Original article (in Albanian) was published on 2/8/2024; Author: Ilda Hoxha
Claim: Donald Trump was shot by three different weapons during the assassination attempt
Verdict: Lacks context
One of the recent theories circulating on social media claims that Donald Trump was hit by three different weapons during the assassination attempt in Pennsylvania on July 13.
‘Scientific analysis of the audio indicates that Trump was hit by three weapons, according to CNN,’ writes a Facebook user, who also shared a photo showing a hole in the presidential candidate’s jacket.
Posts shared on social media
In response to these claims, we conducted a verification based on official information. According to the data released so far about the attack on Trump, it has been confirmed that the identified attacker, Thomas Matthew Crooks, acted alone.
According to CNN, which is cited as the source for the three weapons mentioned in the post, the shooter used an AR-15 rifle bought by his father in 2013. He took position on the roof of a building roughly 120 to 150 meters from the podium. Investigators have confirmed that Crooks acted alone, firing eight shots at the former president before being killed by U.S. Secret Service snipers.
CNN also reports: ‘Forensic analysis of the evidence from the scene shows that at least two different firearms were fired. Specifically, it is noted that one of these firearms was used by law enforcement in response to the situation.’
At a press conference, Kevin Rojek, the FBI special agent overseeing the Pittsburgh office, remarked on the ‘astonishing’ fact that the shooter was able to fire multiple shots at Trump during the event.
‘A detailed investigation will be conducted to determine exactly what occurred, how the individual gained access, and what type of weapon was used,’ CNN reports.
CNN further states: ‘Following the shooting, several law enforcement sources reported that investigators found a bulletproof vest, three fully loaded magazines, and two remote-controlled explosive devices in Crooks’ vehicle.
‘Reports so far do not indicate that Trump was struck by three different weapons.
The social media post includes a photo purportedly showing Trump being shot in the chest.
In reality, the photo shows a fold in the jacket of a Secret Service agent who used it to shield Trump after the shooting. Additional images from the scene clearly show that Trump’s jacket does not have a bullet hole.
This is confirmed by a verification conducted by ‘Associated Press‘ colleagues. Additionally, videos reveal that the ‘hole’ seems to shrink as the agent moves.
The photo, captured by an AP photographer, shows the agent crouching to shield Trump, with her jacket appearing slightly darker than the former president’s. Therefore, the supposed hole is actually a crease in the sleeve of a Secret Service agent’s jacket, not a bullet impact.
Trump stated on his social media platform that he was struck by a bullet that penetrated the upper part of his right ear. Photos and videos from the attack show blood on his right ear and the right side of his face.
The Secret Service has declined to provide details about the shooting and has not disclosed whether Trump was wearing a bulletproof vest.
