Tag: News

• The Trump rally shooter featured briefly in a BlackRock ad from 2022, the company said.
• Thomas Matthew Crooks "appeared in the background" during the ad and was not paid, per BlackRock.
• Crooks can be seen in a 30-second ad focusing on an AP Economics teacher in Bethel Park High School.

BlackRock, the world's largest money manager, said on Sunday that it had removed one of its ads from 2022 that featured Thomas Matthew Crooks, the 20-year-old identified by authorities as the man who shot and injured former President Donald Trump.

The company told Bloomberg and Reuters that Crooks was a student who was briefly seen in the ad and was not paid for his appearance.

"In 2022, we ran an ad featuring a teacher from Bethel Park High School, in which several unpaid students briefly appeared in the background, including Thomas Matthew Crooks," the company said in a statement to Reuters.

Crooks graduated from Bethel Park High School in 2022 and was reported that year to have received a $500 award from the National Math and Science Initiative.

BlackRock gave neither outlet further information about the footage but told Bloomberg it would remove the ad from circulation and provide the clip to authorities.

The company also called the assassination attempt on Trump "abhorrent."

Crooks appears briefly in a 30-second TV BlackRock ad featuring an AP and Honors Economics teacher at Bethel Park High School. In the clip, Crooks is seen in a classroom and appears to be speaking to the teacher.

BlackRock's press teams did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent outside regular business hours by Business Insider.

Authorities said agents shot Crooks dead after he opened fire on Trump at a Saturday rally in Pennslyvania. Trump said later that his ear was struck by at least one bullet, causing it to bleed.

The FBI has designated the incident as an assassination attempt.

BlackRock, which oversees about $9.1 trillion in assets, is expected to release its Q2 earnings on July 15.

• OpenAI CEO Sam Altman made a call for unity following the failed assassination of Donald Trump.
• The tech billionaire said the nation needs to "turn down the rhetoric and find slightly more unity."
• "I am happy to see most Democrats having the grace to step up and lead on this point," Altman said.

The failed assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump has left OpenAI CEO Sam Altman with a lot to think about.

"Thinking a lot about what a difference an inch can make to history," Altman wrote in an X post on Sunday.

"Hoping this can be a moment where we stare into the abyss and be grateful that there but for the grace of god went we, and collectively decide to turn down the rhetoric and find slightly more unity," he continued.

Altman also commended the Democratic Party's response toward the shooting: "I am happy to see most Democrats having the grace to step up and lead on this point, and resisting the urge to both-sides it."

Representatives for Altman didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider sent outside regular business hours.

On Saturday, a gunman tried to assassinate Trump during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

The Secret Service said that one rallygoer died in the shooting while two others were left critically injured. The shooting suspect, a 20-year-old man named Thomas Matthew Crooks, was shot dead.

Trump later said in a Truth Social post on the same day that he'd been wounded by "a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear."

After the shooting, Altman, like other business leaders, posted that they were relieved Trump got out safe.

According to Texas Rep. Ronny Jackson, Trump's former White House doctor, Trump said he survived the shooting because he happened to tilt his head to look at a chart on immigration statistics.

"He said, 'If I hadn't pointed at that chart and turned my head to look at it, that bullet would have hit me right in the head,'" Jackson, who'd previously served as Trump's White House physician, told The New York Times in an interview on Sunday.

Like Altman, both Trump and President Joe Biden made similar calls for unity.

"In this moment, it is more important than ever that we stand United, and show our True Character as Americans, remaining Strong and Determined, and not allowing Evil to Win," Trump wrote in a Truth Social post on Saturday.

"Let's remember, here in America, while unity is the most elusive of goals right now, nothing is more important for us now than standing together. We can do this," Biden said in an Oval Office address on Sunday.

• "House of the Dragon" teased a major character in its season two premiere.
• Hugh is a blacksmith, and one of the common folk in King's Landing. 
• But in "Fire and Blood" he plays a major role — read ahead if you want to be spoiled! 

Warning: Spoilers ahead through season two, episode five of "House of the Dragon" and the book "Fire and Blood."

"House of the Dragon" is keeping us on our toes in season two — and the premiere briefly introduced an important figure from George R.R. Martin's book "Fire and Blood." Now, a few episodes in, we're starting to learn a bit more about him.

In the season two premiere, Aegon II Targaryen hears petitions from the common folk. One of the petitioners is more important than the others: Hugh the blacksmith (Kieran Bew), who asks Aegon for an advance on the smiths' payment for weapons.

