Trump arrives in Milwaukee for RNC; assassination attempt investigation continues

Learn about the latest on the investigation into the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. What people know about the suspect and the victims, what the former president is saying as the Republican National Convention (RNC) gets underway and President Joe Biden’s message for the nation. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Monday, July 15, 2024.

Trump arrives in Milwaukee; assassination attempt investigation continues

Just two days after surviving an assassination attempt, former President Donald Trump is in Milwaukee, Wisconsin for the start of the Republican National Convention on Monday, July 15. In an interview with the New York Post aboard his private plane en route to the RNC on Sunday, July 14, Trump said he’s “supposed to be dead” and thanked the Secret Service for taking down the shooter.

Here’s how it all unfolded Saturday, July 13: minutes into Trump’s speech at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, the sound of gunshots rang out. Trump was then seen raising his hand to his right ear before lowering to the ground as Secret Service agents rushed in to whisk him off the stage.

As they did, Trump — with blood on his face — could be seen raising a fist to the crowd.

pic.twitter.com/YEC0bX55UV

— Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) July 14, 2024

Later, Trump posted to his social media site, Truth Social, that he had heard a whizzing sound and “immediately felt the bullet ripping through his skin.”

The FBI is investigating the assassination attempt as an act of domestic terrorism. Trump survived the attack, but the gunshots killed one victim and injured two others.

Fifty-year-old Corey Comperatore, a former fire chief and father of two, died from his injuries.

Secret Service agents shot and killed the gunman. He’s been identified by authorities as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, which is about 50 miles from where the rally took place. A motive has not yet been determined.

At this time, the FBI believes Crooks acted alone, but is continuing to investigate if there were any co-conspirators connected with the attack.

As Trump arrived in Milwaukee on Sunday, July 14, for the Republican National Convention, he told reporters he has rewritten his speech for Thursday, July 18, to focus more on national unity.

Trump also said on social media Sunday, “In this moment, it is more important than ever that we stand united, and show our true character as Americans, remaining strong and determined, and not allowing evil to win.”

President Joe Biden delivered a similar message in a primetime speech from the White House Sunday night, saying it’s time to lower the temperature in the country’s politics.

“There is no place in America for this kind of violence — for any violence. Ever. Period. No exceptions. We can’t allow this violence to be normalized,” Biden said.

Biden and Trump spoke on the phone Saturday night after the shooting. The president said he’s grateful Trump is doing well, and Trump described the phone call as “very nice.”

More details emerge of gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks

As the FBI continues its investigation into the assassination attempt against the former president, more details about the shooter are being uncovered yet the motive remains unclear. The gunman, Thomas Matthew Crooks, was a member of a local gun club and worked as a dietary aide at a nursing facility. 

He graduated from high school in 2022. Classmates described him as a “loner” and someone who was “bullied.” 

Crooks was registered as a Republican voter though he allegedly donated $15 to a Democratic-aligned political action committee on President Biden’s inauguration day in 2021. 

According to investigators, Crooks fired eight shots from a rooftop about 130 yards away before being taken out by the Secret Service. 

The FBI is looking into whether he used his father’s gun. Law enforcement sources told news outlets the gun was an AR-15 style rifle that was purchased legally. 

Authorities said suspicious devices were found in Crook’s car and at his home. The FBI said his family is cooperating with the investigation.

Former fire chief, father of 2, killed during shooting at Trump rally

The man killed at former President Trump’s campaign rally is being remembered as a hero. Former Fire Chief Corey Comperatore, 50, was a husband and father of two. 

Comperatore’s wife said he dove on top of his family to protect them from the gunshots. 

Gov. Josh Shapiro, D-Penn., described Comperatore as a “girl dad” who went to church every Sunday, loved his family and his community. He added, “Corey was the best of us.” 

Pennsylvania State Police also identified two other victims injured by the gunfire as 57-year-old David Dutch and 74-year-old James Copenhaver. Police said they are both in stable condition.

Secret Service under scrutiny after assassination attempt

The Secret Service is now under scrutiny following the assassination attempt. While the former president is praising agents for their quick action, questions are being raised; the biggest being how the shooter was able to get on top of a roof less than 500 feet from the former president. 

Reports say witnesses spotted the suspect carrying a rifle outside the security area of the rally and alerted local law enforcement. An officer reportedly approached the shooter on the roof. The suspect pointed a gun at the officer who retreated, and moments later the suspect fired at the former president. 

NBC News reports the rooftop where the shots were fired from was identified as a potential vulnerability, but it fell outside the Secret Service’s security perimeter. The agency designated that building to be under the jurisdiction of local law enforcement, which the agency’s spokesman said is not uncommon. 

President Biden has directed an “independent review” of the security measures taken before and after the assassination attempt and has called for a review of security measures being taken at this week’s Republican National Convention.

Political rivals condemn Trump assassination attempt

Leaders from all parts of the world are sending their best wishes to the former president after the close call on his life. Additionally, Republican lawmakers are joined by Democrats — some that are even thought of as Trump’s most staunch political rivals — in condemning the violence.  

“We are praying for him, his family, and all those who have been injured and impacted by this senseless shooting,” Vice President Kamala Harris said in a statement. “Violence such as this has no place in our nation. We must all condemn this abhorrent act and do our part to ensure that it does not lead to more violence.” 

Former Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi posted on X, “As one whose family has been the victim of political violence, I know firsthand that political violence of any kind has no place in our society.”

Pelosi was referring to the 2022 attack on her husband. 

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., also condemned the act, saying in a statement he was “horrified” by the shooting and “political violence has no place in our country.” 

Gov. Josh Shapiro, D-Penn., echoed that sentiment in a post on X, saying, “Violence targeted at any political party or political leader is absolutely unacceptable. It has no place in Pennsylvania or the United States.” 

Former Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush, as well as Trump’s former Vice President Mike Pence, also made statements wishing Trump well and denouncing the violence.

List of RNC speakers released, Melania Trump not slated to speak

In the wake of the assassination attempt on former President Trump, the Republican National Convention will kick off Monday, July 15, in Milwaukee, where Trump will officially accept the party’s nomination. Organizers released the list of speakers over the weekend.  

The list includes Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, two of Trump’s former rivals for the nomination. 

Top contenders to be Trump’s running mate will also speak. Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance and North Dakota Gov. Doug Bergum will speak. Former Fox News Host Tucker Carlson, model and rapper Amber Rose, and UFC CEO Dana White are also on the list.  

The schedule also includes former White House Trade Adviser Peter Navarro, who is currently in jail on contempt of congress charges. Navarro is set to be released from a Miami prison on Wednesday. July 17. 

A notable name not set to speak at the convention is former first lady Melania Trump, who has spoken at the previous two conventions. She will, however, be in attendance.  

Other Trump family members, including Trump’s oldest sons Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, are slated to speak.