Tuesday, July 21, 2026

Allow FBI investigate; don’t assume motive, affiliations of Trump’s shooter: Biden

The incident has attracted global condemnation as U.S. authorities promise to investigate further.

• July 14, 2024
President Joe Biden and Donald Trump with blood stained face composite used to illustrate this story
President Joe Biden and Donald Trump with blood stained face composite used to illustrate this story

President Joe Biden has urged Americans to allow the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to do its job and not assume the “motives and affiliations” of the shooter who attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump at a Pennsylvania campaign event on Saturday.

“The FBI is leading this investigation, which is still in its early stages,” Mr Biden said in a press conference at the White House on Sunday. “We don’t yet have any information about the motive of the shooter.”

He added, “We know who he is. I urge everyone, everyone: Please don’t make assumptions about his motives or his affiliations. Let the FBI do their job.”

Mr Biden’s comments come in the wake of the assassination attempt on Mr Trump’s life during his campaign on Saturday in Butler, Pennsylvania. The incident has attracted global condemnation and left many speculating about the motive and political affiliations of the shooter.

The shooting saw a bullet pierce Mr Trump’s ear, leaving one dead and others injured.

“I want to thank the United States Secret Service and all of Law Enforcement for their rapid response to the shooting that just took place in Butler, Pennsylvania. Most importantly, I want to extend my condolences to the family of the person at the rally who was killed,” Mr Trump said after the incident.

The former American president also launched a fundraiser to support victims of the shooting on Sunday.

The shooter, who was identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old Pennsylvanian, was neutralised by Secret Service agents after he opened fire at the campaign event.

The incident has attracted global condemnation as U.S. authorities promise to investigate further. Footage showing Mr Trump with blood on his face and ear has gone viral, capturing the unsettling nature of the shooting.

Saturday’s shooting at Mr Trump’s Pennsylvania rally marked another incident in U.S. political history, adding to the list of presidential candidates who have been shot at.

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Education

UNILAG inaugurates lecture series to promote humanities for global success

The University of Lagos (UNILAG) has inaugurated the English Department Alumni Lecture Series to promote humanities education as a pathway to global opportunities.

German cops

Rights

Germany records 17,126 cases of child sex abuse in 2025

German authorities on Tuesday said that the number of registered cases of child sexual abuse in Germany had risen significantly over the past five years.

Governor Mohammed Bago

Health

Niger agency moves to enforce standards in private health institutions

NiSPHFA has intensified regulatory oversight of private health institutions to ensure compliance with established standards and improve healthcare service delivery.

FRSC men on the road

States

FRSC impounds 39 vehicles for overloading, route violations

The Federal Road Safety Corps says it has arrested 39 vehicles for various traffic offences in the ongoing special enforcement operation across Kebbi.

U.S. citizens in UAE

World

U.S. issues security alert to citizens amid ongoing Mideast conflict

The U.S. Department of State on Tuesday issued the second security alert in three days amid heightened Mideast tensions, advising U.S. citizens to exercise increased caution.

Boko Haram driver

States

Troops kill alleged Boko Haram driver in Yobe

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have killed a suspected Boko Haram driver and foiled an alleged terrorist extortion mission along the Paya Kafiya–Garin Gada area of Yobe.