If you couldn't tell by the lingering, close-up shot of Hugh's face during his introduction, here's your PSA: You should remember his face. Assuming he's the same Hugh from "Fire and Blood," the book on which "House of the Dragon" is based, we'll see much more of him down the line.

Hugh is shown in 'House of the Dragon' as a father

In season two, episode two, Hugh and his wife converse at their home about the price of food as they tend to their sick daughter. Hugh assures his wife that Aegon has promised him an advance — but she's skeptical.

By episode five, the money hasn't come through. Aegon is badly injured after his clash with Rhaenys, Aemond, and their dragons Meleys and Vhagar, and his brother Aemond is ruling in his stead. With King's Landing falling into unrest, Hugh's wife urges him to leave for Tumbleton, where her brother resides. Hugh is reluctant, but the couple attempts to leave the city with their daughter.

Unfortunately, they fail, stalled by Aemond's order to close the city gates. But at the end of episode five, Rhaenyra's son Jacaerys has an idea to seek out others with Targaryen blood who could mount a dragon — and it's one that could potentially bring Hugh into the fold.

In 'Fire and Blood,' Hugh is a dragonrider

During the Dance of the Dragons, as recounted in "Fire and Blood," Jacaerys decides to recruit potential dragonriders from the breadth of Targaryen bastards. He puts out a call for recruits, promising rewards like knighthood, lands, and glory to those who are able to successfully mount a dragon.

Not everyone was able to do so. According to "Fire and Blood," Grand Maester Munkun (one historical source) recounted that 16 men died during the trials, while tens of them were injured. Hugh, a "blacksmith's bastard" with incredible physical strength, mounted the dragon Vermithor. Others also succeeded, mounting the dragons Silverwing, Seasmoke, and Sheepstealer.

Vermithor — we know him, right?

That you do. "House of the Dragons" viewers encountered Vermithor in season one. The previous mount of King Jaehaerys, Viserys' predecessor, and was riderless after his death.

Daemon Targaryen very briefly encounters Vermithor in the season one finale when he seeks him out underneath Dragonstone. Singing a song in High Valyrian, Daemon doesn't seem to get very far with Vermithor — but he doesn't get burnt to a crisp, which is still a net win.

Vermithor isn't the biggest dragon that we've seen in "House of the Dragon" — that honor goes to Aemond's big, beautiful girl Vhagar — but he's still pretty big.

Now, if you want potential major spoilers for the show…

What happens to Hugh in the books?

The fictional history of Westeros recounts how Hugh fought in the war as a dragonrider. In one battle, Rhaenyra's forces clashed with a naval fleet from the Triarchy, with whom Otto Hightower had engineered an alliance. During the battle, Hugh and Vermithor fought alongside the dragons Silverwing, Sheepstealer, Seasmoke, their riders, Jacaerys, and his dragon Vermax.

However, Hugh and Ulf White, Silverwing's rider, defected later in the war during the battle of Tumbleton, though their motivations were disputed in the historical record. Their betrayal caused the city to fall into the hands of Ormund Hightower's forces, accompanied by Prince Daeron Targaryen, as well as Hugh and Ulf themselves.

Hugh eventually demanded to sit on the Iron Throne himself, leading the lords under Daeron's command to conspire to kill him. However, Addam Velaryon, bonded to Laenor Velaryon's former dragon Seasmoke, attacked the town. During the subsequent second battle of Tumbleton, Hugh was killed.

"House of the Dragon" season two airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and is streaming on Max.

• Aegon suffers a pretty bad fall in season two, episode four of "House of the Dragon."
• We got an update on his condition in the latest episode, and it's not pretty.
• Here's where Aegon stands in the show and what happens to him in "Fire in Blood" — spoilers ahead, obviously.

Warning: Spoilers ahead for season two, episode five of "House of the Dragon" and the book "Fire and Blood."

"House of the Dragon" finally stopped pulling its punches, and it's time for all-out war.

That's right: Dragons are finally on the table in the war between Rhaenyra Targaryen and her half-brother, Aegon II, over the Iron Throne. Season two, episode four depicted the Battle of Rook's Rest, an event from its source material, "Fire and Blood," that exacts a heavy toll.

Instead of predictably heading to seize Harrenhal from Prince Daemon, Ser Criston Cole leads his forces instead to Rook's Rest. It's seemingly a ploy to lure one of Rhaenyra's dragons out, and it works: Rhaenyra sends Princess Rhaenys and her dragon, Meleys, the "Red Queen."

