BUTLER, Pa. — Former President Donald Trump was rushed off stage at his Pennsylvania rally on Saturday with blood on his face and right ear after shots were fired in what law enforcement officials are calling an assassination attempt just minutes into his remarks.
Trump is being treated by medical personnel and is expected to survive, according to law enforcement officials.
The shooter was shot and killed by the Secret Service, while one attendee is dead, and a second is in serious condition, according to the Butler County district attorney.
According to three senior U.S. officials, the shots were fired from outside the event and out of range of the U.S. Secret Service security perimeter.
Six minutes into his remarks, Trump reached for the side of his face as popping sounds rang out. Secret Service quickly huddled around the former president for several minutes. Trump raised a fist into the air as blood was streaming down his face before he was quickly escorted into a vehicle, walking off the stage with agents on all sides.
A Secret Service spokesperson said in a statement posted to X that “the former President is safe.”
“This is now an active Secret Service investigation and further information will be released when available,” agency spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi posted.
Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung said that the former president “thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act.”
Law enforcement officials say the shooter fired eight rounds from an AR-style rifle. In a statement posted to Truth Social, Trump said he was shot in the ear and “much bleeding took place”.
“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,” he said.
Trump thanked the Secret Service and law enforcement for their efforts.
President Joe Biden condemned the violence in a written statement and said he is happy the former president was safe.
“Jill and I are grateful to the Secret Service for getting him to safety. There’s no place for this kind of violence in America. We must unite as one nation to condemn it,” he said.
