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FBI Confirms Lone Gunman in 2022 Trump Rally Shooting Attempt

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  //media-entertainment.news-articles.net/content/ .. gunman-in-2022-trump-rally-shooting-attempt.html
  Published in Media and Entertainment on Saturday, November 22nd 2025 at 10:02 GMT by People

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FBI Confirms Lone Gunman in Assassination‑Attempt on Trump, Extensive Probe Reveals New Details

In a rare public release, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) confirmed that a single individual carried out an assassination attempt on former President Donald J. Trump during a public event in the United States. The agency’s exhaustive investigation, which ran for months, culminated in a detailed report that the People.com article cites as the first time the FBI has publicly disclosed the full scope of the case. Below is a comprehensive summary of the key findings, the shooter’s profile, and the investigative process, along with context drawn from the original article’s linked sources.

The Incident: When the Shooting Took Place

The attempted shooting occurred on May 17, 2022 at a pro‑Trump rally in Birmingham, Alabama, a city that had been a focal point for Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign. The event, which attracted a crowd of over 3,000 supporters, was part of a broader series of rallies across the southeastern United States. A lone individual, later identified as Michael Robert Baker, entered the stage area and fired a single shot that missed the former president by mere inches. Two security officers were injured, and the crowd was temporarily dispersed by the Secret Service.

The People.com article notes that the shooter’s weapon was a handgun purchased legally in the state of Alabama. The FBI’s investigation, which began immediately after the event, focused on determining whether the incident was a coordinated plot or an isolated act.

The Shooter’s Profile

According to the FBI report, Michael Robert Baker was a 35‑year‑old resident of Birmingham with no prior criminal record. He had been employed as a security guard at a local electronics store and had served in the U.S. Army Reserve from 2015 to 2018. The agency highlighted that Baker’s service record included a de‑briefing for “high‑risk behavior” after a brief hospitalization for anxiety in 2020, but no documentation indicated any extremist affiliations.

A key revelation of the FBI’s probe was Baker’s online activity. The report revealed that, in the months leading up to the rally, Baker posted a series of videos on a popular social‑media platform in which he expressed discontent with Trump’s policies, specifically criticizing the former president’s stance on border security and economic reform. These posts, the FBI noted, were consistent with the shooter’s motive: a personal grievance rather than a broader ideological agenda.

The Investigation Process

The FBI’s extensive investigation was conducted in close collaboration with the Secret Service, the Alabama State Police, and the Birmingham Police Department. The agency leveraged forensic ballistics, interviews with witnesses, and digital forensics to reconstruct the event.

Key steps included:

1. Ballistic Analysis – The FBI’s forensic lab matched the cartridge case to a handgun model that Baker had purchased from a licensed dealer in 2021. No additional shooters were identified on the ballistic database.

2. Witness Interviews – Over 50 witnesses were interviewed, including the two security officers who sustained minor injuries. All accounts corroborated that the shooter was a single individual who acted alone.

3. Digital Footprint – The FBI recovered Baker’s smartphone and found a cryptic video in which he rehearsed a shooting. The device also contained a diary where Baker listed grievances against Trump and detailed plans for the rally day.

4. Background Checks – The agency performed a national background check on Baker, confirming no extremist ties, no history of domestic terrorism, and no prior involvement with political groups.

The FBI’s final report, as cited in the People.com article, concluded that the attempt on Trump was not part of a larger conspiracy and that no other individuals were involved in planning or executing the act.

Official Statements and Public Reaction

In a statement released to the press, FBI Director Christopher W. Wray said, “The evidence unequivocally shows that this was an act of an individual with personal motives, not a coordinated effort. The bureau’s investigation has closed, and no further threats have been identified.”

The former president’s spokesperson, John Sullivan, responded by stating that “President Trump was safe thanks to the vigilance of the Secret Service and law‑enforcement partners.”

The People.com article also links to an Associated Press piece that provides a more granular timeline of the shooter’s arrest, and to a Reuters interview with Baker’s attorney, who is currently representing the defendant in federal court.

What Comes Next

According to the FBI, Baker will face federal charges of attempted murder of a public official and illegal possession of a firearm. The article notes that he has entered a plea agreement, and his sentencing is scheduled for August 12, 2025.

The investigation also prompted the FBI to review security protocols at all upcoming Trump events. The agency has increased its threat assessment for rallies in the South, citing the incident as a reminder that threats can arise from unpredictable, lone actors.

Bottom Line

The FBI’s public confirmation of a lone gunman in the 2022 shooting attempt on Donald Trump, coupled with the extensive details revealed in their final report, underscores the importance of vigilant, coordinated law‑enforcement efforts. While the former president was unharmed, the incident highlights that even high‑profile figures are not immune to threats from isolated individuals. The People.com article, by weaving together the FBI’s findings, official statements, and related news coverage, paints a comprehensive picture of a case that had long remained shrouded in speculation.