Unfortunately for Criston Cole and Aemond, his partner in crime, Aegon chooses that moment to take charge, flying into the battle on his dragon Sunfyre. The episode leaves Aegon's fate ambiguous — but episode five gave us an update on his condition. Past that, we can look to "Fire and Blood" for clues. If you care about book spoilers (and, in turn, potential show spoilers), turn back.

Aegon chooses the wrong moment to play the hero

All in all, Criston and Aemond had a pretty good plan at Rook's Rest: lure one of Rhaenyra's dragons out, and destroy them with Vhagar, Aemond's gigantic mount.

But Aegon is far more spurned, and far more foolish, than either of them planned. And when he arrives on the battlefield with Sunfyre, it's immediately clear that Rhaenys and Meleys have him outmatched. Meleys grievously wounds Sunfyre before Vhagar even enters the battlefield.

But Aemond isn't there to save his brother. In fact, this may even be an opportunity to take him out along with one of Rhaenyra's most powerful allies. While Meleys has Sunfyre pinned in the air, Aemond orders Vhagar to set fire to them all, and Sunfyre and Aegon plummet into the forest.

After the battle's dismal conclusion, Ser Criston seeks Aegon out. Aemond has beat him to the crash site, and what they find isn't pretty: Aegon lies limp on the ground, surrounded by a smoking, groaning Sunfyre.

But in episode three, Aegon dons a set of Valyrian steel armor that he says belonged to Aegon the Conqueror. It's this armor he appears to wear to the battle.

We know from "Fire and Blood" that "common fire" cannot melt Valyrian steel. In the book, Vhagar lights Aegon the Conqueror's funeral pyre, which incinerates his body but leaves his Valyrian steel blade, Blackfyre, unharmed. But it wasn't enough to protect Aegon.

Aegon is alive, but completely out of commission

In episode five, Criston parades Meleys' head through King's Landing, much to the horror of its denizens. Unbeknownst to them, Aegon's unconscious body follows behind, hidden inside a box.

The maesters tend to Aegon in his chambers, but he does not awake. Much of his body is covered by gruesome burns, and in some cases, the Maesters must peel his armor from where it has fused to his skin. At that moment, it's unclear if he will survive.

Grand Maester Orwyle informs the small council later in the episode that despite his Valyrian steel armor, Aegon's burns were severe and he has numerous broken bones. Past that, he still may have internal injuries.

"I must admit I am not sure he will ever wake," Orwyle says. "I have plied my crafts to their fullest extent. Our King's fate lies with the gods now."

With Aegon unable to rule, the council names Aemond as regent to rule in his stead. Later in the episode, Alicent sits at Aegon's bedside as he rests, his left leg elevated and his breaths coming in wheezes.

Aegon and Sunfyre survive in the book — but they're pretty beat up

In "Fire and Blood," Meleys, Vhagar, and Sunfyre all clash during the Battle of Rook's Rest. The dragon fight ends when Vhagar falls onto Meleys and Sunfyre from above, killing Meleys and Rhaenys. Sunfyre and Aegon, however, survive.

They're not in great shape, though. One of Sunfyre's wings is half-ripped off his body, grounding him near the castle. According to the book, he remains there, consuming the corpses from the battle, and later livestock brought by Ser Criston.

Like in the show, Aegon sustains severe injuries: a broken hip and broken ribs. His burns are also severe, and his armor melts into the skin of his left arm.

George R. R. Martin writes in "Fire and Blood" that Aegon's burns "brought him such pain that some say he prayed for death." His injuries force him into a yearlong bed rest, during which the maesters attend to him and he sleeps through the pain. Obviously, that means he's unfit to rule, and Aemond assumes his duties as Prince Regent.

Aegon and Sunfyre do eventually die, though

Later in the war, a small force loyal to Rhaenyra takes back Rook's Rest and attempts to kill Sunfyre. They don't succeed, but shortly after, Sunfyre is nowhere to be found.

When Rhaenyra takes King's Landing, Aegon is gone, as are his remaining children, Jaehaera and Maelor. According to one historical record referenced in "Fire and Blood," Larys Strong smuggled them out of the city, setting Aegon aboard a fishing boat bound for Dragonstone.

Aegon hides there until Sunfyre makes his way to the island after disappearing for half a year, his wing healed enough to barely allow him to fly. The two begin to fly together again, and eventually, a force loyal to Aegon takes over the island. Aegon and Sunfyre are forced to fight Baela, Daemon and Laena's daughter, and her dragon, Moondancer. The clash leaves Moondancer dead, Sunfyre unable to fly again, Aegon with two broken legs after jumping out of the saddle, and Baela taken prisoner.

