
During a campaign rally on Saturday, a shooter opened fire, injuring one person and cutting the ear of former president Donald Trump in the process.
The gunman is no longer alive. He seemed to have taken up a high stance on a rooftop outside the stadium. Two more onlookers suffered serious injuries. According to his campaign, Trump is safe.
At a press conference held at midnight, FBI Special Agent Kevin Rojek stated that law enforcement is not yet ready to identify the accused gunman. Rojek stated that a motive has not yet been determined by detectives.
About six minutes into Trump’s speech in western Pennsylvania, a shooting burst out in a terrifying and chaotic scene. After grabbing his right ear, the Republican presidential candidate went to the floor, where he was quickly surrounded by Secret Service operatives who climbed on top of each other to keep him safe.
Subsequently, the agents assisted Trump in standing up, encircled him, and hastily removed him from the stage to a waiting car. As the crowd shouted, Trump repeatedly pumped his fist in the air and waved, even though he had blood on the side of his head and his ear.
About two and a half hours later, Trump claimed that a bullet had “pierced the upper part of my right ear” in a post on Truth Social.
Trump added, “I felt the bullet ripping through the skin as soon as I heard shots and a whizzing sound, so I knew right away that something was wrong.” “A lot of bleeding occurred, and I realized what was going on at that point.”
In his remarks on the internet, Trump praised law enforcement and offered his sympathies to the families of the deceased and injured.
He wrote, “It is astounding that an act of this kind can occur in our nation.”
Three senior law enforcement officials in the United States have stated that the bullets were fired from outside the Secret Service protection barrier during the event.
There was a suspected gunman on a roof close to where Trump spoke
Before everyone ducked and law enforcement surrounded Trump, reporters heard smoke and initially believed it to be pyrotechnics.
As the action developed, the spectators let out screams.
Shortly after 11 p.m., Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro declared in a statement that Trump “has now left the Butler area.”
A medical professional present at the demonstration informed NBC News that he assisted in the removal of a man who had been shot in the head. Speaking to NBC News in a nearby parking lot, a mother and her son who were present at the demonstration reported that they saw individuals being dragged away and hurt in the mob. Additionally, in a Fox News interview conducted only hours after the shooting, Texas Representative Ronny Jackson revealed that a bullet from the rally had slightly cut his nephew’s neck.
After Trump was removed, people stayed for ten to fifteen minutes at the site before being informed that it was an active crime scene and that everyone present had to be escorted out.
“We are grateful to first responders and law police for their prompt action during this horrific incident,” stated Trump through his spokesperson Steven Cheung.
Cheung stated, “He is being examined at a nearby medical institution and is doing great.” “More specifics will come later.”
Later on Saturday night, senior aides to President Trump and representatives of the Republican National Committee issued a statement expressing their excitement for the former president’s arrival in Milwaukee for the convention to nominate him as the 47th President of the United States.
On Monday, the Republican National Convention will get underway, marking Trump’s official ascension to the position of GOP presidential nominee.
FBI is in charge of the inquiry
The shooting is being investigated by the FBI, the bureau said in a statement. At the late-night press briefing on Saturday, officials stated that agents are treating the rally location as an ongoing crime scene and are collaborating with state and local law enforcement in addition to the U.S. Secret Service.
Five senior U.S. law enforcement sources informed on the incident said that federal investigators have tentatively identified the accused shooter as a male from Pennsylvania.
At the late-Saturday press conference in Butler, FBI special agent Rojek stated that the suspect did not have identification on him at the time of the incident, therefore law enforcement is trying to confirm his identity using his DNA.
The FBI sent out bomb technicians, evidence response staff, and investigation agents in the wake of the incident. The gunman’s identity is also being investigated by intelligence analysts.
Rojek requested anyone who saw the shooting to get in touch with the FBI.
A U.S. official earlier on Saturday stated that there is no indication that the incident is connected in any way to a foreign actor.
Law enforcement has briefed House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, according to a statement he made on X. Declaring that the incident “has no place in this nation and has to be strongly and unanimously denounced,” he denounced it as a “horrifying political violence incident during a nonviolent campaign event.”
