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 former president had just begun to fire up the crowd when as many as five shots were heard, and he went down, surrounded by Secret Service agents.
As they led him away, with what appeared to be blood on his cheek and his right ear, he raised his arms defiantly, Fox news reported.
Trump was heard telling his security team, “let me get my shoes,” as they brought him to his feet and hustled him off-stage.
Former president at hospital
Donald Trump Jr. confirmed to Fox News Digital that his father is in “great spirits” as he remains under observation at an area hospital, saying that the presumptive Republican nominee is “never stop fighting to save America.”, according to Fox News.
“I just spoke to my father on the phone, and he is in great spirits,” Trump Jr. said. “He will never stop fighting to save America, no matter what the radical left throws at him.”
In a Truth Social post, Trump said that he was shot with a bullet that “pierced the upper part of my right ear.”
“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,” he said.
“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.”
In a statement, the Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi said that they have “implemented protective measures.”
“An incident occurred the evening of July 13 at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania,” Guglielmi said. “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.”
In a statement, Trump’s communication director, Steven Cheung, said that the former president “is fine.”
“President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act,” Cheung said. “He is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility.”
In a statement, President Biden said that he has been briefed on the incident and is “praying for him and his family.”
“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,” Biden said.
