UPDATE: Donald Trump said that he was “shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear,” providing his first comments since he was injured in a shooting at a rally in Pennsylvania this evening.
In a statement on Truth Social, Trump said 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.”
The Secret Service confirmed that the suspected shooter fired multiple shots toward the stage “from an elevated position outside the rally venue.”
“U.S. Secret Service personnel neutralized the shooter, who is now deceased.”
The Secret Service said that they responded “with protective measures and former President Trump is safe.”
One spectator also was killed, and two were critically injured, the Secret Service said.
PREVIOUSLY: A shooter is dead and one attendee was killed at Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania, in which the former president appeared to have been injured on the side of his head before being whisked away by Secret Service agents, the Associated Press reported.
The chaotic scene occurred live on C-SPAN and other networks who carried Trump’s rally in Butler, PA, a prelude to the Republican National Convention next week.
The Trump campaign said that the former president was “fine,” but was being checked out at a local medical facility.
Some networks had video of a body, believed to be the shooter, being carried out of the event.
One witness told the BBC that he saw a man “bear crawling up the roof” of a building. He said that he attempted to alert police, pointing at him, “for at least three or four minutes.” “We were telling the police. We were pointing at him for the Secret Service who were looking at us from the top of the barn.” He said the gunman was behind where the Secret Service could see, though. He said that after the gunman fired shots, the Secret Service killed him. “He was dead, and that was it, and it was over,” he said.
More statements are coming in from political figures.
Former President George W. Bush said, “Laura and I are grateful that President Trump is safe following the cowardly attack on his life. And we commend the men and women of the Secret Service for their speedy response.”
Former President Barack Obama said, “There is absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy. Although we don’t yet know exactly what happened, we should all be relieved that former President Trump wasn’t seriously hurt, and use this moment to recommit ourselves to civility and respect in our politics. Michelle and I are wishing him a quick recovery.”
Former President Bill Clinton said, “Violence has no place in America, especially in our political process. Hillary and I are thankful that President Trump is safe, heartbroken for all those affected by the attack at today’s rally in Pennsylvania, and grateful for the swift action of the U.S. Secret Service.”
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg said, “In this horrible moment, encouraged to hear President Trump’s team indicate the former president is doing well. An entire nation must speak with one voice today to completely and unequivocally reject all political violence.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said, “As one whose family has been the victim of political violence, I know firsthand that political violence of any kind has no place in our society. I think God that former President Trump is safe. As we learn more details about this horrifying incident, let us pray that all those in attendance at the former president’s rally today are unharmed.” Pelosi’s husband, was seriously injured in 2022 when an intruder broke into their San Francisco home and struck him over the head with a hammer.
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, who was seriously injured in a shooting in 2017, said in a statement on X/Twitter, “For weeks Democrat leaders have been fueling ludicrous hysteria that Donald Trump winning re-election would be the end of democracy in America. Clearly we’ve seen far left lunatics act on violent rhetoric in the past. This incendiary rhetoric must stop.”
PREVIOUSLY: President Donald Trump was rushed off stage by the Secret Service at a rally on Saturday in Butler, PA, after he grabbed the side of his head, dropped to the ground and was later seen with blood near his right ear.
Popping sounds could be heard during the incident, but it was not confirmed whether they were gunshots.
A spokesman for the Secret Service said, “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 Trump campaign’s Steven Cheung said in a statement, “President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act. He is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility.”
In the video, Trump is speaking before popping sounds are heard. He appeared to grab the side of his ear or neck with his right hand, before plunging to the ground. There were then sounds of people screaming. Trump could be heard saying “let me get my shoes” as he then got up and raised his fist in the air as he was whisked away by Secret Service members. Trump appeared to have blood coming from the side of his ear.
It was unclear whether anyone in the crowd also was injured. Some in the crowd chanted “USA, USA, USA” after Trump got up and raised his fist.
There also were reports that someone later heard, “Shooter in down. Shooter is down.”
Donald Trump is rushed offstage during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Trump had been several minutes into his remarks before loud noises were heard.
The rally site was then cleared and police tape was put up around the stage.
Broadcast networks quickly broke in for special reports, adding to cable news coverage.
On NBC News, correspondent Dasha Burns said that “we heard at first what I thought might have been fireworks. I even saw a little bit of smoke. I wasn’t sure what was going on.” She said that she and her person “then realized it might be something more serious. We then got ourselves behind a barricade for safety…. Everyone ducked down.” She said that the “pop, pop, pop” sounds “felt like a long time.”
CBS News’ Scott MacFarlane also was at the rally, and said, “Let me unequivocal about something: This is a security failure of epic, historic proportions, that there was some sort of explosive noise.”
The rally was a prelude to the Republican National Convention next week.
President Joe Biden received an initial briefing on the incident, the White House said.
Political figures quickly issued statements decrying political violence. “I am horrified by what happened at the Trump rally in Pennsylvania and relieved that former President Trump is safe. Political violence has no place in our country,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.
More to come.
