- "President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act. He is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility. More details will follow," said Steven Cheung a Trump spokesperson in a press statement Saturday.
Former President Donald Trump was shot at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, north of Pittsburgh, Saturday evening during a campaign rally.
Trump confirmed that he was shot by a bullet that grazed the upper part of his right ear on a post on his Truth Social page this evening.
Butler County, PA, District Attorney Richard Goldinger has told NBC News that the shooter is deceased. He also told NBC News that one person who attended the rally has been killed and another is in critical condition.
An eyewitness named Joseph told NBC that the man was shot in the head and died instantly, and he helped carry him out of the bleachers. He also said that Trump was nicked in his right ear.
The witness also said that he was shocked something like this didn’t happen earlier, given the division in the country.
Numerous gunshots could be heard in video footage of the rally, the crowd screaming, and Trump could be seen grabbing the back of the right side of his head as U.S. Secret Service agents rushed to get him off the stage. Calls were later heard that the shooter was down. There is no word at this time on the identification of the suspect.
As Trump stood back up surrounded by agents, blood could be seen above his right ear, with blood going toward his mouth. Reports say he is expected to survive the incident.
“President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act. He is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility. More details will follow,” said Steven Cheung a Trump spokesperson in a press statement moments ago.
The Trump campaign has said he will be okay and is being checked out at a nearby medical facility.
As he was being escorted off the stage Trump repeatedly pumped his fist to the crowd.
This all comes as the Republican National Convention is scheduled to start Monday in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has taken control of the investigation as of 8pm Saturday evening. The Secret Service confirmed that the shooter was killed by a Secret Service sniper. Video circulated on social media shortly after the shooting and is now confirmed to be the shooter on a nearby rooftop.
President Joe Biden was briefed on the incident while coming out of church in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, and issued a statement and held a brief press conference.
Congressman Mike Kelly, R-PA, told NBC News’s Lester Holt that the division in the country has got to stop. He said we cannot allow this to continue. “We are like a third-world country,” he said. “We can’t allow this evil to exist.”
This is a developing story. Carolina Journal will update the story as information becomes available.
Editor’s Note: This story has been updated.