
By Ryan Meilstrup
Former President Donald Trump was whisked off the stage by Secret Service on Saturday at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, after multiple rounds of gunfire, one of which struck Trump in the ear.
The former president gestured to the crowd with a fist before being escorted off the stage. Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger said the suspected gunman was dead and at least one rally attendee was killed, according to The Associated Press.
” An incident occurred the evening of July 13 at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania. The Secret Service has implemented protective measures and the former President is safe. This is now an active Secret Service investigation and further information will be released when available,” Secret Service Chief of Communications Anthony Guglielmi said in a statement on Saturday.
The Trump campaign responded shortly after the shooting by saying the former president is “fine.” “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 campaign said in a statement.
Democratic Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro reacted to the shooting of the former president in his home state on Saturday. “Violence targeted at any political party or political leader is absolutely unacceptable. It has no place in Pennsylvania or the United States,” Shapiro said in an X Post.
Former President Donald Trump described how he was shot in a statement released Saturday evening after shots were fired at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
An unidentified gunman fired multiple shots as Trump spoke at the rally, before the suspect was killed. Trump expressed gratitude to the Secret Service and other law enforcement in a post on Truth Social. (RELATED: Tucker Asks Trump If He Fears He Will Be Killed)
“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,” Trump said. “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. It is incredible that such an act can take place in our Country.”
“Nothing is known at this time about the shooter, who is now dead. I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear,” Trump continued. “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!”
The Secret Service put out a statement about the attack Saturday evening.
“An incident occurred the evening of July 13 at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania. The Secret Service has implemented protective measures and the former President is safe. This is now an active Secret Service investigation and further information will be released when available,” Secret Service Chief of Communications Anthony Guglielmi said in a statement on Saturday.