A gunman and suspected assassin narrowly missed seriously injuring or killing former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Butler, PA, on Saturday evening.
One rally attendee standing behind Trump on the dais was killed. Two others were critically injured in the incident.
It appears Trump was grazed on the right ear as he was seen being rushed from the stage by Secret Service agents, bleeding from that area.
As Secret Service agents rushed him off stage, Trump pumped his fist numerous times to the crowd, indicating he was not seriously injured.
In a Truth Social post, Trump said he heard a whizzing by his ear and that he was bleeding pretty badly after being grazed.
Trump writes:
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. 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!
The suspected gunman, a sniper who was situated on a rooftop outside the rally venue, was killed by counter-sniper fire, according to the Secret Service.
In a statement from Communications Chief Anthony Guglielmi, the Secret Service says:
“During former President Trump’s campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on the evening of July 13th at approximately 6:15 p.m., a suspected shooter fired multiple shots toward the stage from an elevated position outside of the rally venue. US Secret Service personnel neutralized the shooter, who is now deceased. US Secret Service quickly responded with protective measures and the former president is safe and being evaluated. One spectator was killed, two spectators were critically injured. The incident is currently under investigation and the Secret Service has formally notified the Federal Bureau of Investigation.”
US Secret Service statement following assassination attempt on President Donald Trump
An investigation into the assassination attempt on Trump is ongoing among federal authorities.
Pennsylvania State Police are investigating the other deaths and injures.
Trump was released from a Pittsburgh area hospital on Saturday night.
Pennsylvania Reactions to Assassination Attempt on Donald Trump
Sympathies and well wishes for President Trump came in from all sides of the political arena.
US Rep. Dan Meuser (PA-9), who represents Schuylkill County in Congress and was in attendance at the Butler rally, wrote on X on Saturday night, “Please join me in praying for President Trump and all at the Butler Rally. God bless the USA.”
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro writes on X: “Lori and I are praying for President Trump, the Secret Service officers who protected him, those attending the event, and all of the first responders still on the scene.
“Violence targeted at any political party or political leader is absolutely unacceptable,” the Governor writes.
Later Saturday, after Trump was released from a nearby hospital and leaving Pennsylvania, Shapiro offered an update and expressed sympathy for the rally attendee was who killed and the two others who were critically injured.
In a lengthy X post, he wrote,
“Under the protection of US Secret Service and with the assistance of the Pennsylvania State Police, former President Trump has now left the Butler area. Lori and I are thankful that his team reports that he is fine and we continue to wish him a full and speedy recovery.”
“Under the protection of US Secret Service and with the assistance of the Pennsylvania State Police, former President Trump has now left the Butler area. Lori and I are thankful that his team reports that he is fine and we continue to wish him a full and speedy recovery.
“We mourn the loss of life and pray for the two victims who are being treated at this time.
“I am grateful for all law enforcement who responded, protected the former president, and worked to bring the situation under control.
“Federal law enforcement officials will continue to lead on the investigation into the shooting of former President Trump. Pennsylvania State Police will lead the investigation into the shooting of the other victims.”
US Sen. Bob Casey wrote on X shortly after the assassination attempt on Trump, “Political violence is never acceptable and I am hoping former president Trump & all attendees are safe.”