During his rally on Saturday night in Butler, Pennsylvania, former President Donald Trump was hurried offstage with blood on his face and ear following a gunshot incident.
The first set of gunfire went off, and Trump went down, apparently hurt. As security guards approached and escorted the former president away from the podium, screams from the spectators could be heard. As he was escorted offstage and taken to his feet, Trump was seen pumping his fist and seemed to be shouting out to the audience.
Trump is "safe," according to a statement from the Secret Service.
Law enforcement officers are looking into the possibility of an assassination attempt in relation to the incident.
A Secret Service source claims that in addition to the gunman, a rally participant also perished at the hands of the Secret Service. A second observer is reportedly in critical condition, according to Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger.
"An incident happened at a Trump event in Pennsylvania on July 13 in the evening. The former president is safe because the Secret Service has precautionary measures in place. According to Secret Service chief spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi, "this is currently an active investigation by the Secret Service, and more information will be released when available."
The gunman at the Trump event was reportedly outside the arena, according to three law enforcement officials. According to two of those people, the gunman was outside the facility on a roof. This person has been described as a sniper by several law enforcement authorities, while more information is still unclear.
Butler County District Attorney Goldinger stated that his top investigator had informed him that the gunman was on a building next to the property, but he had no more information on the individual.
"A rifle would have been necessary," he stated. "Several hundred yards was it."
The White House announced that President Joe Biden was briefed about the incident in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. The group briefing the president includes Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, and Homeland Security advisor Liz Sherwood-Randall.
This type of brutality has no place in America. At Rehoboth Beach, Biden declared, "It's sick."
"President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act," a statement from Trump spokesman Steven Cheung read. He is being examined at a nearby medical institution and is doing great. There will be more information to come.
In the moments before the shooting, a top Trump aide in Milwaukee informed CNN that further details on the former president's health were being gathered. Trump's motions as he was escorted off the platform and into his SUV gave the adviser hope.
"We hope he's alright," the advisor stated.
Legislators from both parties swiftly intervened to voice their shock at the event and denounce political violence in general.
"Law enforcement has briefed me, and I'm keeping an eye on the developments." House Speaker Mike Johnson issued a statement saying, "This horrible act of political violence at a peaceful campaign rally has no place in this country and should be unanimously and forcefully condemned."
"I am pleased that former President Trump is safe and appalled by what transpired at the Trump event in Pennsylvania. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer declared, "Political violence has no place in our country."
Former Trump campaign advisor David Urban told CNN's Wolf Blitzer that he had chatted with Pennsylvania Republican Senate contender Dave McCormick, who was seated in the rally's first row. Following Trump's instruction to McCormick to "come up here onstage," according to Urban, he heard a few "pops" that resembled "firecrackers."
At that time, McCormick collapsed to the ground. When he stood up, he told Urban that Secret Service personnel were "around everybody and they were scattering."
McCormick stated on X that he and his spouse, Dina Powell, a former official in the Trump administration, "are praying for President Trump and all who were injured today in Butler, Pennsylvania."