A witness has narrated how a man with a rifle was seen on a rooftop minutes before shots were fired at former President of the United States of America, Donald Trump.
As TVN earlier reported, there was an assassination attempt on Trump during his election campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on Saturday.
Greg Smith, who was listening to Trump from outside the event, said the man had crawled on top of a building about 50ft away from the rally.
Smith said on sighting the man, he drew the attention of the police by pointing the guman to them.
The shooter, who has been identified as a 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, according to the New York Post, aimed and shot at Trump, Piercing his ear with a bullet.
The gunman was killed on the spot by the security operatives and Smith told the BBC he saw Secret Service agents shoot the man.
“We noticed the guy bear-crawling up the roof of the building beside us, 50ft away,” he said.
“He had a rifle, we could clearly see a rifle.
“We’re pointing at him, the police are down there running around on the ground, we’re like ‘Hey man, there’s a guy on the roof with a rifle’… and the police did not know what was going on.
“Why is there not Secret Service on all of these roofs here?” he asked.
“This is not a big place.
“[It’s a] security failure, 100% security failure.
“They crawled up on the roof, they had their guns pointed at him, made sure he was dead. He was dead, and that was it – it was over,” he added.
US election: I told police, they didn’t respond – Witness narrates how Trump was shot
US election: I told police, they didn’t respond – Witness narrates how Trump was shot
Labour to suspend proposed strike in Abia, as workers get N15,000 wage award
The proposed indefinite strike earlier planned to kick off on Monday by the organized labour in Abia State is to be relaxed, according to findings by TVN.
This comes after two days of intensive negotiation between the Abia State government, leadership of the organized labour and members of the joint negotiation council.
According to a communique issued at the end of the dialogue, the Abia State government and the organized labour arrived at payment of N15,000 wage award to civil servants for three months, starting from the end of July 2024.
The communique was signed by Calab Ajagba, the Chief of Staff to Governor Alex Otti and two others on behalf of the Abia State government, while Okoro Ogbonnaya, NLC Chairman, and Ihechi Enogwe, TUC Chairman and others signed for the labour. I.M. Ekwenye was the chairman of the joint negotiation council.
It was gathered that while the labour leaders claimed that Abia workers are only being paid N20,100 minimum wage, Abia state government said that available records before it showed that the N30,000 was actually being paid to the civil servants.
The State government used the opportunity of the dialogue to explain the reasons for cancelling the command promotions given to civil servants by the past administration of Okezie Ikpeazu, saying that the cancellation was carried out to sanitize the service.
However, it was agreed by the two parties that promotion of all civil servants who are due for promotion would soon commence.
The government also explained that it cannot offset at once, the 16.5 billion naira which the previous administration owed workers in institutions and parastatals in the state but promised to approach the state House of Assembly for a virement to pay the debt in installment.
Deliberations were also made on staff verifications, payment of retired Permanent Secretaries and retired Directors in Abia State civil service, but no agreement was reached on the issue of gratuity, according to the communique.
However, a member of Trade Union Congress, TUC, who pleaded anonymity, while reacting to the communique, alleged that the Chairman of the joint negotiation council, I.M. Ekwenye, who is a retired civil servant, should not have headed the council, as according to him, Ekwenye was not in the right position to feel the present pain of those still in service.
Labour to suspend proposed strike in Abia, as workers get N15,000 wage award
Imo issues license to Orashi Electricity Company for reliable power supply
Imo State government has granted a license to Orashi Electricity Company to generate, transmit and distribute electricity in the state.
The Commissioner for Power and Electrification, Nwabueze Oguchienti said the approval marks a crucial step towards a constant and reliable electricity supply in Imo State in the coming years.
“This marks a crucial step forward in our efforts to ensure constant and reliable electricity supply,” he said.
On his part, Valentine Obumeyan, General Manager of Orashi Electricity Company Ltd, said “Our mandate is to ensure stable electricity supply in all 27 local government areas of the state within a year. We are ready to support the governor’s vision.”
This means an end to the reliance on Enugu Electricity Distribution Company for electricity distribution in the state.
“We are committed to changing the narrative on power supply within the next year”, he said.
Recall that in June 2024, in line with the Electricity Act 2023, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, transferred regulatory oversight of the electricity market in Imo to the Imo State Electricity Regulatory Commission.
Imo issues license to Orashi Electricity Company for reliable power supply
World leaders condemn Trump rally shooting
World leaders reacted with shock to the wounding of Donald Trump in an assassination attempt against the former US president at an election rally.
Presidents and prime ministers globally spoke out against political violence and expressed their support for those affected by the shooting on Saturday, which killed one bystander and left two other spectators critically wounded.
– Europe –
The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, condemned the attack.
“Once again, we are witnessing unacceptable acts of violence against political representatives,” the bloc’s top diplomat said.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Sunday he was “appalled by the shocking scenes” at the rally.
“Political violence in any form has no place in our societies,” the premier said.
Referring to “these dark hours”, Hungary’s nationalist leader Viktor Orban offered his “thoughts and prayers” to Trump.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said she was “following with apprehension” updates from Pennsylvania and wished Trump a speedy recovery.
The right-wing leader expressed her hope that “in the following months of the electoral campaign, dialogue and responsibility can prevail over hate and violence.”
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said he was “appalled to learn about the shooting” and wished Trump a “speedy recovery”.
“Such violence has no justification and no place anywhere in the world. Never should violence prevail,” he said.
– Americas –
Argentina’s President Javier Milei blamed the “international left” after the assassination attempt.
“In panic of losing at the polls, they resort to terrorism to impose their backward and authoritarian agenda,” said the populist president.
Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said the shooting “must be strongly condemned by all defenders of democracy and political dialogue.”
Costa Rica’s government condemned the attack and said it was following updates on “this unacceptable act”.