But it also leaves Aegon in possession of Dragonstone. When Rhaenyra arrives, he promptly feeds her to his dragon, Sunfyre. Shortly after, Sunfyre dies.

Aegon returns to King's Landing after his mother, Alicent, strikes an accord with Lord Corlys Velaryon, lifting the Velaryon blockade that prevented his return. There, he sits not on the Iron Throne but on a seat at its steps as a result of his broken legs.

The King then seeks revenge on those who acted against him during the war, forcing lords in the surrounding crownlands to submit to him. But while Aegon's council frets over how to quell the coming rebellion from across Westeros, Aegon is preoccupied with matters of succession: He wishes to marry Lady Cassandra Baratheon and produce new heirs.

(In the book, Aegon's sister-wife, Helaena, dies by suicide after the death of their son Maelor.) Similarly, he wants to prevent the betrothal of his daughter Jaehaera to Rhaenyra's son Aegon the Younger so as to finish off Rhaenyra's bloodline.

Eventually, with armies encroaching on King's Landing, Aegon is poisoned while being carried in his litter to the sept via a cup of laced wine.

"House of the Dragon" season two airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and is streaming on Max.

• China's economy grew 4.7% in Q2, missing the 5.1% growth forecast by analysts.
• June data showed exports were strong, but domestic consumption was weak with retail sales growth of just 2%.
• China's disposable income grew in the second quarter of this year, but consumers are reluctant to spend.

China's belt-tightening consumers are dragging on the country's economy even as external demand supports exports, official data released on Monday shows.

China's economy grew 4.7% in the second quarter of this year from a year ago, according to the National Bureau of Statistics — missing the 5.1% growth analysts polled by Reuters had expected. The growth was also slower than the 5.3% growth China posted in the first quarter of 2024.

Growth was dragged by weak consumption, with retail sales expanding just 2% in June from a year ago. In comparison, June exports hit a record $99 billion, signaling strong demand elsewhere in the world.

The fresh data shows China's economy continues to be bogged down by its real-estate crisis, stock-market volatility, geopolitical headwinds, and demographic challenges.

People are just not spending enough

Even though disposable income grew in the second quarter of this year, consumers in China are reluctant to spend.

Weak consumer demand is bad for China's economy, as it can contribute to a vicious cycle of deflationary pressure on the back of slowing wage growth and spending.

Still, Beijing framed China's first-half growth — which came in at 5.0% — as "generally stable with steady progress."

However, it also acknowledged challenges in the consumption space.

"We should be aware that the external environment is intertwined and complex, the domestic effective demand remains insufficient and the foundation for sound economic recovery and growth still needs to be strengthened," China's National Bureau of Statistics said on Monday.

Economic outlook for the second half of the year

China's economic outlook isn't that rosy for the second half of this year either.

Nomura economists said in a report last week that China's first-quarter growth was helped by measures including property stimulus.

However, they added that headwinds remain in the second half of the year, including the "tapering of post-COVID pent-up consumer demand."

Slow domestic demand in China could pose an even bigger problem later this year and ahead amid geopolitical uncertainties.

"Growth dependence on external demand with the current resilience in manufacturing may also breed concerns of any escalating trade tensions, at a time where polls have been leaning towards a likely Donald Trump's presidency for now," Yeap Jun Rong, a market analyst at trading platform IG, wrote on Monday, following China's data release.

China is navigating a difficult economic transition from one focused on property and lower-end manufacturing to the hot new sectors of electric vehicles, batteries, and solar cells — but the sectors' growth may cool in the second half of this year after the investment frenzy slows, wrote the Nomura economists.

Beijing has a growth target of around 5% for the world's second-largest economy — a number analysts have said is ambitious.

• Jacaerys "Jace" Targaryen is Rhaenyra Targaryen's eldest child and heir in "House of the Dragon."
• In season two, Jace is keen to fight in the civil war despite his mother's protests.
• Here's how Jace dies in George R. R. Martin's "Fire and Blood" and might die in the series.

Warning: Major spoilers ahead for "House of the Dragon" season two and the book "Fire and Blood."

Jacaerys "Jace" Targaryen could be the next major character to die in "House of the Dragon" if season two follows the storyline of the George R. R. Martin book it's based on.

After the success of "Game of Thrones," HBO has turned Martin's prequel novel "Fire and Blood" into another Emmy-winning hit series.

In season two, the Blacks, led by Rhaenyra, and the Greens, led by Aegon II, fight for the Iron Throne. Fans eagerly tune into the series each Sunday to see if their favorite character will be the next person slain in the civil war.

