Former President Donald Trump claims he was shot in the upper part of his right ear during a rally in Butler County, Pennsylvania on Saturday.
“I immediately realized something was wrong when I heard shots and felt the bullet tearing through my skin,” Trump stated on Truth Social.
Authorities are treating the incident as an assassination attempt.
“President Trump expresses gratitude to law enforcement and first responders for their swift response to this horrible act. He is safe and receiving medical attention at a local facility. More information will be provided,” the Trump campaign announced.
The FBI named the shooter as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. Crooks was fatally shot after firing into the crowd.
One individual in the crowd was killed, according to Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger. The Secret Service reported that two other attendees were in critical condition.
“My thoughts are with the families of the deceased and injured individuals at the rally. It’s devastating that such violence could occur in our nation,” Trump shared on Truth Social.
Trump was addressing the crowd when the gunshots rang out. He seemed to instinctively touch his right ear before crouching behind the podium. A commotion ensued, and the Secret Service quickly escorted Trump to safety in a motorcade.
The Secret Service disclosed that the suspected shooter fired multiple shots from an elevated position outside the venue. An AR-style rifle was found near the shooter, as reported by The Associated Press.
“The Secret Service has taken precautionary measures, and the former president is secure,” stated Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi. “An active investigation is ongoing, and more details will be released in due course.”
President Joe Biden, Trump’s expected rival in the upcoming presidential election, received a briefing on the incident and spoke to the nation on Saturday evening.
President Biden: “No place for this kind of violence in America”
“There is no room for such violence in America. It’s abhorrent. It’s abhorrent,” Biden remarked, mentioning that he tried to reach out to Trump. “We must unite as a nation. We cannot tolerate this. We cannot stand for this.”
“The rally that Trump held should have been peaceful, but the presence of political violence in America is unprecedented, unacceptable. Everyone must denounce it,” Biden added.
Biden refrained from speculating whether Trump was the intended target of the attack.
The White House confirmed that President Biden communicated with Trump, but the details of their conversation were not disclosed.
Several federal agencies have committed to conducting a thorough investigation into the events of Saturday.
“U.S. Secret Service Director Cheatle and I have briefed President Biden on today’s shooting in Pennsylvania,” stated Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas. “DHS and the Secret Service are collaborating with law enforcement to respond to and investigate the shooting. We strongly condemn this violence and commend the Secret Service for their swift response. Our top priority is ensuring the safety and security of the Presidential candidates and their campaigns.”
House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer, R-Kentucky, indicated that Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle will be summoned before Congress for questioning.
“Numerous questions arise, and the public demands answers. I have reached out to the Secret Service for a briefing and am calling on Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle to testify. The Oversight Committee will extend a formal invitation shortly,” he declared.
The shooting occurred just prior to the commencement of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
The Trump campaign declared that the convention will proceed as planned.
“President Trump anticipates joining us in Milwaukee as we move forward with our convention to officially nominate him as the 47th President of the United States,” the Trump campaign representatives stated.
The Republican National Convention is set to begin on Monday and conclude on Thursday.
