Trump rally shooting: ‘Much bleeding took place’ as former president shot in ear during Pennsylvania campaign
Key Points
- Donald Trump’s spokesman says he is doing “fine” after shots were fired at his campaign rally in Pennsylvania.
- The former US president was being treated at a medical facility after appearing with a bloodied ear on stage.
- Two people who attended the rally are dead, including the shooter, US media is reporting.
Trump was seen with blood on his right ear surrounded by security agents on stage, moments after shots were heard at the rally on Sunday (AEST). The agents then rushed him off the stage as he pumped his fist in the air to a crowd.
Donald Trump was bundled into a car by Secret Service agents after an alleged shooting at a campaign rally. Source: AAP
One audience member was killed two others critically injured, while the United States Secret Service killed the shooter, the organisation said in a statement.
“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 a post on social media.
What do we know about the shooter?
“As soon as we are 100 per cent confident in who that individual is, we will share it with the press,” FBI special agent Kevin Rojek said.
Secret Service tend to republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump onstage. Credit: Getty Images
Who is investigating the Trump rally shooting?
Republican US House Speaker Mike Johnson said the House will also conduct a full investigation of the attack, adding: “The American people deserve to know the truth”.
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is helped off the stage at a campaign event in Butler, Pa., on Saturday, July 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) Source: AP / Gene J Puskar/AP
Joe Biden says ‘no place for this violence’ after Trump shooting
“It is one of the reasons we have to unite this country. We cannot allow for this to be happening, we cannot be like this, we cannot condone this.
Witnesses described the incident saying many people went down to the ground amid confusion about what was happening.
Donald Trump raises his fist in the air while held by secret service agents. Source: AAP
“I heard the shots, it sounded like between firecrackers and a small calibre handgun,” said John Yeykal from Franklin, Pennsylvania, who was attending his first Trump rally.
A statement from the Trump campaign said the former president was doing well after the incident and ‘looks forward to joining you all in Milwaukee as we proceed with our convention to nominate him to serve as the 47th President of the United States.”
World leaders condemn ‘political violence’
Former US presidential candidate Bernie Sanders said political violence was “absolutely unacceptable” and wished Trump, and others who may have been hurt, a speedy recovery.
Republican minority leader Mitch McConnell added: “Tonight, all Americans are grateful that President Trump appears to be fine after a despicable attack on a peaceful rally. Violence has no place in our politics.”