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 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.
One audience member was killed two others critically injured, while the United States Secret Service killed the shooter, the organisation said in a statement.
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.
“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.
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.
“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.
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
“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 caliber handgun,” said John Yeykal from Franklin, Pennsylvania, who was attending his first Trump rally.
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’
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.”