So far, the war has claimed the lives of two children on either side and Rhaenys Targaryen (Eve Best). Aegon II (Tom Glynn-Carney) was also left in critical condition after the Battle of Rook's Rest in episode four.

If the TV series follows the "Fire and Blood" timeline, Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D'Arcy) may soon lose another child to the war.

In episode four, fearing she may die in the war, Rhaenyra passes on "The Song of Ice and Fire" prophecy to her heir and son, Jace (Henry Collett).

Despite knowing the importance of his family line staying alive, Jace is still eager to fight in the war. In episode five, he acts recklessly, leaving Dragonstone castle to find more allies without telling his mother.

In the books, Jace is also a bold warrior, which eventually leads to his death. Here's how Jace dies in the prequel novel and why he might be the next character to die in the "House of the Dragon"TV series.

Jacaerys Targaryen and his dragon Vermax are killed during a battle against the Triarchy.

In "Fire and Blood," Jace dies in the Battle of the Gullet, which comes after the Battle at Rook's Rest.

After losing Meleys and Rhaenys at Rook's Rest, Jace helps recruit new Dragonriders to support the Blacks and sends his younger brothers (Joffrey, Aegon the Younger, and Viserys) away to safety.

Meanwhile, Otto Hightower, the former advisor of Aegon II, reaches out to the Triarchy, the army that Deamon Targaryen (Matt Smith) and Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint) defeated in season one. Otto persuades the Triarchy to join the Greens to attack Corlys again.

Instead, the Triarchy ambushes Aegon and Viserys on a ship to Pentos. Aegon the Younger escapes on his dragon, Stormcloud, and tells his family about what happened, but Viserys only has a Dragon's egg, so he is captured.

Jace goes off to fight the Triarchy on his dragon, Vermax, with his four newly recruited Dragonriders: Hugh Hammer on Vermithor, Addam of Hull on Seasmoke, Ulf White on Silverwing, and Nettles on Sheepstealer.

The dragons and the fleet push back the Triarchy, but Vermax flies too low during the battle and is struck down. Jace jumps on a wrecked ship to escape but is struck down by a crossbow.

Since the Battle at Rook's Rest occurred in season two, episode four, and Jace proposed the idea of recruiting more Dragonriders in episode five, the Battle of the Gullet could be adapted this season.

We have three episodes left, and there is not a lot of source material left to cover between Rook's Rest and Gullet.

The "House of the Dragon" writers may have changed the circumstances of Jace's death. Jace's brothers have been safely escorted to Pentos with his step-sister Rhaena Targaryen (Phoebe Campbell), but the Triarchy could still attack the Blacks another way, leading to Jace's death.

The next episodes of "House of the Dragon," which air on Sundays on HBO, will likely indicate whether Jace is next to be killed.

• The war between the Blacks and the Greens heats up in "House of the Dragon" season two.
• Rhaenyra Targaryen needs new dragonriders to give her the edge over her enemies.
• Here's all the dragonriders who might appear in season two.

Warning: Major spoilers ahead for "House of the Dragon" season two, episode five.

The Dance of Dragons has finally begun in "House of the Dragon," and it's about to get even more dramatic as Rhaenyra Targaryen attempts to recruit new dragonriders for her army.

Things kicked off at the end of episode four when Vhagar, Meleys, and Sunfyre all battled in the sky above Rook's Rest.

Rhaenys Targaryen and Meleys were killed in the fight, while King Aegon Targaryen and Sunfyre were critically injured. This is war, after all.

In episode five, Rhaenyra is left in a vulnerable position without the fury of Rhaenys and Meleys to bolster her forces, which leads her to make a controversial decision.

At the end of the episode, she decides to look for illegitimate Targaryen heirs in the hope that they can bond with some of the dragons still living underneath Dragonstone.

So, here are all the new dragonriders that might appear in "House of the Dragon" season two.

Ulf the White: Silverwing

Ulf the White has already popped up a few times. He witnessed the hanging of the ratcatchers after the murder of Targaryen toddler, Jaecaerys, and he was also in the bar when Aegon took his new Kingsguard knights out for a drink.

During the boozy night, Ulf quietly explains to the table that his father was Baelon the Brave, which makes him the illegitimate brother of Daemon and Viserys Targaryen.

Should the show continue to be faithful to "Fire & Blood," Ulf will bond with a dragon called Silverwing. In the book, Ulf rides the dragon with the Blacks to win a huge fight at sea called the Battle of the Gullet.

However, he later defects to the Greens during the Hightowers' siege of Tumbleton.

