The former U.S. president left the scene with injuries, while the 20-year-old shooter and an attendee were killed during the incident.
Former U.S. president and current presidential candidate Donald Trump has survived an assassination attempt. The incident occurred during a Trump rally at Butler, Pennsylvania. An eyewitness saw a man with a rifle crawling on a nearby roof before the crowd heard gunshots, according to a live reporting from the BBC. Trump had heard a popping sound while presenting a chart on border crossing numbers, reports AP News. Members of the Secret Service had shot the assassin, but not before the perpetrator managed to kill one attendee and injure two others. Secret Service members also escorted Trump from the stage, taking him to a medical facility for examination.
Later on, the former president went on the social media site Truth, describing what had happened from his side and showing gratitude to his rescuers:
“I want to thank The United States Secret Service, and all of Law Enforcement, for their rapid response on the shooting that just took place in Butler, Pennsylvania. Most importantly, 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,” he writes. “It is incredible that such an act can take place in our Country. […] I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear. 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. GOD BLESS AMERICA!”
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Identity and Motive of the Shooter
As for the identity of the suspect, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is still probing the incident, stating that they are “waiting for DNA results to come in before naming him,” adds the BBC. According to Reuters, the shooter was a 20-year-old man and resident of Pennsylvania—his motives are still unclear and under investigation.
Trump’s supporters and Republican allies are showing their support, and believe the shooting was political in nature. “For weeks Democrat leaders have been fueling ludicrous hysteria that Donald Trump winning re-election would be the end of democracy in America,” shares U.S. Representative Steve Scalise, the No. 2 House Republican, with Reuters. “Clearly we’ve seen far left lunatics act on violent rhetoric in the past. This incendiary rhetoric must stop.”
Current U.S. President Joe Biden took to social media to express his disapproval of the entire incident. “I’m grateful to hear that he’s safe and doing well. I’m praying for him and his family and for all those who were at the rally, as we await further information,” he writes on X. “Jill [Biden] 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.”
Banner photo via Instagram @realdonaldtrump.
