Trump shooting updates: Shooter flew drone near site hours before shooting

One spectator was killed and two were hurt in the shooting on July 13.

Last Updated: July 24, 2024, 4:49 PM EDT

Federal authorities are investigating after former President Donald Trump was shot in the ear in an assassination attempt at an election rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13.

The alleged shooter was killed by snipers. One spectator was killed and two were hurt, officials said.

    Jul 14, 2024, 3:49 PM EDT

    Shooting suspect was rejected from high school rifle club

    The man suspected of shooting Donald Trump previously sought to join his high school’s rifle club, but was rejected and asked not to return, two students who were members of the team at the time told ABC News.

    The suspect, Thomas Crooks, attended what was described as "preseason" for the rifle club, which is held before tryouts, but he did not make it to the tryouts, the two team members said. Both students said Crooks was a "bad shot," with one adding that he wasn't the right "fit."

    "He didn't just not make the team -- he was asked not to come back because how bad of a shot he was. It was considered like, dangerous," classmate Jameson Myers told ABC News.

    "On the first day of preseason, he basically couldn't even hit the target," Myers said.

    The team’s coach declined to comment and referred questions to the school district. A spokesman for the school district did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

    -ABC News' Olivia Rubin

    Jul 14, 2024, 3:12 PM EDT

    2 injured victims upgraded to stable condition

    The two people injured in Saturday’s shooting have been upgraded from critical condition to stable condition, according to the Pennsylvania State Police.

    Police identified 57-year-old David Dutch, of New Kensington, Pennsylvania, and 74-year-old James Copenhaver, of Moon Township, Pennsylvania, as the injured shooting victims.

    Killed in the shooting was Corey Comperatore, 50, of Sarver, Pennsylvania.

    Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of Comperatore, a firefighter who leaves behind a wife and two daughters.

    Corey Comperatore is seen in this undated image shared by his family.
    Facebook

    Jul 14, 2024, 2:31 PM EDT

    No motive known, Biden says

    President Joe Biden said he had a "short but good conversation" with former President Donald Trump on Saturday night in the wake of the shooting.

    "I am sincerely grateful that he’s doing well and recovering," Biden said in an address to the nation on Sunday.

    Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is rushed offstage by U.S. Secret Service agents after being grazed by a bullet during a rally, July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pennsylvania.
    Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

    No motive is known, Biden said, and he urged the public to not make assumptions.

    Biden stressed that he has called on the FBI to conduct a "thorough and swift" investigation, and he said "investigators will have every resource they need to get this done."

    Biden said he’s directed the head of the Secret Service to review all security measures for the Republican National Convention, which begins on Monday in Milwaukee.

    "We'll share the results of that independent review with the American people," Biden said.

    President Joe Biden speaks from the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, July 14, 2024, about the apparent assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania.
    Susan Walsh/AP

    He added, "I've been consistent in my direction of the Secret Service to provide [Trump] with every resource, capability and protective measure necessary to ensure his continued safety."

    Biden extended his "deepest condolences" to the family of the rallygoer who was killed and said he's "praying for a full recovery of those who were injured."

    Biden said he will speak from the Oval Office at 8 p.m. ET on Sunday.

    Jul 14, 2024, 2:26 PM EDT

    Trump will leave for Milwaukee on Sunday afternoon

    Former President Donald Trump said he will head to Milwaukee for the Republican National Convention on Sunday afternoon.

    Trump wrote on social media that he was going to delay the trip by two days, "but have just decided that I cannot allow a 'shooter,' or potential assassin, to force change to scheduling, or anything else."

    -ABC News’ Kesley Walsh

    Related Topics