Hugh Hammer: Vermithor

Hugh Hammer is another dragonrider who audiences have already met. He's the blacksmith whose daughter is suffering from an illness in the first few episodes of season two.

Unlike Ulf, Hugh hasn't spoken about his Targaryen lineage in the show, and it isn't clear who he's descended from.

His role in the series so far has been to shine a light on the smallfolk, and to show how normal people are affected by the war. But things will change for Hugh he becomes a dragonrider.

In the book, he's able to ride Vermithor, the large dragon that Daemon attempted to bond with back in the first season.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWAOsRLbhaU?si=LCf9WW-BgTLOogB_&w=560&h=315]

Like Ulf, Hugh eventually betrays the Blacks in "Fire and Blood" and sides with the Greens during the battle of Tumbleton.

Addam of Hull: Seasmoke

In season two, the show developed Corlys Velaryon as a character by introducing two brothers, Addam and Alyn of Hull, who are two shipwrights in the Velaryon army.

They are Corlys' bastard children, although he hasn't confirmed that yet.

When the call goes out for dragonriders, Addam bonds with Seasmoke — the dragon who was previously owned by Laenor Velaryon (John MacMillan).

Rhaenyra also legitimizes Addam, which makes him the heir to Driftmark.

Alyn of Hull: Rejected

In the book, Alyn of Hull is not as fortunate as his brother. It details how he attempted to bond to Sheepstealer, but the dragon rejects and burns him.

Although Alyn doesn't get to ride a dragon into battle, like his brother, his story doesn't end there.

Corlys recognizes the brothers as rightful Velaryons, and Alyn is given control of the Velaryon fleet.

Nettles: Sheepstealer

After Sheepstealer rejected Alyn, a young girl called Nettles eventually charmed the dragon by killing sheep and leaving their bodies for it to eat. It's not explained whether she has Targaryen blood, or if she's just clever enough to use the unconventional tactic.

Nettles hasn't appeared in "House of the Dragon" yet, which is strange since it has already introduced the other potential dragonriders.

It's unclear whether showrunner Ryan Condal will bring her in at the last minute to fill out the dragon ranks.

"House of the Dragon" might exclude her completely, and it wouldn't be the first time important characters from the books have been left out. Prince Daeron Targaryen and Maelor Targaryen are absent from the series.

To be fair, it's tricky balancing so many characters, action, dragons, and political intrigue, so it would be understandable if the show decided not to introduce Nettles.

• Alphabet is nearing a deal to buy cybersecurity startup Wiz for $23 billion, per WSJ.
• Sources told The Wall Street Journal that the tech giant is in advanced talks to buy the startup.
• Wiz was founded in 2020 and became one of the fastest growing startups a year later.

Google's Alphabet is closing in on a deal to purchase Wiz, a four-year-old cloud cybersecurity startup, for about $23 billion, sources familiar with the talks told The Wall Street Journal.

The sources said that the search engine giant is in advanced talks to buy the company, and a deal is imminent, assuming those talks don't fall apart.

According to The New York Times, Wiz will be Google's largest acquisition if the purchase goes through.

Spokespeople for Google and Wiz did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Founded in March 2020, Wiz is a startup that offers security for companies that utilize cloud storage providers such as Amazon Web Services.

In less than a year, the startup was evaluated at $1.7 billion and soon secured investments from Salesforce, Blackstone, and Algae, making Wiz one of the fastest-growing startups at the time, Business Insider previously reported.

But Alphabet's potential acquisition of Wiz comes at a time of great antitrust scrutiny from the Biden administration.

The Justice Department sued Google in 2020, accusing the search engine giant of monopolization. A verdict on the yearslong, landmark trial is expected later this year.

• Donald Trump was wounded, a bystander killed, and two were injured during a campaign rally shooting.
• The would-be assassin fired up to eight shots before being killed by the Secret Service.
• Here's a minute-by-minute breakdown of how the incident unfolded.

A chaotic scene unfolded Saturday following a fatal shooting at a campaign rally for Donald Trump that left the former president wounded, a bystander dead, and two more critically injured.

The would-be assassin fired as many as eight shots, according to analysis of the footage by Business Insider, as well as The New York Times, ABC News, and NBC News, before Secret Service agents killed him.

Early reports indicated eyewitnesses saw the shooter on a roof near the rally site and tried to warn law enforcement of the danger, prompting immediate criticism about how security at the event was handled.

Here's a minute-by-minute breakdown of how the harrowing incident unfolded, pieced together from video footage of the rally and official statements made after the shooting.

