Monday, July 15, 2024
Updates on Trump assassination attempt
Here are updates on the assassination attempt on Donald Trump on Saturday at a rally in Pennsylvania.
The shooter was identified as a 20-year-old man from Pennsylvania, Thomas Matthew Crooks. He brought an AR-style 556 rifle that was purchased by his father with him as he climbed up on a shed that was about 400 feet away from Trump’s podium.. He fired several shots at Trump and hit him in his right ear, causing Trump to bleed.
The FBI said they are still trying to figure out a motive. They said they believe Crooks acted alone. The FBI is trying to gain access to his phone.
Crooks worked at a nursing home and lived about 35 minutes away from the Trump rally. He was a registered Republican and once made a donation to a Democratic-aligned group. Crooks was a member of a local gun club. His former high school classmates said he tried out for the school’s rifle team but did not make the team. Those who knew him said they were very shocked that he would do something like this.
A local police officer said during the rally, before the shooting happened, he and his fellow officers received calls about a suspicious person who was near the rally. These officers saw a man on a roof. As one officer helped another cop to climb up to the roof, they saw Crooks point a gun at them. That cop took cover and Crooks then started firing towards Trump.
Crooks was shot and killed by the Secret Service. When police searched his car, they found bomb-making materials. It was sent to the FBI lab in Virginia for further analysis.
The other bullets that Crooks fired hit three people in the rally audience. One of them was tragically killed and two others were injured. The person who was killed was a firefighter and a father named Corey Comperatore. The two injured people were hospitalized and are now in stable condition. They are a 57-year-old man and a 74-year-old man. A GoFundMe for the three victims raised over one million dollars.
There are now many people who are demanding answers on how the shooter was able to gain access to a roof not far from where Trump was speaking.
There is now a lot of attention on the Republican National Convention, which will begin on Monday in Milwaukee. Trump is attending and has already arrived in the Milwaukee area. Secret Service and other security officials said they have already prepared extensively for the event and that there are no signs of increased danger.
Trump recently said in an interview that he “is supposed to be dead” and that it is a “miracle” that he is still here.
President Biden gave an address from the Oval Office last night and said it’s time to cool down the political rhetoric in this country. He said politics must never be a literal battlefield.
https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-rally-shooting-07-14-24/index.html
https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/trump-shooting-statement-joe-biden-updates/
https://www.axios.com/2024/07/15/biden-trump-conflicting-goals-2024-election
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-breaks-silence-assassination-attempt-im-not-supposed-here
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Spain wins Euro; Argentina wins Copa
On Sunday, Spain’s national soccer team won the European Championship by defeating England 2-1. Spain was considered the best team all tournament as they never lost in the group stage and scored the most goals throughout. Congratulations to Spain.
Also on Sunday, Argentina defeated Colombia 1-0 to win the Copa America soccer tournament. Argentina star player Lionel Messi was injured during the game and his ankle was visibly swollen. The game was delayed for more than an hour after crowds of fans breached security gates. Congratulations to Argentina.
Spain and Argentina will play against each other sometime next summer (2025) in a special game called the Finalissima.
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Richard Simmons and Shannen Doherty passes away
Two celebrities passed away over the weekend: fitness guru Richard Simmons and actress Shannen Doherty.
Simmons died at his home in Los Angeles on Saturday. It is not known the cause of death, but in March, he revealed he had skin cancer. In the 80s, Simmons became famous for his unique look and outfits and for his positive weight-loss approach.
Doherty passed away on Saturday after a battle with breast cancer. She was a television star in the 90s and 2000s with her roles in “Beverly Hills, 90210” and “Charmed.”
https://apnews.com/article/fitness-guru-richard-simmons-obituary-db369da9e7f54f17bbbb1331af43508f
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Trump classified documents case dismissed
Donald Trump’s classified documents case was dismissed by a Florida federal judge today.
The judge, Aileen Cannon, said it was because the Department of Justice’s appointment of special counsel Jack Smith was unlawful because it did not have approval from the Senate.
This was a surprising decision because there have been special counsels appointed in the past who were able to complete their investigations and prosecutions without Senate approval. One example is the recent prosecution of President Joe Biden’s son, Hunter, which was organized by a special counsel.
Axios said the big picture is that Trump is unlikely to face another trial before Election Day.
https://www.axios.com/2024/07/15/trump-classified-documents-case-dismissed-cannon
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Alec Baldwin trial dismissed
The trial against actor Alec Baldwin related to the accidental shooting on the film set of “Rust” in New Mexico was dismissed on Friday.
The judge in the case made the decision after finding that the state (prosecution) withheld evidence from the defense. This evidence was an envelope of ammunition.
During trials, either side is required to share evidence with the other and you cannot bring up surprises or new evidence. So because of this, the judge ordered the involuntary manslaughter case against Baldwin to be dismissed with prejudice, meaning that there cannot be any future prosecution.
Baldwin was emotional and wept in court because he was facing prison time but is now a free man.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/12/arts/rust-trial-pause-alec-baldwin-shooting.html