God was his protector.

At a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, former President Donald Trump narrowly avoided an assassination attempt by a 20-year-old gunman. Trump expressed his belief that divine intervention was the key to his survival. The shooting occurred shortly after Trump began his speech, when Thomas Matthew Crooks from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, fired from a distant vantage point, hitting the upper part of Trump’s right ear.

During the attack, Corey Comperatore, a 50-year-old rally attendee, was killed while heroically shielding his daughters from the gunfire. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro praised Comperatore’s bravery, and his daughter, Allyson Comperatore, highlighted on social media how her father sacrificed himself to protect his family.

The shooter also injured two other individuals in the crowd, identified as David Dutch, 57, from New Kensington, and James Copenhaver, 74, from Moon Township. Both men are reported to be in stable condition following the incident.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump, the leading candidate for the 2024 Republican nomination, thanked those who prayed for him and expressed gratitude for the support received. He stressed the importance of remaining strong and united in the face of adversity and paid tribute to Comperatore and the other victims.

Melania Trump also released a statement reflecting on the potential impact of the attack on her life and that of their son Barron. She extended her deepest sympathies to the families affected and condemned the shooter’s attempt to harm her husband, underscoring her appreciation for his personal qualities beyond his public persona.

Trump has also endorsed a GoFundMe campaign for the victims, organized by Meredith O’Rourke, his 2024 campaign’s national finance director. The fundraiser has successfully raised over $3.9 million as of Monday morning.

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