BUTLER, Pennsylvania — Donald Trump’s campaign said in a statement that the former president was “fine” after a shooting at his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. A local prosecutor said the alleged shooter and at least one participant are dead.
“President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act,” spokesman Steven Cheung said in a statement. “He is fine and is being examined at a local medical center. More details to come.”
The Secret Service said in a statement that “the former president is safe.”
Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger said in a telephone interview that the alleged shooter was dead and that at least one rally attendee was killed.
Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee, was displaying a chart of border crossing numbers during his final rally before the opening of the Republican National Convention on Monday when booms began to ring out in the crowd.
When the first pop sounded, Trump said, “Oh,” and grabbed his ear as two more pops could be heard and he crouched down.
Someone can be heard saying near the microphone at Trump’s lectern: “Get down, get down, get down, get down!” while agents approached the former president.
Later, Trump could be seen extending his right hand toward his face. There appeared to be blood on his face.
He quickly ducked behind the step as agents from his protection team rushed the stage and screams were heard in the crowd of several thousand people. The beat continued as agents tended to him on stage.
The crowd cheered as he stood up and raised his fist.
His entourage has since left the scene. His condition was not immediately known.
Police began clearing the fairgrounds shortly after Trump left the stage, in what local authorities described as a crime scene.
President Joe Biden was briefed on the incident, the White House said. He received an updated briefing from Kimberly Cheatle, director of the United States Secretaries Service, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and White House Homeland Security Advisor Liz Sherwood-Randall.
Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., posted a photo on X of Trump, with his fist raised and his face bloodied in front of an American flag, with the words: “He will never stop fighting to save America.” .
North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, the three men on Trump’s list for vice president, quickly sent out statements expressing concern for the former president, with Rubio sharing a image taken as Trump was escorted off the stage with his fist in the air and a stain of blood on his face along with the words “God protected President Trump.”
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, said in a statement on X that he was briefed on the situation and that Pennsylvania State Police were present at the rally site.
“Violence directed at any political party or political leader is absolutely unacceptable. It has no place in Pennsylvania or the United States,” he said.
This story originally appeared on Time.com read the full story
