Trump rally shooting: ‘Much bleeding took place’ as former president shot in ear during Pennsylvania campaign

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Donald Trump’s spokesman says he is doing “fine” after shots were fired at his campaign rally in Pennsylvania.
The former US president is 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.

Donald Trump says a bullet hit his right ear at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania in which the former US president was rushed off stage with a bloodied ear by Secret Service agents Saturday, after a series of loud bangs that sounded like possible gunshots were heard.

Trump was seen with blood on his right ear as he was surrounded by security agents, who rushed him off the stage as he pumped his first to the crowd.

One audience member was killed two others critically injured, while the United States Secret Service killed the shooter, the organisation said in a statement.

A man with a bleeding ear gets carried away by three others

Donald Trump was bundled into a car by Secret Service agents after an alleged shooting at a campaign rally. Source: AAP

The Secre Service said the shooter fired shots from an elevated position outside the rally venue.

On his social media platform Truth Social, Trump said “It is incredible that such an act can take place in our Country.

“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 realised then what was happening. GOD BLESS AMERICA!”

Trump thanked the Secret Service and emergency responders and said nothing is known about the shooter.

He said he wants to extend 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.

The Associated Press reported the shooting would be treated as an attempted assassination, citing anonymous officials.

The “former President is safe,” the Secret Service said after Trump was bundled into an SUV and driven away.

“This is an active crime scene,” Secret Service officers told reporters, ordering them out of the area.

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

Trump is “fine” and being checked at a medical facility, his spokesperson said in a statement.

“President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act,” spokesman Steven Cheung said.

Trump’s son Donald Trump Junior said his father would “never stop fighting for America”.

Joe Biden says ‘no place for this violence’ after Trump shooting

US President Joe Biden said he had been briefed on the shooting and it appeared Trump was doing well and he was hoping to speak to his rival.

““There’s no place for violence in this country, it’s sick, it’s sick,” he said at a press conference.

“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.

Biden said the Trump rally “should have been able to be conducted peacefully without any problem. But the idea, the idea that there is political violence or violence like this in America is just unheard of. It is inappropriate. Everybody must condemn it.”

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 caliber handgun,” said John Yeykal from Franklin, Pennsylvania, who was attending his first Trump rally.

The disturbance took place shortly after Trump took the stage at his final campaign rally before the Republican party convention starts on Monday in Milwaukee.

The venue was abandoned with chairs knocked over and yellow police tape around the stage. A helicopter flew above and law enforcement officers walked through the area, the video feed showed. Armed law enforcement officers were also seen on a roof near the stage where Trump was standing.

World leaders condemn ‘political violence’

, including some of Trump’s critical and rivals, to condemn the apparent shooting.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the incident was “concerning and confronting.”

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.

US Senator Chuck Schumer in a statement said: “I am horrified by what happened at the Trump rally in Pennsylvania and relieved that former President Trump is safe. Political violence has no place in our country”.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on X “Sara and I were shocked by the apparent attack on President Trump. We pray for his safety and speedy recovery.”

Former president Barack Obama said there was “absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy.”

“Although we don’t yet know exactly what happened, we should all be relieved that former President Trump wasn’t seriously hurt, and use this moment to recommit ourselves to civility and respect in our politics,” he said.

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.”

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Key Points

Joe Biden says ‘no place for this violence’ after Trump shooting

World leaders condemn ‘political violence’

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