Former President Donald Trump was hurried off stage covered in blood after a string of gunshots erupted at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania.
The incident occurred suddenly, with Trump reaching for his right ear as the gunfire began. He then looked down at his hand, appearing to see blood, and fell to his knees behind the platform. Secret Service agents swiftly surrounded and covered him. After being on the ground for about a minute, Trump was heard saying, "Wait, wait," before agents guided him into a waiting vehicle.
Despite the chaos, Trump managed a defiant wave to the audience as he was escorted off stage. The agents formed a protective circle around the Republican candidate and forcefully led him to safety.
Donald Trump has been declared safe by the Secret Service and his campaign following a gunfire incident at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, approximately 30 miles (50 km) north of Pittsburgh.
Law enforcement recovered an AR-style rifle at the scene of the shooting at Donald Trump's rally, an AP source says.
"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 spokesman Steven Cheung in a statement.
US media reported that the suspected shooter and one bystander were confirmed dead. "Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger said two people are dead, including an apparent shooter," reported The Washington Post. A second bystander may also have been hit.
The incident occurred shortly after Trump appeared at his final campaign event before next week's Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.
An eyewitness said that he was trying to warn the police for 2-3 minutes that a man with a rifle was crawling up a roof, but was ignored.
The rally descended into chaos with screams and shouting as gunfire erupted. "Let me get my shoes," Trump was heard saying on the microphone as security agents helped him to his feet. Agents quickly bundled the 78-year-old former president into an SUV, and he raised his fist to the crowd as he was driven away.
"This is an active crime scene," Secret Service officers told reporters, ordering them to leave the area.
"The entire Department of Defense condemns this violence, which has absolutely no place in our democracy. This is not the way that we resolve our differences in America—and it must never be. I’m relieved that reports indicate former President Trump is safe, and I am praying for him and his family and everyone affected by this appalling incident," posted Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III on X.
John Yeykal from Franklin, Pennsylvania, attending his first Trump rally, said, "We saw a lot of people go down, looking confused. I heard the shots."
The Secretary of Homeland Security and the director of the Secret Service have briefed President Biden on the incident, according to the White House.
US lawmakers expressed shock and concern. Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer stated, "Horrified by what happened at the Trump rally in Pennsylvania and relieved that former President Trump is safe. Political violence has no place in our country."
Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell added, "Tonight, all Americans are grateful that President Trump appears to be fine after a despicable attack on a peaceful rally. Violence has no place in our politics."
Billionaire Elon Musk reacted by quickly endorsing Trump.
"I fully endorse President Trump and hope for his rapid recovery," Musk wrote on X, which he owns along with car manufacturer Tesla, as he shared a video of Trump pumping his fist while being escorted away.
Chairs had been thrown over, and the stage was surrounded by yellow police tape in an abandoned venue. On the camera stream, law enforcement agents strolled about while a chopper circled overhead. On a roof close to the platform where Trump was standing, there were also armed police officers visible.
A campaign spokesman for Biden announced on Saturday that the campaign was attempting to cease any further outbound communication and pause its television advertisements.
The party that had momentarily wavered in support after Trump's supporters attacked the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, in an effort to overturn his 2020 election defeat, has largely united around him. Trump served as president from 2017 to 2021. He easily defeated his rivals for the Republican nomination early in the campaign.
(with inputs from AFP and other agencies)
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