Gunman killed, spectator dead as bullets fly at Trump rally, leaving former president with huge gash above his ear and blood across his face
The gunman who shot Donald Trump at least eight times, wounding him, is dead. A protester was also killed in Saturday’s shocking carnage.
Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger confirmed the two deaths after the atrocity at a Trump rally at Butler Farm Show Grounds in Butler, Pennsylvania.
No information has yet been released about the identity of the shooter or the bystander who also died.
In the moments after the shooting, voices could be heard shouting, “The shooter is down!” Trump ducked to the ground as protesters screamed in fear.
The 45th president was seen bending over with blood streaming from his ear. Seconds later, the blood-covered lawmaker raised his fist to indicate he was OK as he was surrounded by Secret Service agents before being led away.
Donald Trump clenches his fist moments after he was shot during a re-election rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday night
This is the moment Trump was injured – reportedly by a piece of flying teleprompter that was shattered by the gunfire
A wider shot shows Trump surrounded by Secret Service agents on stage as stunned supporters look on. Security officials can be heard shouting “the shooter is down” in the moments after gunfire erupted
Team Trump says the former president is “fine” and will provide more updates on his condition soon. It has since been reported that Trump was injured by a piece of his teleprompter that was shattered by the gunfire.
A medical helicopter was seen taking off from the scene of the rally 19 minutes after the shooting, believed to be headed to a hospital in nearby Pittsburgh. The New York Times reported.
Donald Trump Jr. has since said his father is “in good spirits” and shared a tweet of his bloodied father with his fist in the air, writing: “He will never stop fighting to save America.”
Dramatic footage seen around the world showed popping sounds as the 2024 presidential candidate took to the stage to address a large crowd of supporters.
Trump was seen ducking as shouts rang out and fans in MAGA shirts stood behind him and threw themselves to the ground.
It is unclear where the shooter fired the shots, or what kind of weapon was used. Secret Service agents are facing urgent questions about how they could have put a former president — currently the favorite to become the 47th president — in mortal danger.
Donald Trump is pictured with blood on his face moments after shots were fired at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday
The location of the Trump rally at the Butler County Show Grounds is pictured before Trump took the stage. The president spoke onstage just below a raised American flag with a crowd behind him.
President Biden says he is “grateful to hear that (Trump) is safe and doing well” and that he is “praying” for the Trumps as he awaits more information.
Biden added: “There is no place for this kind of violence in America. We must unite as one nation to condemn it.”
The president has since appeared on live television to further condemn the shooting, calling it “sickening.”
Vice President Kamala Harris is briefed on the shooting.
Former President Barack Obama also condemned the shooting, saying: “There is absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy.
“While we do not yet know exactly what happened, we should all be relieved that former President Trump was not seriously injured, and use this moment to recommit ourselves to civility and respect in our politics. Michelle and I wish him a speedy recovery.”
