FBI identifies Trump rally shooter as 20-year old man from Pennsylvania
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More news: The FBI identified the gunman involved in the attack on former President Donald Trump at a rally on Saturday as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, CNN reported. The gunman was killed by the Secret Service after he fired numerous shots from a rooftop outside the rally’s security perimeter. An AR-15-type rifle was recovered at the scene. Authorities continue investigating the motive for the attack. Crooks, a 2022 Bethel Park High School graduate with no criminal history, was a registered Republican but in 2021 donated US$15 ($22) to a Democratic-aligned political action committee, The New York Times reported.
Crooks used a gun that had been purchased by his father and authorities found explosive devices in the car he was driving, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing unnamed sources briefed on the investigation.
What they said: Anthony Guglielmi, communications chief for the Secret Service denied reports that the agency had refused a request to bulk up Trump's security detail at the rally. "This is absolutely false," he posted on X. "In fact, we added protective resources & technology & capabilities as part of he increased campaign travel tempo."
Trump shooting an attack on democracy, Australia not immune to polarisation: PM
More news: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has described the attempted assassination of former US president Donald Trump as an “inexcusable attack” on democracy, aa he warned Australia is not immune from escalating rhetoric in public debate.
Two people – including the suspect – are dead after the shooting during a Trump rally in Pennsylvania on Sunday morning, and another two people are in a critical condition.
Meanwhile, Australian Ambassador to the US Kevin Rudd has conveyed his concern to newly appointed Republican National Committee chair Michael Whatley.
After a fractious few months in Australia – including attacks on MP offices – Albanese urged the public to “lower the temperature” of public debate.
What they said: Speaking at Parliament House on Sunday afternoon, Albanese said: “There is nothing to be served by some of the escalation of rhetoric that we see in some of our political debate … This isn't a day for politics. This is a day to unite, to express our concern regardless of one's political views. There is no place for the events that we saw today.”
Donald Trump injured by shooter at rally; Biden, Albanese condemn violence
The news: Former US president Donald Trump has been injured in a shooting at a weekend campaign rally in Pennsylvania.
The context: At a campaign rally on Saturday, Trump was injured by a shot that grazed his ear before Secret Service personnel came to his aid. He has received medical attention and has been described as "safe". The shooter was killed and there are reports one attendee has lost their life.
What they said: US President Joe Biden said he had been briefed about the shooting and was grateful Trump was “safe and doing well”. He said he was praying for him and his family and those at the rally as they “await further information”.
“There’s no place for this kind of violence in America,” he said. “We must unite as one nation to condemn it.”
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese responded to the incident on Sunday morning, condemning the actions.
"The incident at former President Trump’s campaign event in Pennsylvania today is concerning and confronting,” Albanese said.
“There is no place for violence in the democratic process," he said. “I am relieved to hear reports that former President Trump is now safe."
Australia’s Ambassador to the United States Kevin Rudd said violence has “no place in our democracies”.
"All Australians are shocked by the attack on former President Trump at his campaign rally this evening in Pennsylvania,” he said in a statement published on X.“It is a relief to see that President Trump is safe. Our thoughts are with him and his family.”
Former US president Barack Obama also criticised the violence and wished Trump well.
"There is absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy. Although we don’t yet know exactly what happened, we should all be relieved that former President Trump wasn’t seriously hurt, and use this moment to recommit ourselves to civility and respect in our politics. Michelle and I are wishing him a quick recovery," Obama said on X.
