FBI special agent talks about investigation into ‘assassination attempt’ after Secret Service protects Trump at rally

The FBI on Saturday took over the investigation into the shooting that injured former President Donald Trump. The US secret service described the incident as a “possible assassination attempt.”

Shortly before midnight, Kevin P. Rojek, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Pittsburgh field office, told reporters that agents were conducting interviews and that the agency had dispatched investigators, including explosives experts.

“We are not ready to reveal the name at this time,” Rojek said about the publication of the shooter’s identity.

Rojek said biometric confirmation of the shooter’s identity is still pending and that suspicious packages were found near the shooter.

“We have to treat all suspicious packages as if they were an explosive device,” said Rojek.

During the press conference, Lieutenant Colonel George Bivens of the Pennsylvania State Police stated that his agency was investigating the death of the protester and the two injured people in parallel with the FBI’s investigation into the attack.

“The shooter killed a victim,” Bivens said.

The shooter died, according to Butler County District Attorney Richard A. Goldinger. Bivens said police responded to “several suspicious incidents” during the rally at the farm. Rojek said the investigation is ongoing.

“We had no specific threat intelligence related to this event,” Rojek said.

VIDEO OF THE FILMING

Trump released a statement on Truth Social.

“I was hit with a bullet that pierced the top of my right ear,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “I knew immediately something was wrong because I heard a whooshing sound, gunshots and immediately felt the bullet cut through the skin.”

RELATED STORY | “I was hit with a bullet”: Trump releases statement on Truth Social after shooting

A witness nicknamed “Greg” told the BBC that he was at the rally when he saw a suspicious man armed with a rifle crawling “like a bear on the roof” of a nearby building and alerted the police.

“And suddenly five shots rang out,” he said.

During the shooting, Trump stopped speaking to the crowd, held his right ear and moved further behind the podium. US Secret Service surrounded Trump. The witness said he saw US Secret Service kill the gunman.

“They climbed up on the roof, pointed their guns at him and made sure he was dead,” the witness said. “He was dead, and that was it. It was over.”

The loud communication between the agents suggested a coordinated response. Someone near Trump shouted: “The shooter is down!”

When Trump stood up, covered in blood, he raised his right fist as U.S. Secret Service agents formed a ring around him to protect him as they led him away from the podium.

RELATED STORY | Biden and Harris show solidarity with Trump after shooting during rally

The agents led him out of the crowd and into a vehicle. Some in the crowd screamed in fear. The US Secret Service counterattack group in military gear stormed into the rally to search for the threat. US Secret Service agents in suits brandished their weapons.

Rico Elmore, a Republican who spoke at the rally, told CNN he had just walked away from the stage where Trump was standing when the shooting happened and saw a man he had never met before being shot.

“I jumped over the barrier and put my hand on the man’s head, which was bleeding profusely,” Elmore said.

The US Secret Service later released a statement saying the incident was the subject of an “ongoing investigation.”

RELATED STORY | Ivanka Trump after the shooting: “I continue to pray for our country”

Police cleared the rally and cordoned off an area with police tape. A police helicopter flew over the area.

Steven Cheung, a spokesman for the Trump campaign, issued a statement: “President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act. He is doing well and is being evaluated at a local medical facility. Further details to follow.”

Watch ABC News live

Photos from the rally

ABC News Video

This is a developing story. CNN, ABC News and the Associated Press contributed to this report. Torres reported from Local 10 News headquarters in Pembroke Park.