, including any communications or online searches that might reveal his intentions. The FBI has urged the public to come forward with any relevant information, emphasizing that even small details could be crucial. Meanwhile, Trump's campaign has adapted, incorporating enhanced security measures for future events. The former president has signaled his intent to attend more rallies, framing the attack as a testament to his commitment to "making America great again."

This assassination attempt marks a dark chapter in American history, reminiscent of past tragedies like the shootings of Presidents Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy, and Ronald Reagan. It underscores the fragility of democracy in an era of deep polarization and easy access to firearms. As the nation processes the event, calls for de-escalation and civility have grown louder, with hopes that it might serve as a catalyst for change rather than further division. The coming weeks will likely reveal more about Crooks' motives and the security failures, but for now, the focus remains on the victims and the resilience of those affected.

In the days following the shooting, additional details have emerged about the immediate response. Secret Service snipers, positioned on nearby rooftops, identified Crooks as a suspicious individual shortly before he opened fire. Radio communications captured the urgency: "Shooter is down," one agent reported after the fatal shot. Forensic analysis of the rifle, purchased legally by Crooks' father, is ongoing, with ballistics experts tracing the trajectory of the bullets. Trump, in interviews, has described hearing a "whizzing sound" before the impact, crediting a last-second turn of his head for his survival.

The political fallout has been swift. Republican lawmakers have demanded congressional hearings on Secret Service funding and protocols, while Democrats have renewed pushes for gun control measures, highlighting the AR-15's role in multiple mass shootings. Public opinion polls conducted post-incident show a slight bump in Trump's approval ratings, with some voters viewing him as a sympathetic figure. However, analysts caution that the long-term effects on the election remain uncertain.

Eyewitness testimonies continue to paint a vivid picture. Greg Smith, who was near the stage, told reporters he saw Crooks crawling on the roof and tried to alert authorities, but felt his warnings went unheeded. Another attendee, a doctor in the crowd, rushed to aid Comperatore, performing CPR amid the pandemonium. These personal stories humanize the tragedy, reminding us of the ordinary lives upended by extraordinary violence.

As America reflects on this brush with catastrophe, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the stakes in the upcoming election. With the Republican convention now behind us and the Democratic one approaching, both parties are navigating a landscape forever altered by the events in Butler. Unity, though elusive, remains the rallying cry in the face of such adversity.

Read the Full BBC Article at:
[ https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjw63jwqdjgo ]