Former President Donald Trump says he was shot in the upper part of his right ear on Saturday during a rally in Butler County, Pennsylvania.
“I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin,” Trump said in a statement on Truth Social.
Law enforcement is investigating the incident as an assassination attempt.
“President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act. He is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility. More details will follow,” the Trump campaign said in a statement.
The FBI identified the shooter early Sunday as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. He was killed shortly after firing into the crowd.
One person in the crowd was killed, Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger said. The Secret Service added that two other attendees were in critical condition.
“I want to extend my condolences to the family of the person at the Rally who was killed, and also to the family of another person that was badly injured. It is incredible that such an act can take place in our Country,” Trump stated on Truth Social.
Trump was speaking to a crowd for a brief time before the gunshots were heard. The former president appeared to grab the right side of his head or his right ear before ducking below the lectern as he was on stage. People in the crowd started to scream before the Secret Service quickly took Trump away to a motorcade and sped away.
The Secret Service said that the suspected shooter fired multiple shots toward the stage from an “elevated position outside of the rally venue.” An AR-style rifle was found near the shooter, The Associated Press reported.
“The Secret Service has implemented protective measures and the former president is safe,” said Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi. “This is now an active Secret Service investigation and further information will be released when available.”
Biden addresses violence at rally
President Joe Biden, Trump’s likely opponent in this November’s presidential election, was briefed on the situation and addressed the country Saturday night.
President Biden: “No place for this kind of violence in America”
“There is no place in America for this kind of violence. It’s sick. It’s sick,” Biden said, adding he attempted to directly contact Trump. “We must unite this country. We cannot allow this to be happening. We cannot be like this. We cannot condone this.”
“The Trump rally was a rally, he should have been able to conduct peacefully, but the idea, the idea that there is political violence or violence in America like this is unheard of, it is not appropriate. Everybody must condemn it,” Biden added.
Biden would not speculate whether Trump was the target of an assassination attempt.
The White House said late Saturday that President Biden spoke with Trump, but the details of that conversation were not made public.
Federal response
Numerous federal agencies have pledged to conduct an investigation and to learn more about Saturday’s incident.
“U.S. Secret Service Director Cheatle and I have briefed President Biden on today’s shooting in Pennsylvania,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas. “DHS and the Secret Service are working with law enforcement partners to respond to and investigate the shooting. We condemn this violence in the strongest possible terms and commend the Secret Service for their swift action today. We are engaged with President Biden, former President Trump, and their campaigns, and are taking every possible measure to ensure their safety and security. Maintaining the security of the Presidential candidates and their campaign events is one of our Department’s most vital priorities.”
House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer, R-Kentucky, suggested that Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle will be questioned by Congress.
“There are many questions and Americans demand answers. I have already contacted the Secret Service for a briefing and am also calling on Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle to appear for a hearing. The Oversight Committee will send a formal invitation soon,” he said.
Republican National Convention
The shooting took place just days before the start of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
The Trump campaign said the convention will go on as scheduled.
“President Trump looks forward to joining you all in Milwaukee as we proceed with our convention to nominate him to serve as the 47th President of the United States,” said spokespeople for the Trump campaign.
The Republican National Convention is scheduled to begin on Monday and run through Thursday.