The House will carry out a “comprehensive analysis of today’s sad events,” according to a post made by Johnson later.
James Comer, the chairman of the House Oversight Committee and a Republican from Kentucky, announced on X that he was “requesting the appearance of Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle at a hearing.”
Comer asked Cheatle to willingly attend a committee hearing on July 22 in a letter.
Biden, the political community responds
Later on Saturday, President Joe Biden spoke with President Trump, a White House official said. He also had a conversation with Butler Mayor Bob Dandoy and Shapiro.
Biden hailed police officers and described the incident as “sick” in remarks made on television from Delaware.
This kind of violence has no place in America. It’s ill. It’s ill,” stated Biden. It’s among the reasons this nation has to be brought together. This cannot be permitted to continue.
“It has to be denounced by all,” Biden continued.
When a reporter asked Biden if he thought the attack on Trump was an attempt on his life, Biden said he didn’t “know enough” to comment at the time.
He stated, “I lack facts; I only have an opinion,” and that he wished to obtain all of the information beforehand.
In a statement, Biden added that he is praying for Trump. He mentioned that he was informed about the shooting.
“I’m happy to learn that he’s doing well and is secure. As we wait for more details, please know that I’m praying for him, his family, and everyone who attended the protest, according to Biden’s statement. “Jill and I are appreciative of the Secret Service’s assistance in bringing him to safety. This kind of violence has no place in America. To denounce it, we as a nation must come together.”
As per an individual acquainted with the sequence of events, Biden discovered the attack while leaving church services. The insider said that after he was properly briefed, he wanted to address the country.
According to a statement from her, Vice President Kamala Harris has also been briefed.
She expressed her relief that her spouse, Doug Emhoff, is not suffering from any significant injuries. We are offering prayers for him, his loved ones, and everyone else affected and hurt in this cruel shooting.”
“Such violence is not appropriate in our country,” she continued, calling on everyone to “condemn this abhorrent act.”
Sen. JD Vance of Ohio, Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, and Gov. Doug Burgum of North Dakota were among the officials who posted on social media shortly after the incident that they were praying for Trump.
The president’s son, Donald Trump Jr., stated on X that his father will “never stop fighting to Save America.” A picture of his father pumping his fist while covered in blood was attached to his message.
Leaders of the Democratic Party also issued comments expressing shock.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., stated on X that he was “I’m pleased that former President Trump is safe despite being appalled by what transpired at his Pennsylvania event.” “There is no place for political violence in our nation.”
The Democratic governor of Pennsylvania, Shapiro, also denounced the assault on X.
“It is completely wrong for violence to be directed towards any political party or political figure,” added Shapiro. “Neither Pennsylvania nor the United States should tolerate it.”
Shapiro went on to say that state police were on the scene assisting federal and local partners, and that he had been briefed on the situation.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an independent candidate for president, asked people to pray for Trump.
Kennedy declared, “It is time for every American who loves our country to put aside differences, give up violence, and join together in prayer for President Trump and his family.”
After being shot in 2011, former Arizona representative Gabby Giffords, a Democrat, issued a statement denouncing political violence.
“Violent political rhetoric is awful. I am aware,” she remarked. “I have the hearts of all those impacted by today’s inexcusable act of violence, including former President Trump. Political violence is never acceptable and is un-American.
Prior to the attack, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., denounced “incendiary rhetoric” that suggested a second Trump term would be dangerous for the nation. Scalise was shot and hurt in 2017 when a shooter opened fire on Republicans during a baseball practice.
“The use of such inflammatory language must discontinue because all it takes for one insane person to hear it, act on it, and believe that it is permission to kill someone is that simple,” Scalise stated in an interview with Fox News.
James Blair, the political director for both the Trump campaign and the Republican National Committee, wrote a memo to staff members stating that the Trump campaign is under a “complete communications lockdown.”
“It’s all good,” Blair wrote. “We will follow up soon with more information, but we don’t have any details to share at this time.”
Additionally, the Biden team is “halting all outgoing correspondence and attempting to rapidly remove our television advertisements,” a representative for the campaign told NBC News.