Trump ‘safe’ after apparent assassination attempt; official says suspect, at least 1 attendee dead
Donald Trump appeared to be the target of an assassination attempt as he spoke during a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday, law enforcement officials said.
The former president, his ear covered in blood from what he said was a gunshot, was quickly pulled away by U.S. Secret Service agents and his campaign said he was “fine.”
A local prosecutor said the suspected gunman and at least one attendee are dead. The Secret Service said two spectators were critically injured.
Posting on his Truth Social media site about two and a half hours after the shooting, Trump said a bullet “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,” he said in the post. “Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening.”
An attendee has been killed after gunfire erupted at a Donald Trump campaign rally in Pennsylvania, the Butler County district attorney told The Associated Press on Saturday, adding that the shooter was also dead.
The attack, by a shooter who law enforcement officials say was then killed by the Secret Service, 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 election and days before Trump is to be officially named the Republican nominee at his party’s convention in Milwaukee.
“President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act,” spokesperson Steven Cheung said in a statement. “He is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility. More details will follow.”
The Secret Service said in a statement that “the former President is safe.”
Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., said after 8 p.m. that he spoke to his father on the phone and that “he is in great spirits.”
“There’s no place in America for this type of violence,” President Joe Biden, who is running against Trump as the presumptive Democratic nominee, said in remarks. “It’s sick. It’s sick.”
Suspect killed
Two officials spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity to discuss the ongoing investigation. They said the shooter was not an attendee at the rally and was killed by U.S. Secret Service agents.
The officials said the shooter was engaged by members of the Secret Service counter-assault 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 centre of protection.
It’s still not clear yet whether Trump was struck by gunfire or was injured as he was pulled to the ground by agents.
Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger said in a phone interview that the suspected gunman was dead and at least one rally attendee was killed.
Chaotic scenes
Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee, was showing off a chart of border crossing numbers during his last rally before the Republican National Convention opens on Monday when the shots began just after 6:10 p.m. ET.
It took two minutes from the moment of the first shot for Trump to be placed in a waiting SUV.
As Trump was talking, a popping sound was heard, and the former president put his right hand up to his right ear, as people in the stands behind him appeared to be shocked.
As the first pop rang out, Trump said, “Oh,” and grabbed his ear as two more pops could be heard, and he crouched down. More shots are heard then.
Someone could be heard saying near the microphone at Trump’s lectern, “Get down, get down, get down, get down!” as agents tackled the former president.
They piled atop him to shield him with their bodies, as is their training protocol, as other agents took up positions on the stage to search for the threat.
Screams were heard in the crowd of several thousand people.
Trump got to his feet moments later and could be seen reaching with his right hand toward his face. There appeared to be blood on his face.
He then pumped his fist in the air and appeared to mouth the word “Fight” twice to his crowd of supporters, prompting loud cheers and then chants of “USA. USA. USA.”
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Face Sunscreen & BUNDLE, Broad Spectrum UVA-UVB Sun Protection for all Skin Types, Lightweight, Non-Greasy Texture, Non-Comedogenic, Water Resistant, Fragrance Free
$28.00 (as of July 25, 2024 14:14 GMT -05:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
TheraBreath Fresh Breath Oral Rinse - Icy Mint | Fights Bad Breath | Certified Vegan, Gluten-Free, & Kosher | 473ml
$11.98 (as of July 25, 2024 14:14 GMT -05:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Amazon Basics Neoprene Hexagon Workout Dumbbell Hand Weight
$36.49 (as of July 25, 2024 14:14 GMT -05:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Apple iPhone 11, 64GB, Black - Fully Unlocked (Renewed)
$339.90 (as of July 25, 2024 14:14 GMT -05:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)