Former President Donald Trump survived an attempted assassination in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, reportedly suffering only a grazing wound to his ear after apparent gunshots interrupted his campaign rally.
The violence claimed the life of one rally attendee, and the shooter was confirmed dead at the scene, according to The Associated Press, which obtained the information from Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger. A second attendee at the rally is reported to be in serious condition, according to The Washington Post reporter Meryl Kornfield.
“President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act,” said Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung in a statement after the attack. Cheung stated that Trump “is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility.”
Butler county district attorney Richard Goldinger tells me Trump was grazed by gunfire but is safe. An audience member was killed and the shooter is dead. Another person is in serious condition, the prosecutor said.
— Meryl Kornfield (@MerylKornfield) July 13, 2024
Republican U.S. Senate nominee Dave McCormick told German-owned Politico he was nearby Trump and preparing to join him onstage when the gunfire began, and stated that someone behind him was apparently shot.
“All the sudden shots started to crack, someone behind me appears to have been shot. There’s lots of blood, and then the Secret Service were all over President Trump,” McCormick told the outlet.
McCormick added in a statement posted to the social media platform X that he and his wife “are praying for President Trump and all who were injured today in Butler PA.”
Dina and I are praying for President Trump and all who were injured today in Butler PA.
— Dave McCormick (@DaveMcCormickPA) July 13, 2024
One rally attendee identified himself to CBS News reporter Jake Rosen as an emergency room doctor and explained he initially thought the noise was from firecrackers.
“He had a head shot,” the man stated, explaining the wound resulted in “lots of blood” and “brain matter.” When the audio became difficult to hear, he stated that a helicopter was coming to fly the man to receive medical help.
An emergency room doctor I spoke with tried to save someone’s life in the crowd @CBSNews pic.twitter.com/OJvScwRLRk
— jake rosen (@JakeMRosen) July 13, 2024
Immediately after the attempted assassination, a video posted to X showed Trump first ducked beneath the podium as the Secret Service ran toward him.
Trump stopped the men as they attempted to usher him offstage, raising and pumping his fist with blood smeared across his face.
At press time, the identity of the shooter has not been confirmed. A man who claimed he witnessed a man crawling on the roof claimed he pointed the shooter out to police for at least 10 minutes before the gunfire began and the man was fatally shot by Secret Service.
— INVESTMENT HULK (@INVESTMENTSHULK) July 13, 2024
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Tom Pappert is the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star, and also reports for The Pennsylvania Daily Star and The Arizona Sun Times. Follow Tom on X/Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
It wasn’t divine intervention for the guy who was shot in the face and died.
President Trumps security detail has asked DHS for more man power and the Biden administration has refused. RFK Jr. has also asked for security and been refused.
Could the people who control our government be any more corrupt. Thank God President Trump is OK, but an innocent attendee died. The Biden administration ONCE AGAIN has blood on their hands.
Was that divine intervention?