“As a leader in democracy and peace, we reject all forms of violence,” the presidency said.
Chilean President Gabriel Boric expressed his “unqualified condemnation” of the shooting.
“Violence is a threat to democracies and weakens our life together. We must all reject it,” said Boric.
In Bolivia, President Luis Arce said “despite our deep ideological and political differences, violence, wherever it comes from, must always be rejected by everyone.”
– Asia Pacific –
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was “deeply concerned by the attack on my friend.”
“Violence has no place in politics and democracies,” said Modi.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida also spoke out against political attacks, saying “we must stand firm against any form of violence that challenges democracy.”
Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te offered his “sincere condolences” to the shooting victims.
“Political violence of any form is never acceptable in our democracies,” he said.
Australia’s Anthony Albanese said he was “shocked by the terrible scenes” at the Trump campaign event, expressing his relief that the former US president was safe.
“This was an inexcusable attack on the democratic values that Australians and Americans share and the freedom that we treasure,” Albanese said.
New Zealand’s Prime Minister Chris Luxon echoed these views, writing “no country should encounter such political violence.”
– Middle East –
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he and his wife Sara “were shocked by the apparent attack on President Trump”.
“We pray for his safety and speedy recovery,” Netanyahu said.
AFP
US election: Trump’s shooter identified as 20-year-old Thomas Cooks
The gunman who attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump Saturday has been identified, according to the New York Post.
He has been identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks.
One of Crooks’ bullets at Bethel Park grazed the former President in the ear during an outdoor rally in Butler, just outside Pittsburgh.
Sources told the New York Post that Crooks was planted on a roof of a manufacturing plant more than 130 yards away from the stage at Butler Farm Show grounds.
Cooks was shot dead by Secret Service snipers and an AR-style rifle recovered from him.
Bethel Park is a village 40 miles south of where the Butler rally was held.
Meanwhile, it remains unclear as to why Crooks attempted to assassinate Trump, who is the presidential candidate of the Republican party.
US election: Trump’s shooter identified as 20-year-old Thomas Cooks
US: Trump assassination attempt will be investigated – Speaker
The Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, Mike Johnson has said a full investigation into the assassination attempt on former US president Donald Trump will be conducted.
Johnson said the Director of US Secret Service, Kimberly Cheatle and other officials of the FBI will appear before the House committee for questioning.
According to Johnson: “The American people deserve to know the truth.
“We will have Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle and other appropriate officials from DHS and the FBI appear for a hearing before our committees ASAP.”
At 6:02 pm on Saturday, an assassination attempt was carried out on Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania.
The assassination attempt was carried out while he was on a campaign train at Fairgrounds.
US: Trump assassination attempt will be investigated – Speaker
Israeli PM, Benjamin Netanyahu expresses shock over assassination attempt on Trump
Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed shock over the assassination attempt on former US President and Republican Party candidate, Donald Trump.
TVN reports that two people died after gunshots were fired at Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday – with the injured former president rushed off stage by security staff, according to the Associated Press.
Video appeared to show blood on Trump’s ear as he was rushed off-stage by security staff.
Reacting via his X handle, Netanyahu wished Trump a speedy recovery.
He wrote, “[My wife,] Sara and I were shocked by the apparent attack on President Trump. We pray for his safety and speedy recovery.”
Israeli PM, Benjamin Netanyahu expresses shock over assassination attempt on Trump
Joe Biden condemns assassination attempt on Donald Trump
US President and Democratic Party candidate in the upcoming election, Joe Biden, has condemned the assassination attempt on his Republican Party counterpart, Donald Trump.
TVN reports that two people died after gunshots were fired at Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday – with the injured former president rushed off stage by armed security, according to the Associated Press.
In a swift statement, Biden strongly condemned the incident, stressing that there was no place for political violence in America.
He commended the secret service for foiling the assassination attempt on the former president.
“Jill and I are grateful to the Secret Service for getting him to safety. There’s no place for this kind of violence in America. We must unite as one nation to condemn it,” the statement added.
Joe Biden condemns assassination attempt on Donald Trump
US Election: Elon Musk endorses Donald Trump
Billionaire businessman, Elon Musk has endorsed former US President and Republican Party candidate, Donald Trump, for the upcoming election.
Musk openly declared his support for Trump on Saturday night while reacting to reports of a shooting at the former President’s rally in Pennsylvania.
Video appeared to show blood on Trump’s ear as he was rushed off-stage by security staff.
The shooting resulted in the deaths of the shooter and one audience member, according to the Associated Press.
Reacting to the incident via his X handle, Musk wrote: “I fully endorse President Trump and hope for his rapid recovery.”
In another post, he wrote: “Last time America had a candidate this tough was Theodore Roosevelt.”
On November 5th, Donald Trump would run against incumbent Joe Biden of the Democratic Party on the platform of the Republican Party in what would be America’s first rematch election in almost 70 years.
US Election: Elon Musk endorses Donald Trump
Trump assassination attempt: Shooter killed – US Secret Service
The United States Secret Service has said the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump at Butler Pennsylvania is under investigation.
Anthony Guglielmi, Chief of Communications of the Secret Service disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.
The Secret Service explained that the shooter fired multiple shots toward the stage from an elevated position outside of the rally venue.
It stated that US Secret Service personnel neutralized the shooter, who is now deceased.
The Secret Service added that the former president, Trump, is safe and being evaluated, stating that one spectator was killed, two spectators were critically injured.
Full text: “During former President Trump’s campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on the evening of July 13th 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 the former president is safe and being evaluated. One spectator was killed, two spectators were critically injured.
“The incident is currently under investigation and the Secret Service has formally notified the Federal Bureau of investigation.”
Trump assassination attempt: Shooter killed – US Secret Service