Donald Trump raised a fist to the crowd after shooting at his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania
Former US President Donald Trump was rushed off stage after a series of gunshots were fired at his campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania today. As gunshots were heard, he grimaced and clutched a hand to his right ear, where blood was clearly visible across his cheek and mouth.
The suspected shooter was confirmed dead, while a spectator was killed, and two others “critically injured”.
Video: Moment Trump Was Attacked At Rally
In his first reaction to a shooting at his rally, the 78-year-old Republican presidential candidate said in a statement he “was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear”. His campaign said he was “fine”.
Here are live updates on the shooting at Donald Trump’s rally:
Law enforcement officials have reportedly recovered “an AR-style rifle” at the scene of attack on Donald Trump.
Reacting to the news, Elon Musk said, “Extreme incompetence or it was deliberate. Either way, the SS (Secret Service) leadership must resign.”
Extreme incompetence or it was deliberate. Either way, the SS leadership must resign. https://t.co/0vYGrj6yuH
– Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 14, 2024
Donald Trump’s potential running mate JD Vance has said the “rhetoric” of US President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign had “led directly” to what he called an “attempted assassination” of the Republican candidate.
“Today is not just some isolated incident,” he wrote on X.
“The central premise of the Biden campaign is that President Donald Trump is an authoritarian fascist who must be stopped at all costs. That rhetoric led directly to President Trump’s attempted assassination,” he added.
Today is not just some isolated incident.
The central premise of the Biden campaign is that President Donald Trump is an authoritarian fascist who must be stopped at all costs.
That rhetoric led directly to President Trump’s attempted assassination.
– J.D. Vance (@JDVance1) July 14, 2024
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said he was “appalled by the shocking scenes” of a shooting targeting Donald Trump at an election rally.
“Political violence in any form has no place in our societies and my thoughts are with all the victims of this attack,” the newly-elected premier posted on X.
I am appalled by the shocking scenes at President Trump’s rally and we send him and his family our best wishes.
Political violence in any form has no place in our societies and my thoughts are with all the victims of this attack.
– Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) July 14, 2024
The alleged shooter who injured US presidential candidate Donald Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania was outside the event grounds, a local prosecutor said.
“I don’t know how he would have gotten to the location where he was, but he was outside the grounds. And I think that’s something that we’re going to have to figure out how he got there,” Butler County district attorney Richard Goldinger was quoted as saying by the news agency AFP.
The Secret Service said that multiple shots came from ‘elevated position’ outside Trump rally venue in Butler.
“During former President Trump’s campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on the evening of July 13 at around 6:15 p.m., a suspected shooter fired multiple shots toward the stage from an elevated position outside of the rally venue,” it said in an official statement.
“US Secret Service personnel neutralised the shooter, who is now deceased. The US Secret Service quickly responded with protective measures and the former President is safe and being evaluated. One spectator was killed, and two spectators were critically injured. The incident is currently under investigation and the Secret Service has formally notified the Federal Bureau of Investigation,” the statement read further.
The Secret Service said one spectator has been killed, while two others “critically injured” in the Trump rally shooting.
Trump supporters were seen laying in the stands after guns were fired at the Republican at a campaign event at Butler Farm Show in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Photo: AFP
In his first reaction to shooting at his rally, Donald Trump said he”was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of his 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. 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,” he said in a statement.
“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!,” he added.
Tech billionaire Elon Musk has said that he “fully” endorses Trump after the rally violence.
“I fully endorse President Trump and hope for his rapid recovery,” Musk wrote on X, as he shared a video of Trump pumping his fist while being escorted away by Secret Service agents.
I fully endorse President Trump and hope for his rapid recovery pic.twitter.com/ZdxkF63EqF
– Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 13, 2024
A picture shows Secret Service agents surrounding Donald Trump onstage after shooting at his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Photo: AFP
Former US president George W Bush also condemned the “cowardly” attack.
“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,” he said in a statement.
In a video that captures the shooting at Donald Trump’s Pennsylvania rally, the former US President can be seen delivering his speech amongst a big crowd of his supporters when several gunshots are heard.
TRUMP WAS JUST SHOT ON LIVE TV
Please stop what you’re doing and pray pic.twitter.com/jlYtCeRe3O
– End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) July 13, 2024
The crowd behind him, visibly confused and scared, also ducks to dodge any bullet.
Trump, whose right ear can be seen bleeding, raises his fist in the air while being evacuated.
Former US President Barack Obama also reacted to the apparent shooting at his successor Donald Trump’s rally and said there was “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,” he posted on X.
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….
– Barack Obama (@BarackObama) July 13, 2024
US President Joe Biden said he was “grateful to hear” that his election rival Donald Trump was safe in a shooting incident at a 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 in a statement shortly after the incident.
“Jill 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.”
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.
Jill and I are grateful to the Secret…
– President Biden (@POTUS) July 13, 2024
The suspected shooter has been confirmed dead, along with one bystander, US media reported.
A second bystander may also have been hit.
The shooting took place shortly after Donald Trump took the stage at his final campaign rally before the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee next week.
Donald Trump’s campaign said he was “fine” and being checked at a medical facility.
“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. More details will follow,” said spokesperson Steven Cheung in a statement.
“The former president is safe,” the Secret Service said in a post on X.
Former US President Donald Trump was rushed off stage after a series of gunshots were fired at his campaign rally in Pennsylvania today.
As gunshots were heard, he clutched a hand to his right ear, where blood was clearly visible across his cheek and mouth.
