Trump says he is “not afraid” in new statement after attack

Donald Trump has issued a new statement following the assassination attempt at his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Through his Truth Social platform, the Republican thanked everyone for their prayers and thoughts, while promising to remain “strong and defiant.”

“Thank you all for the thoughts and prayers yesterday. It is as if it was God alone who prevented the unthinkable from happening. We will not be AFRAID, but will stand strong in our faith and defiant in the face of evil,” said Trump, who has just arrived in New Jersey.

The Republican leader’s statement came hours after the FBI identified Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, as the person who tried to kill Trump. The suspect, who lives in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, was eventually shot dead by authorities.

According to an FBI statement, Crooks fired between five and seven shots during an outdoor rally in Butler, a town just outside Pittsburgh. One of the shots grazed Trump in the ear, according to law enforcement sources. Another person was reported dead from the gunshot wounds.

Investigations, which were compiled by the New York Post, revealed that Crooks managed to get close to the stage by crawling across the roof of a manufacturing plant located more than 130 yards from where the rally was taking place, on the grounds of the Butler Farm Show.

“I was shot with a bullet that went through the top of my right ear. There was a lot of bleeding so I knew what was happening,” Trump said Saturday via Truth Social, in his first statement following the shooting. “I knew immediately something was wrong because I heard a whistling sound, gunshots and immediately felt the bullet go through my skin,” the Republican candidate added.

With information from EFE

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