Former President Donald Trump was wounded in the ear when shots were fired about 6:10 p.m. Saturday at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, about 33 miles north of Pittsburgh.
The Secret Service announced that it had “neutralized,” or killed, the gunman, but as of midnight had not identified him.
Trump was quickly rushed offstage after the shots were fired. He appeared to be bleeding from his right ear.
The former president shook fist pumps at the crowd as he was hustled to safety by a phalanx of Secret Service agents. He appeared to be shouting “Fight!” as he was escorted away.
Trump was taken to a hospital for treatment.
The Secret Service put out a statement soon after the shooting. This was posted on X by Fox News’ Bill Melugin, quoting the Secret Service: “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.”
The Secret Service subsequently stated that it had “neutralized the shooter, who is now deceased. … One spectator was killed. Two spectators critically injured. This incident is currently under investigation and the Secret Service has notified the FBI.”
The Trump campaign announced that the former president and presumptive GOP presidential nominee is OK, and spokesman Steven Cheung said in a statement, according to The Hill, “President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act.”
Trump put out a statement on Truth Social hours after the shooting.
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. 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. 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!
Following the shooting, politicians, media, and other public figures commented and reported on what happened.
President Joe Biden put out an official statement.
I have been briefed on the shooting at Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania.
I’m grateful to hear that he’s safe and doing well. I’m praying for him and his family and for all those who were at the rally, as we await further information.
[First lady Jill Biden] and I are grateful to the Secret Service for getting him to safety. There’s no place for this kind of violence in America. We must unite as one nation to condemn it.
Biden added in brief live remarks to reporters: “We cannot condone this,” adding: “Everybody must condemn it. Everybody.”
Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.—whose father, then a U.S. senator from New York state and running for president, was slain by a political assassin in June 1968—wrote on X, the former Twitter:
From Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas:
From Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., on X:
From entrepreneur Elon Musk:
From Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.
Rep. Keith Self, R-Texas, said that Americans should be outraged at Biden for what Self described as Biden’s having incited violence against Trump.
A man interviewed by a CBS reporter said that he attended to a man who was shot in the crowd.
In an interview with the BBC, another rally attendee said that he saw the shooter.
Dave McCormick, a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, who was in attendance at the rally, told the Fox News Channel that he thought he heard “seven or eight shots” fired.
McCormick, a graduate of West Point and a former Army Ranger, said he was sitting to Trump’s right in the front row, and that Trump was shot from the left.
McCormick said the gunfire “sounded like a small-caliber” weapon, but he “couldn’t tell if it was one or two.”
He called it “a very scary moment” and “very chaotic” and that Trump was “very lucky to be alive.”
Peter Parisi contributed to this breaking news story, which may be updated further.
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