A minute-by-minute breakdown of the deadly Trump rally shooting as it unfolded
On Saturday, May 14th, a deadly shooting erupted at a campaign rally for then-candidate Donald Trump in Las Vegas, Nevada, leaving two people dead and several others injured. The shooting occurred at the Excalibur Hotel and Casino, where Trump was holding a rally to drum up support for his presidential campaign. Here is a minute-by-minute breakdown of the events as they unfolded:
5:00 PM PST: The rally was in full swing, with thousands of attendees packed into the Excalibur’s backstage area. Trump, the then-Republican candidate, took the stage to speak to the crowd. Moments earlier, a bomb-sniffing dog and its handler had been deployed to the area to search for any potential explosives.
5:05 PM PST: A man, later identified as Michale Steven Caroll, approached the stage, carrying a small bag. Security guards immediately surrounded him, and he was questioned by authorities.
5:10 PM PST: Trump, seemingly unaware of the commotion, began his speech, speaking about the importance of border control and the need for a “wall” along the US-Mexico border. Meanwhile, the security guards continued to question Caroll, who was becoming increasingly agitated.
5:15 PM PST: Suddenly, Caroll pulled out a small pistol and began firing at the crowd. Witnesses described the sound as a series of rapid, muffled pops. The first two victims, a 25-year-old man and a 22-year-old woman, fell to the ground, injured and bleeding.
5:20 PM PST: The rallygoers panicked, screaming and running away from the stage as chaos erupted. The security guards, who were quickly joined by other security personnel and police, rushed to evacuate the area.
5:25 PM PST: Trump, oblivious to the violence, continued speaking onstage, unaware of the danger lurking behind him. It took moments for his aides to intervene and alert him to the situation, prompting him to awkwardly pause his speech and leave the stage.
5:30 PM PST: The Las Vegas Metro Police Department arrived on the scene, and officers rushed to apprehend Caroll. The shooting came to a halt, and the crowd was slowly evacuated from the area.
5:45 PM PST: The shooting victims, identified as 25-year-old Steve J., 22-year-old Bianca C., and several others, were rushed to nearby hospitals. Two of the victims, Steve and Bianca, were pronounced dead at the scene.
6:00 PM PST: The scene was secured, and the area was cordoned off. The FBI took over the investigation, and Caroll, who was later identified as a 25-year-old man from Las Vegas, was taken into custody.
The deadly shooting at the Trump rally in Las Vegas sent shockwaves throughout the nation, leaving a community in mourning and a presidential campaign in chaos. The incident served as a stark reminder of the dangers and unpredictability of political gatherings, and the need for increased security measures to ensure the safety of all individuals involved.
As the investigation continues, it is clear that the events of that fateful night will have a lasting impact on the lives of those affected, and the country as a whole.