Trump Escapes Assassination Attempt Amid Rising Political Tensions

Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt days before accepting the Republican presidential nomination, intensifying the U.S. political divide and raising security concerns. The suspect, identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, was fatally shot by the Secret Service. The incident has shifted attention in the ongoing Trump-Biden election contest.

Donald Trump survived a weekend assassination attempt days before he is due to accept the formal Republican presidential nomination, in an attack that will further inflame the U.S. political divide and has raised questions about the security lapses.

On Saturday, Trump, 78, had just begun a campaign speech in Butler, Pennsylvania, about 30 miles (50 km) north of Pittsburgh, when shots rang out, hitting the former president's right ear and streaking his face with blood. 'Fight! Fight! Fight!' Trump mouthed to supporters, pumping his fist, as Secret Service agents rushed him away. His campaign said he was doing well and appeared to have suffered no major injury besides a wound on his upper right ear.

The FBI identified 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, as the suspect in what it called an attempted assassination. He was a registered Republican, according to state voter records and had made a $15 donation to a Democratic political action committee at the age of 17. Law enforcement officials told reporters they had not yet identified a motive for the attack. Both Republicans and Democrats will be looking for evidence of Crooks' political affiliation as they seek to cast the rival party as representing extremism.

(With inputs from agencies.)