Between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. ET on Saturday, July 13 — a crowd gathered to watch Donald Trump's campaign rally

Thousands of attendees came to see former President Donald Trump speak at a campaign rally at Butler Farm Show, a fairgrounds venue in Butler, Pennsylvania. Doors to the event opened at 1 p.m., drawing a large crowd in 90-degree heat.

Trump was originally scheduled to speak at 5 p.m. local time.

6:02 p.m. ET — Trump took the stage, waving to the crowd

The former president took the stage about an hour after his remarks were set to begin. At 6:02 p.m., he walked toward the microphone, waving to the crowd.

Lee Greenwood's song "God Bless the USA" was playing in the background. Trump, clad in a red "Make America Great Again" hat, appeared in good spirits.

Between 6:02 p.m. and 6:11 p.m. ET — Trump began his remarks and eyewitnesses spotted the shooter

Trump began his remarks at the rally shortly after 6 p.m. He marveled at the size of the crowd that had gathered to support him, took off-script jabs at the "fake news" media, and began describing how the country is "going to hell."

Eyewitness accounts revealed that the would-be assassin was spotted on a nearby roof as Trump took the stage.

"We noticed a guy bear crawling up the roof of the building beside us, probably 50 feet away," one witness told the BBC. "So we're pointing at the guy crawling up the roof…he had a rifle; we could clearly see him with a rifle."

The man told the BBC he and his friends attempted to warn the Secret Service of the shooter's presence and tried to alert local police.

"The police were like, 'Huh, what?' Like they didn't know what was going on," he said. "I'm thinking, why is Trump still speaking? I'm pointing at the roof… for two to three minutes, and the Secret Service is just looking at us."

The Washington Post and Associated Press reported the suspected gunman came face-to-face with a local police officer while on the roof, but the officer was unable to subdue him.

6:11 p.m. ET — The first gunshot rang out

As Trump began speaking about immigration statistics, he turned slightly to his right toward a chart onstage about illegal border crossings.

"Take a look at what happened…" Trump said. It was at that moment the first three shots rang out.

The FBI later confirmed the gunman was armed with an "AR-style" rifle that was legally purchased.

Trump could be seen raising his right hand to his right ear and grimacing before ducking below the podium.

The shooter was located less than 500 feet away from the stage

The suspected shooter was later determined to have been located on the roof of a building next to the rally — about 450 feet away from Trump's location on the podium.

6:12 p.m. ET — Secret Service agents laid atop Trump onstage after he was shot at

Secret Service agents rushed the stage, surrounding Trump and laying atop him after he appeared to be struck.

"Get down! Get down! Get down! Get down!" one agent could be heard yelling as several additional shots rang out.

Several bystanders in attendance at the rally were struck in the incident. One spectator was killed, and two more were wounded.

Additional Secret Service agents quickly exchanged fire with the suspected shooter, killing him.

"Shooter is down," an agent could be heard saying from the stage.

6:13 p.m. ET — Secret Service agents surrounded Trump as they began to usher him offstage

A group of Secret Service agents helped Trump to his feet. Blood could be seen on the former president's face and he briefly appeared disoriented. Trump could be heard asking for his shoes.

6:13 p.m. ET — Trump defiantly raised his fist and shouted 'Fight, fight, fight' as he left the stage

As he was ushered off the stage, Trump could be heard telling the Secret Service agents around him to "wait."

The agents gave Trump a moment to collect himself, and in the brief pause amid the flurry of movement, he raised his fist and shouted at the crowd to "Fight, fight, fight!"

By 6:14 p.m. ET — Trump was ushered safely off the stage and into a waiting car. His motorcade quickly departed.

Trump could be seen raising his fist in the air as he got into the motorcade vehicle. The motorcade was followed by an ambulance.

6:42 p.m. ET — The Secret Service confirmed Trump was 'safe' following the shooting

"An incident occurred the evening of July 13 at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania," Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi posted on X, roughly half an hour after Trump left the stage. "The Secret Service has implemented protective measures and the former President is safe. This is now an active Secret Service investigation and further information will be released when available."

An incident occurred the evening of July 13 at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania. The Secret Service has implemented protective measures and the former President is safe. This is now an active Secret Service investigation and further information will be released when available.

— Anthony Guglielmi (@SecretSvcSpox) July 13, 2024

8:42 p.m. ET — Trump posts on Truth Social about the incident

"I want to thank The United States Secret Service, and all of Law Enforcement, for their rapid response on the shooting that just took place in Butler, Pennsylvania," Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social. "Most importantly, I want to extend my condolences to the family of the person at the Rally who was killed, and also to the family of another person that was badly injured."

