'He had a head shot': Physician at Donald Trump's rally attempts to save severely injured victim

Trigger Warning: This article contains some graphic information and content that may trigger some readers. Discretion is advised.

BUTLER, PENNSYLVANIA: An emergency room physician attending Donald Trump's campaign rally in Pennsylvania played a critical role in aiding a seriously injured rallygoer after a sniper attack targeted the former president and the crowd.

The physician, who was part of the audience on Saturday, July 13, quickly responded to the chaos that ensued after shots were fired.

Recalling the events, the physician mentioned initially mistaking the gunfire for firecrackers. "I heard the shots, I thought it was firecrackers to begin with. Somebody over there was screaming 'he's been shot, he's been shot,'" he told a CBS News reporter.

Wearing a Make America Great Again baseball cap and a blood-soaked white “USA” shirt, he described the frantic scene as he rushed to assist the injured.

Medical aid during Trump rally

Upon reaching the wounded man, the doctor found him "jammed" between rally bleachers, bleeding profusely from a head wound with visible "brain matter." He recounted, "With the help of other rallygoers, we were able to get the man onto a flat surface and administer CPR."

Despite the immediate aid, it was unclear if this injured man was the same individual later confirmed deceased by authorities at the Butler Farm Show grounds in Butler, Pennsylvania.

Amid the chaos, Donald Trump was swiftly escorted offstage. He later shared on social media that he sustained an injury when a bullet grazed the upper part of his right ear. The Secret Service confirmed that Trump was checked at a local hospital and was declared safe.

His son, Donald Trump Jr, reassured the public through CBS News’ Robert Costa, stating that his father is "doing fine."

The US Secret Service confirmed that the shooting resulted in two fatalities: the gunman and an audience member. Additionally, two other spectators were critically injured. The identities of the shooting victims were not released, but it was confirmed that all victims were male.

The agency stated, "US Secret Service personnel neutralized the shooter, who is now deceased."

Numerous shots were heard by reporters, who also witnessed the Secret Service rushing the stage. CBS News captured video footage showing Trump touching his ear and crouching to the ground, with blood visible on his face. After being escorted away in a motorcade, Trump raised his fist as he entered an SUV.

Early Sunday morning, the FBI identified the shooter as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. Kevin Rojek, the special agent in charge of the FBI Pittsburgh office, addressed the media, labeling the incident as an "attempted assassination."

Although he refrained from speculating on a motive, Rojek confirmed that the FBI, alongside the Secret Service and local agencies, is leading the investigation.

Details on shooter’s position and security challenges

Law enforcement sources revealed that the suspect used an AR-style rifle, firing from a distance of 200-300 feet. Positioned atop a shed outside the Secret Service's security perimeter, the shooter managed to fire multiple rounds.

Rojek noted the "surprising" nature of the gunman’s ability to discharge several shots, though he withheld further details regarding the circumstances and the ongoing investigation.

Authorities also discovered suspicious packages near the shooter’s location. As a precaution, bomb assets were deployed to clear the area for investigators, though no confirmation was provided on whether any explosives were found.

"Right now, we're tracking down all leads, and doing all interviews, and tracking anything that we can regarding suspicious locations, vehicles... that's all related to this event," Rojek stated.

Pennsylvania State Police Lt Col George Bivens commented on the immense challenge of securing a public venue against determined attackers, emphasizing the difficulty of the Secret Service’s task. "It is incredibly difficult to have a venue open to the public, and to secure that against any possible threat," Bivens noted.

Earlier in the evening, Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi assured the public that protective measures were in place and that Trump was safe. The agency later elaborated, detailing the incident and confirming the deaths and injuries.

"During Former President Trump's campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on the evening of July 13 at approximately 6:15 p.m., a suspected shooter fired multiple shots toward the stage from an elevated position outside of the rally venue. US Secret Service personnel neutralized the shooter, who is now deceased. US Secret Service quickly responded with protective measures and Former President Trump is safe. One spectator was killed, and two spectators were critically injured. This incident is currently under investigation. and the Secret Service has notified the FBI," the statement read.

The Trump campaign expressed gratitude towards law enforcement and first responders in a statement, noting, "President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act. He is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility." Trump was released from the hospital later that night.