New Delhi: Former US President and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump was injured on Saturday after a shooting at his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Blood was seen on his face as security escorted him off the stage. According to a statement from Trump’s spokesman, he is “fine” and is being “checked out” at a local medical facility.
In a post on Trump’s Truth Social account, he revealed, “I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear. Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening.”
US President Joe Biden condemned the attack, calling it a “sick” act of violence. “There’s no place in America for this kind of violence,” Biden stated, adding that he has been thoroughly briefed on the incident and plans to speak with Trump. “Everybody must condemn it.”
The incident resulted in the deaths of one shooter and one attendee. The US Secret Service, FBI, and other agencies are investigating the incident as an attempted assassination.
A video of the event showed multiple gunshots ringing out as Trump spoke about President Joe Biden and his administration. Secret Service agents quickly surrounded Trump and rushed him off stage to a waiting vehicle. Trump was seen pumping his fist in the air as the crowd cheered, and he was escorted out by the Secret Service. Armed police soon took control of the podium.
The US Secret Service confirmed that Trump is safe and that protective measures have been implemented. Police began clearing the fairgrounds shortly after Trump left, treating the area as a crime scene.
“During former President Trump’s campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on the evening of July 13 at approximately 6:15 pm, a suspected shooter fired multiple shots toward the stage from an elevated position outside the rally venue. US Secret Service personnel neutralized the shooter, who is now deceased. The Secret Service quickly responded with protective measures, and the former president is safe and being evaluated,” said Secret Service Chief of Communications, Anthony Guglielmi.