The apparent assassination attempt on Donald Trump involved “multiple shots (fired) toward the stage from an elevated position outside the rally venue,” the US Secret Service said Saturday.
READ MORE: Donald Trump Shooting LIVE: Former US President Says ‘Bullet Pierced His Ear’; Shooter Dead
In Butler, Pennsylvania, Trump was shot by a gunman at a campaign rally, in a chaotic and shocking incident that will fuel fears of instability ahead of the 2024 US presidential election. The 78-year-old former president was rushed off stage with blood smeared across his face after the shooting.
Here is the latest information from our investigation. We are grateful to the Secret Service team and our law enforcement partners for their swift action. Our thoughts go out to the families affected by this tragedy. pic.twitter.com/E8FazqtUVZ— Anthony Guglielmi (@SecretSvcSpox) July 14, 2024
“During former President Trump’s campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on the evening of 13 July at approximately 6:15pm, a suspected shooter fired multiple shots toward the stage from an elevated position outside of the rally venue,” the statement read.
“US Secret Service personnel neutralised the shooter, who is now deceased. US Secret Service quickly responded with protective measures and former President Trump is safe. One spectator was killed, and two spectators were critically injured. This incident is currently under investigation. and the Secret Service has notified the FBI,” it added.
Eyewitnesses Report
Eyewitnesses have reported that the shooting during Trump’s campaign rally may have originated from a one-story building with a white roof situated to the right of the stage. One witness described seeing a man crawling onto the roof with a rifle before alerting law enforcement.
Shortly after, what appeared to be gunfire was heard. Several witnesses corroborated this account, suggesting that the building could be the source of the shots. However, the situation remains fluid, and the BBC has not been able to independently verify these early reports.
BREAKING: Eyewitness tells BBC that he informed police, Secret Service about a suspicious man on a roof with a rifle.He was ignored. pic.twitter.com/Cvfb7znZtZ
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) July 13, 2024
US President Joe Biden, who is set to face Trump in November’s deeply polarised election, said the incident was “sick” and added that there was “no place in America for this kind of violence.” “We cannot be like this,” Biden said. “It is incredible that such an act can take place in our Country,” Trump said on his TruthSocial network within hours, in remarks sure to stoke political tensions already engulfing the United States.
“I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin,” Trump said. “Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening.” Trump said in his statement that “I want to extend my condolences to the family of the person of the rally who was killed.”
(With agency inputs)
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