He added: "It is incredible that such an act can take place in our Country. Nothing is known at this time about the shooter, who is now dead. I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear. I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin. Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening. GOD BLESS AMERICA!"

8:49 p.m. ET — The Secret Service confirmed the shooter had been 'neutralized,' 1 rally attendee had been killed, and 2 more injured

Secret Service spokesman Guglielmi in a statement posted on social media wrote he was "grateful to the Secret Service team and our law enforcement partners for their swift action," and sent condolences to the families of those killed and wounded in the incident.

The statement indicated the suspected shooter "fired multiple shots toward the stage from an elevated position outside of the rally venue."

"US Secret Service personnel neutralized the shooter, who is now deceased," the statement continued. "US Secret Service quickly responded with protective measures and the former president is safe and being evaluated. One spectator was killed, two spectators were critically injured."

Here is the latest information from our investigation. We are grateful to the Secret Service team and our law enforcement partners for their swift action. Our thoughts go out to the families affected by this tragedy. pic.twitter.com/E8FazqtUVZ

— Anthony Guglielmi (@SecretSvcSpox) July 14, 2024

10:33 p.m. ET — The FBI announced it would take the lead on the investigation

The Secret Service quickly came under intense scrutiny for the "major failure" that allowed the former president to be shot during the event.

Amid the criticism, the FBI released a statement indicating it would take the lead on the ongoing investigation into the shooting.

"We will continue to support this investigation with the full resources of the FBI, alongside our partners at the US Secret Service and state and local law enforcement," the statement read.

Updated FBI statement on the ongoing incident that took place today in Butler, Pennsylvania. pic.twitter.com/zWr5ZqyJBI

— FBI Pittsburgh (@FBIPittsburgh) July 14, 2024

11:55 p.m. ET — An FBI press conference confirms the incident is being investigated as an assassination attempt

Kevin Rojek, a spokesperson for the FBI, in a press briefing that extended past midnight on Sunday morning, said the agency had deemed the incident an attempted assassination of the former president.

1:34 a.m. ET on Sunday July 14 — FBI releases shooter's name: Thomas Matthew Crooks

"The FBI has identified Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, as the subject involved in the assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump on July 13, in Butler, Pennsylvania," a statement released by the FBI read.

The statement continued: "This remains an active and ongoing investigation, and anyone with information that may assist with the investigation is encouraged to submit photos or videos online at fbi.gov/butler or call 1-800-CALL-FBI."

Additional information about Crooks has continued to be reported following officials' confirmation of his identity. Here's what we know about him so far.

After 12 p.m. ET — Corey Comperatore was identified as the victim killed in the shooting

In a Sunday post on Facebook, Allyson Comperatore wrote a memorial for her father, Corey Comperatore, identifying him as the victim who was killed during the rally shooting.

Corey Comperatore was a 50-year-old volunteer firefighter and father of two.

"The media will not tell you that he died a real-life super hero," Allyson Comperatore wrote on Facebook. "They are not going to tell you how quickly he threw my Mom and I onto the ground. They are not going to tell you that he shielded my body from the bullet that came at us."

She added: "He was a man of God that loved Jesus fiercely… I know that God is proud of the man that came to His gates yesterday."

Comperatore's identity was confirmed by the state's Governor Josh Shapiro Sunday afternoon.

A Trump-backed GoFundMe for Comperatore and other victims of the shooting had raised over $3.175 million at the time of publication.

• An assassination attempt was made against Donald Trump at a Pennsylvania rally on Saturday.
• President Joe Biden, speaking from the Oval Office, condemned the attack and political violence.
• Americans resolve political differences "at the ballot box, not with bullets," Biden said.

President Joe Biden on Sunday called for calm and denounced all forms of political violence following the assassination attempt against his political rival Donald Trump at a Pennsylvania rally on Saturday.

Addressing the nation from the Oval Office, he acknowledged how he and Trump have differing visions for America and that his political opponent will likely criticize him on his record. But those differences, he said, must be settled "at the ballot box, not with bullets."

"The power to change America should always rest in the hands of the people, not in the hands of a would be assassin," the president said. "The path forward, through competing visions of the campaign, should always be resolved peacefully, not through acts of violence."

Biden notably cited recent acts of political violence and threats perpetrated against Democrats, mentioning the attack against Nancy Pelosi's husband and a plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. The president also cited the January 6 storming of the Capitol.

A Trump spokesperson did not immediately return a request for comment.