Donald Trump was whisked off the stage at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania after apparent gunshots rang through the crowd.
Trump was showing off a chart of border crossing numbers when bangs started ringing through the crowd. Trump could be seen reaching with his right hand toward his neck. There appeared to be blood on his face.
The shooter is dead and a rally attendee killed at the event, the Butler County district attorney told AP.
The shooting is being investigated as an attempted assassination of the former president and presumptive Republican nominee, law enforcement officials say.
Two officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the ongoing investigation publication.
The shooter was not an attendee at the rally and was killed by U.S. Secret Service agents, the official said, adding the person was on the roof of a building outside the venue.
The officials said the shooter was engaged by members of the U.S. Secret Service counterassault team and killed. The heavily armed tactical team travels everywhere with the president and major party nominees and is meant to confront any active threats while other agents focus on safeguarding and evacuating the person at the center of protection.
The attack was the first attempt to assassinate a president or presidential candidate since Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981. It comes amid a deeply polarized political atmosphere, just four months from the presidential elections and days before Trump is to be officially named the Republican nominee at his party’s convention.
Donald Trump’s campaign said in a statement that he was “fine” after being whisked off the stage at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania after apparent gunshots rang through the crowd.
Trump himself posted on social media post, thanked the U.S. Secret Service and law endorsement for their “rapid response” and also extended his 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,” he said.
Trump said he was “shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear.”
He wrote on his Truth Social site that he, “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!
Ivanka Trump wrote on her X account: "Thank you for your love and prayers for my father and for the other victims of today's senseless violence in Butler, Pennsylvania. I am grateful to the Secret Service and all the other law enforcement officers for their quick and decisive actions today. I continue to pray for our country. I love you Dad, today and always"
After the shots rang out Trump quickly ducked behind the riser as agents from his protective detail rushed the stage and screams rang out from the crowd. The bangs continued as agents tended to him on stage.
The crowd cheered as he got back up and pumped his fist.
His motorcade has left the venue. His condition was not immediately known.
Police began vacating the fairgrounds shortly after Trump left the stage.
The U.S. Secret Service and other law enforcement agencies did not immediately respond to messages.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said he had been briefed on the situation and condemned the incident, saying that “violence targeted at any political party or political leader is absolutely unacceptable.”
President Biden was briefed about the shooting, sources said.
Biden said he is waiting for additional information before formally calling the attack an attempted assassination on the former president.
“I have an opinion, but I don’t have any facts,” he told reporters, pledging to provide updates as he learns more.
Biden said he was relieved that Trump is reportedly “doing well.” He pledged to update the public either later Saturday on whether they speak, as well as additional details about the investigation.
“It’s sick. It’s sick,” he said during a news briefing.
Politicians continue to condemn political violence
- “Political violence is terrifying. I know,” said former Rep. Gabby Giffords, who was shot in the head in 2011 while at a meeting with her constituents. “I’m holding former president Trump, and all those affected by today’s indefensible act of violence in my heart. Political violence is un-American and is never acceptable—never.”
- House Speaker Mike Johnson wrote on social media: “This horrific act of political violence at a peaceful campaign rally has no place in this country and should be unanimously and forcefully condemned.”
- Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont said on X, formally Twitter, that political violence is “absolutely unacceptable” and “I wish Donald Trump and anyone else who may have been hurt, a speedy recovery.”