Former President Donald Trump spoke out Saturday evening after an attempt was made on his life at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania.
The presidential candidate posted on Truth Social Saturday evening, thanking the Secret Service for protecting him and expressing sorrow at the reported death of an attendee.
“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 said in the Truth Social post. “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,” he added. “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!”
The president’s comments come after shots rang out at a Trump rally on Saturday night in Butler, Pennsylvania. Photos of the incident show a bloodied Trump defiantly raising a fist in the air.
Trump’s speech began around 6 p.m. Shortly afterward, video footage shows, the former president appeared to fall to the ground, or duck below his lectern, following the sound of gunshots, and the Secret Service swarmed around him before leading him offstage and into a vehicle. Photos of the incident show a bloodied Trump defiantly raising a fist in the air.
Fox News reported as of 8 p.m. on Saturday that the gunman was dead and two others had been injured and taken to a Pittsburgh hospital. Butler is about 33 miles north of Pittsburgh.
The president’s son, Donald Trump Jr., told ABC News that Trump is under observation, but in “good spirits” and is “never going to stop.”
“An incident occurred the evening of July 13 at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania,” the Secret Service said in a statement on Saturday evening. “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.”
This is a breaking news story and may be updated.