Former United States President Donald Trump has just been shot during his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
(PLGNN) - Former United States President Donald Trump has just been shot in the ear during what officials are calling an "assassination attempt" during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. This assassination attempt has happened just days before Donald Trump was to accept the Republican nomination for the third time. Trump was shot in the ear, and at least one individual at the rally was killed, along with two others critically injured.
The shooter, who was identified by the FBI as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park Pennsylvania, fired at the former president from an "elevated position" about 400 feet away from where Trump was standing. The shooter fired five shots before he was killed by Secret Service counter-snipers. The FBI has not yet revealed any motive.
Witnesses describe watching the gunman get shot, saying that Secret Service "Blew his head off". Shortly after, agents were seen climbing onto building, where images on social media appeared to show the shooter lifeless.
One witness told the BBC he had seen the shooter prepare to assassinate the president, and said that the shooter crawled up the building with a rifle visible. The witness also mentioned that the gunman was atop the building for at least three to four minutes before being taken out.
An emergency room physician who was in the crowd of the Trump rally quickly rushed to one of the victims and administered CPR. The man told CBS News that he thought the shots were firecrackers at first, and he then heard somebody screaming "He's been shot".
The doctor, who was wearing a Make America Great Again (MAGA) hat and and a bloodstained USA t-shirt, said that the injured person was bleeding badly from a headshot with visible "brain matter". It is currently unknown whether that was the audience member confirmed dead.
After the first shots were fired, Secret Service agents immediately surrounded and covered Trump, who's ear appeared to be bleeding heavily. After the shooter was neutralized, Trump rose up and pumped his fist in a show of defiance, before being swiftly hustled offstage and into his SUV. As he left the stage, he was heard saying "let me get my shoes" to his security team.
After the shooting, the Secret Service said Trump is "fine."
Later, Trump posted to his social media platform, Truth Social, saying, "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!"
United States President Joe Biden, who will be running for re-election against Donald Trump in November, posted on X that, "I have been briefed on the shooting at Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania. 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. Jill 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."
The most recent assassination attempt on a United States president was on President Ronald Reagan, when he was shot by John Hinckley Jr. after a speaking engagement just two months after taking office. The then-70-year-old was seriously injured, however eventually recovered.
(PLGNN) - Former United States President Donald Trump has just been shot in the ear during what officials are calling an "assassination attempt" during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. This assassination attempt has happened just days before Donald Trump was to accept the Republican nomination for the third time. Trump was shot in the ear, and at least one individual at the rally was killed, along with two others critically injured.
The shooter, who was identified by the FBI as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park Pennsylvania, fired at the former president from an "elevated position" about 400 feet away from where Trump was standing. The shooter fired five shots before he was killed by Secret Service counter-snipers. The FBI has not yet revealed any motive.
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| Map of the area where former President Trump was shot; Image From CNN |
Witnesses describe watching the gunman get shot, saying that Secret Service "Blew his head off". Shortly after, agents were seen climbing onto building, where images on social media appeared to show the shooter lifeless.
One witness told the BBC he had seen the shooter prepare to assassinate the president, and said that the shooter crawled up the building with a rifle visible. The witness also mentioned that the gunman was atop the building for at least three to four minutes before being taken out.
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| Law enforcement on the rooftop next to the lifeless body of the shooter |
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| Secret Service sniper fires at shooter |
An emergency room physician who was in the crowd of the Trump rally quickly rushed to one of the victims and administered CPR. The man told CBS News that he thought the shots were firecrackers at first, and he then heard somebody screaming "He's been shot".
The doctor, who was wearing a Make America Great Again (MAGA) hat and and a bloodstained USA t-shirt, said that the injured person was bleeding badly from a headshot with visible "brain matter". It is currently unknown whether that was the audience member confirmed dead.
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| Blood on bleachers from one of the rally watchers |
After the first shots were fired, Secret Service agents immediately surrounded and covered Trump, who's ear appeared to be bleeding heavily. After the shooter was neutralized, Trump rose up and pumped his fist in a show of defiance, before being swiftly hustled offstage and into his SUV. As he left the stage, he was heard saying "let me get my shoes" to his security team.
After the shooting, the Secret Service said Trump is "fine."
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| Donald Trump's ear after being shot |
Later, Trump posted to his social media platform, Truth Social, saying, "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!"
United States President Joe Biden, who will be running for re-election against Donald Trump in November, posted on X that, "I have been briefed on the shooting at Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania. 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. Jill 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."
 |
| Image of what appears to be a bullet right before hitting Trump |
The most recent assassination attempt on a United States president was on President Ronald Reagan, when he was shot by John Hinckley Jr. after a speaking engagement just two months after taking office. The then-70-year-old was seriously injured, however eventually recovered.
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