Former President Donald Trump was shot in the ear Saturday evening while speaking at his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, in what is being investigated as an assassination attempt by a shooter on a nearby rooftop.
Trump was delivering his speech when gunshots rang out around 6:15 p.m. ET. He grabbed his right ear and dropped to the ground as Secret Service agents rushed to protect him. Multiple gunshots could be heard during the incident.
As Trump lay on the ground, a final round of shots and screams from the crowd were heard. Approximately 45 seconds later, agents announced, “Shooter’s down.” They confirmed the area was clear before lifting Trump to his feet, his face and ear bloodied.
Trump signaled to wait before being moved offstage. He raised his fist to the crowd, mouthed the word “fight” three times, and was met with chants of “USA!” as he was escorted to his vehicle.
One rally attendee was killed, and two others were critically injured, according to the Secret Service. All victims were male, per the FBI.
The attack raises significant security concerns, with calls for an investigation into the Secret Service’s handling of the event. The shooting occurred just before Trump’s scheduled acceptance of the 2024 presidential nomination at the Republican National Convention.
President Joe Biden condemned the shooting as “sick” and spoke with Trump by phone later that evening.
A law enforcement source told CNN that the shooter was positioned on a rooftop outside the rally venue. The incident is being investigated as a possible assassination attempt. The Secret Service reported that the shooter fired multiple shots from an elevated position and was subsequently killed by agents.
Video on social media showed the suspected shooter lying motionless on a rooftop. FBI special agent Kevin Rojek said they are close to identifying the shooter but have not released the name or motive.
Trump posted on Truth Social, describing the shooting and thanking the Secret Service and law enforcement. “I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear… Much bleeding took place. GOD BLESS AMERICA!” he wrote.
Source: CNN