UPDATE from The Associated Press at 9 p.m. CST on July 13, 2024: BUTLER, Pa. (AP) — Donald Trump appeared to be the target of an assassination attempt as he spoke during a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday, two law enforcement officials said. The former president, his ear covered in blood from what he said was a gunshot, was quickly pulled away by Secret Service agents and his campaign said he was “fine.”
A local prosecutor said the suspected gunman and at least one attendee are dead. The Secret Service said two spectators were critically injured.
Posting on his Truth Social media site about two and a half hours after the shooting, Trump said a bullet “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,” he said in the post. “Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening.”
The attack, by a shooter who law enforcement officials say was then killed by the Secret Service, was the most serious attempt to assassinate a president or presidential candidate since Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981. It comes amid a deeply polarized political atmosphere, just four months from the presidential elections and days before Trump is to be officially named the Republican nominee at his party’s convention.
UPDATE at 8 p.m. CST on July 13, 2024: Former President Donald Trump released the following statement via Truth Social in the wake of the assassination attempt that left him and others injured with one victim and the suspected shooter dead on Saturday:
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. 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. 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 U.S. Secret Service has issued the following statement on the reported assassination attempt of Donald Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania:
During Former President Trump’s campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on the evening of July 13 at approximately 6:15 p.m., a suspected shooter fired multiple shots toward the stage from an elevated position outside of the rally venue. U.S. Secret Service personnel neutralized the shooter, who is now deceased. U.S. Secret Service quickly responded with protective measures and Former President Trump is safe. One spectator was killed, and two spectators were critically injured. This incident is currently under investigation. and the Secret Service has notified the FBI.
The following information is a culmination of 620 WTMJ’s coverage and reporting from The Associated Press.
UPDATE at 6:25 p.m. CST on July 13, 2024: One civilian died and the suspect is dead at a Donald Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, the Butler County, PA District Attorney confirmed with The Associated Press.
The Secret Service said in a statement that “the former President is safe.”
Butler County district attorney Richard Goldinger said in a phone interview that the suspected gunman was dead and at least one rally attendee was killed.
WTMJ’s team is live on the air with John Mercure and Steve Scaffidi discussing the latest.
UPDATE at 5:45 p.m. CST on July 13, 2024: BUTLER, Pa. (AP) — Donald Trump’s campaign said in a statement that he was “fine” after being whisked off the stage at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania after apparent gunshots rang through the crowd.
“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 checked out at a local medical facility. More details will follow.”
The former president and presumptive Republican nominee was showing off a chart of border crossing numbers during his last rally before the Republican National Convention opens Monday when bangs started ringing through the crowd. Trump could be seen reaching with his right hand toward his neck. There appeared to be blood on his face.
He is expected to be in attendance for the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin from July 15th through 18th.
UPDATE at 5:52 p.m. CST on July 13, 2024: President Joe Biden has received an ‘initial briefing’ on the potential shooting and incident at former President Donald Trump’s rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania governor condemns violence against any political party or leader
Gov. Josh Shapiro said he had been briefed on the situation and condemned the incident, saying that “violence targeted at any political party or political leader is absolutely unacceptable.”
BUTLER, Pa. (AP) — Donald Trump was whisked off the stage at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania after apparent gunshots rang through the crowd.
Trump was showing off a chart of border crossing numbers when bangs started ringing through the crowd. Trump could be seen reaching with his right hand toward his neck. There appeared to be blood on his face.
He quickly ducked behind the riser as agents from his protective detail rushed the stage and screams rang out from the crowd. The bangs continued as agents tended to him on stage.
His motorcade has left the venue. His condition was not immediately known.
This is a sensitive and ongoing situation. 620 WTMJ will provide updates as they become available through verifiable sources.
More information on Trump’s Saturday rally in Butler, Pennsylvania via AP Reporting:
Donald Trump will have one last chance Saturday to unveil his vice presidential pick on a rally stage before the Republican National Convention kicks off in Milwaukee next week.
Trump’s rally in western Pennsylvania, just outside Pittsburgh, comes as the former reality TV star and tabloid hound continues to tease his pick, working to drum up maximum attention and hype.
With President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign and the Democratic Party engulfed in crisis over a dismal debate performance that has sparked calls for him to step aside, Trump has been keeping mostly out of the spotlight, making only a few public appearances over the last two weeks.
RELATED: RNC Chairman is “fully expecting” Trump to attend July convention in Milwaukee
