By The opinion
14 Jul 2024, 12:33 PM EDT
Former President and Republican candidate Donald Trump said on Sunday that he is not afraid and will remain strong and defiant after he survived an assassination attempt at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday.
“Thank you all for the thoughts and prayers yesterday. It’s like it was God alone who stopped the unthinkable from happening. We will not be AFRAID, but will remain strong in our faith and defiant in the face of evil.”the former president, who is in New Jersey, said in a comment on the social network Truth Social.
The president, as he did on Saturday, referred to the family of the deceased as well as to the injured people, for whom he asked for a speedy recovery.
“At this moment, it is more important than ever that we stand together and show our true character as Americans by staying strong and determined and not allowing evil to win,” he added.
Trump said he hopes to be able to attend the Republican National Convention in Wisconsin, which begins tomorrow, and on Thursday he plans to make official his nomination as the party’s candidate for the November elections.
Donald Trump was injured in Pennsylvania
In a previous message on his social network, Trump explained that The bullet fired by the shooter went through the top of his right ear.
“I was hit by a bullet that pierced the top of my right ear. I knew immediately that something was wrong as I heard a whizzing sound, gunshots, and immediately felt the bullet tearing the skin. There was a lot of bleeding, so I realized at that moment what was happening,” he said.
“I want to thank the United States Secret Service and all law enforcement agencies for their swift response to the shooting that just occurred in Butler, Pennsylvania,” he said in the text released shortly after the attack.
He added: “Most importantly, I want to extend my condolences to the family of the person at the rally who was killed and also to the family of another person who was seriously injured. It is incredible that such an act can occur in our country.“.
Man who attacked Donald Trump identified
The FBI has identified the shooter as a white male from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, who goes by the name Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20 years old.
Authorities are currently unsure of his motives and whether he was a so-called ‘lone wolf’ or had an accomplice.
Pittsburgh-based local outlet WTAE says the shooter used an AR-15-style rifle and fired eight shots before being shot dead by Secret Service agents.
Authorities have confirmed that the deceased attacker killed one rally-goer, wounded Trump in the right ear and left two other people in the crowd seriously injured.
With information from EFE
Keep reading:
• What is known about the shooter who attacked Donald Trump in Pennsylvania
• The dramatic photos released after the shooting at Donald Trump’s rally
• Donald Trump’s son was the first to react on social media after the shooting