Shooter is dead; incident being investigated as an assassination attempt
Former President Donald Trump was rushed off the stage at a campaign rally in Butler, Pa., north of Pittsburgh, Saturday after shots rang out.
On video, it appeared Trump had blood on his ear, but officials say he is okay. Area law enforcement and the Secret Service say the incident is being investigated as an assassination attempt.
On his Truth Social account, Trump said he was shot in the ear.
"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."
A split second after the first shots are heard, Trump briefly grabbed his right ear, then crouched down on his own power as a few more popping sounds ring out. Secret Service agents covered him as armed guards secured the stage.
He got up under his own power, with blood clear on his ear and right cheek. He clenched his fist to the crowd and mouthed, "Fight," before being led off the stage.
The video is available here: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/secret-service-rushes-trump-stage-shots-fired-pennsylvania-rally-rcna161735
According to national media members on the scene, Trump was just a few minutes into his rally speech when the incident happened. He was rushed into his motorcade and taken from the scene. Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung said, "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."
A local district attorney in the area of the Butler event confirmed the shooter and one rally attendee were killed and two others were injured. There is no information yet about the shooter, other than they were outside the perimeter of the outdoor rally venue, on the rooftop of an adjacent building, therefore not subject to the security measures of the venue.
There was a buzz around the Butler event, as Trump was expected to announce, or at least hint at, his 2024 presidential running mate.
Response from Republican lawmakers was swift.
"This was clearly an assassination attempt on President Trump. I’m glad he seems okay, and I am praying for him and all who were at the rally," Sen. Rick Scott's Twitter feed read shortly after the incident. "There is ZERO tolerance for violence. I hope this monster is already caught and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."
U.S. Congressman Cory Mills, via his Twitter: "First they tried to silence him. Then they tried to imprison him. Now they try to kill him. May God protect President Trump and keep him and his family in your prayers."
"Praying for President Trump and all those attending the rally in Pennsylvania today," Sen. Marco Rubio's Twitter feed read.
Minutes after issuing a statement regarding the shooting, President Joe Biden addressed the public from Rehoboth Beach, Del., where he's spending the weekend.
"I have tried to get ahold of Donald through his doctors, apparently he's doing well," Biden said. "There's no place in this country for this kind of violence; it's sick. It's one of the reasons we have to work to unite this country. We can't allow for this to happen, or condone this. I want to thank the Secret Service and the state agencies. The idea that there's political violence like this is unheard of and inappropriate."
