Most people would not have guessed that July 13th would be marked as a historical event in American history. At 5:11 PM, former president Donald J. Trump’s ear was grazed at an election rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. A spectator was killed alongside with two others being injured during the shooting. Fortunately, Trump was safely removed from the stage by Secret Service agents. The gunman, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, a native of Butler, Pennsylvania died by gunshot later that day. In retrospect, the bullet would have entered Trump’s brain if it came a quarter inch closer to him. According to ABC News, “The shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, accessed the roof of the AGR building using mechanical equipment on the ground and piping on the side of the building, FBI Director Christopher Wray told the House Judiciary Committee.” Many questions still remain unanswered about the events leading up to, during and after the tragic incident.
Within hours after the shooting, conspiracy theories spread like wildfire on numerous social media platforms. These theories started ranging from there being a second shooter at a nearby water tower to President Joe Biden ordering a hit on his political rival. Emma Li of CBS News wrote, “Within hours of the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump, social media users circulated misleading visuals and accounts to falsely claim there was a second gunman atop a water tower at the rally venue.” Although this conspiracy was put to rest when local law enforcement and Secret Service agents confirmed that there was one sole shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks. Additionally, multiple people believed President Joe Biden was behind the attempted assassination considering the great rivalry and friction between the two. Despite the fact these rumors and conspiracy theories have circulated around the world of social media, most have been put to rest. “Incidents of political violence spawn conspiracy theories and false narratives when people try to spin the event to suit their various agendas,” Megan Squire, deputy director for data analytics at the Southern Poverty Law Center’s Intelligence Project, told The Washington Post.”
Fortunately, former President Donald Trump is safe and has recovered from his injury. Above all, we wish peace and blessings to the families, friends, victims, and anyone else affected by the July 13th, 2024 shooting.
