Eyewitness accounts pour in following Trump assassination attempt in Pennsylvania
Eyewitness accounts are pouring in after former President Trump was injured in an assassination attempt at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
The U.S. Secret Service said in a press release that the suspected shooter fired from an “elevated position” and killed at least one person and “critically injured” 2 others. The perpetrator was killed by law enforcement.
Trump was speaking when as many as five shots were heard and the former president grabbed his right ear and then went to the ground as Secret Service surrounded him. Trump soon reemerged and could be seen with blood on his cheek and right ear as he raised his arm defiantly and yelled “fight!” at his supporters.
Witnesses to the shocking scenes recounted the confusion and chaos to Fox News and other outlets.
TRUMP SAYS HE WAS ‘SHOT WITH A BULLET’ IN ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT AT PENNSYLVANIA RALLY
Brandon Christie, a witness at the Trump rally on Saturday, told “Hannity” that he initially mistook the “pop” of a gunshot as a speaker crackling but soon realized the severity of the situation as people began to scream.
He and his relatives quickly ducked down to the ground as one Secret Service member allegedly discharged his weapon several times in the direction of the shooter.
“There was just blood everywhere,” he said.
Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania, Mayor Jondavid Longo offered his “front-row” account of the chaos shortly after shots were fired.
Longo, who was on stage when the incident occurred, said people came into the rally with smiles on their faces, but the tone outside did a complete 180 as the reality of the situation shifted into focus.
“I’m speechless,” he told Fox News correspondent Alexis McAdams. “All I can think of right now is this is representative of the vitriol and the hate a lot of people in the United States seem to have for people with conservative ideals and principles behind them, and I’m just sorry it’s come to that.”
Another eyewitness said she heard a noise that sounded like firecrackers before she and other attendees were ordered to get down.
“We huddled and we just started praying,” the eyewitness said. “The lady in front of me that laid on top of me, she was crying. I just said, ‘It’s going to be OK, honey.'”
VIDEO OF RALLYGOERS, LAW ENFORCEMENT REACTION AFTER SHOOTING AT TRUMP RALLY
As Trump re-emerged with his fist in the air, the woman said other attendees raised themselves back to their feet.
“Like as a true leader, he was like, leading us,” she said.
Blake, a delegate who was close to Trump when shots were fired, said he was hoping the noise was a “joke” or fireworks.
“When I looked back towards the president, the Secret Service was actively tackling him to the ground, and at that point, I heard some other sounds, and I thought, well, this is gunfire,” he said.
Blake remained firm that he does not believe hostilities are as high as some believe in the United States, but he admitted he did not think anything like this would ever happen.
One male eyewitness proclaimed that he would have “taken a shot” for Trump and attempted to take a video of what was happening at the venue.
A female attendee with the man claimed that she saw smoke from the gunfire and quickly rushed into the crowd to find her son and daughter-in-law once the crowd was allowed to stand back up.
Another woman whose son was close to the attendee killed inside the rally appeared visibly shaken and emotional as she recalled the incident.
“As soon as we heard what happened, I called him immediately, and he just said, ‘I’m OK, I can’t talk right now,’ and he was on the ground.”
BRET BAIER: THAT PICTURE OF TRUMP IS NOW AN ‘INDELIBLE IMAGE’
The woman said she did not immediately identify the sounds as gunshots but knew instinctively that something was “wrong” and “not normal.”
“Instantly, people were running and screaming to get out, and we just didn’t know what to do,” she said.
Another attendee, who spoke with Reuters, said he was “horrified” by the violence.
“It’s stunning. It’s absolutely stunning, and it’s just going to drive people to be even more for [Trump]. I mean, especially when that picture comes out,” the man said as he fought to hold back tears.
One man at the rally told the outlet he was extrmely upset and expressed concern the incident could spawn more division in the United States.
“Everybody stood together and everybody screamed out the Father’s prayer and everybody prayed together,” a woman chimed in. “That was amazing. That was something that was beautiful.”
FAITH LEADERS SHARE URGENT PRAYERS FOR FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP AFTER PENNSYLVANIA RALLY SHOOTING
Another man who was outside the Pennsylvania rally claimed he saw the perpetrator before shots rang out and tried to alert law enforcement.
“We noticed a guy crawling – bear crawling – up the roof of the building beside us, 50 feet away from us,” the man told BBC News, adding, “You could clearly see him with a rifle.”
He said they told law enforcement a man was crawling on the roof, and he began thinking that he didn’t understand why Trump hadn’t been pulled off the stage where he was speaking.
“Next thing you know, five shots ran out,” he said, telling the BBC reporter he was “100 percent” sure the shots came from the man he saw.
“We were telling the police, we were pointing at him for the Secret Service who were looking at us from the top of the barn,” he said. “Why was there not Secret Service on all of these roofs here? This is not a big place.”
He said law enforcement killed the man on the roof afterward: “Secret Service blew his head off.”
CBS’ Jake Rosen posted a video of his interview with an emergency room doctor who said he tried to save someone’s life in the crowd at the shooting.
“I heard the shots,” said the man, who was wearing a red “Make America Great Again” hat and appeared to have blood on his shirt. “I thought it was firecrackers, to begin with. Somebody over there was screaming, ‘he’s been shot, he’s been shot.'”
He said the victim had a head shot and there was “lots of blood” and “he had brain matter.” He added he did CPR for him on a bench.
Another man told CBS News he was waiting for Trump to speak and noticed two officers “looking for something or somebody,” before spotting the shooter himself on the roof and alerting police.
He said other onlookers noticed the man on the roof as well and alerted police again.
“When I turned back is when the shots started and it took me a second or two to figure out exactly what it was, and then it was just getting out of there and helping some other person out with her child, and we got out,” he said.
A woman who was “directly in front of Trump” at the time of the shooting told NBC News about what she witnessed.
“I was directly in front of Trump, my seat,” she said.
“I was looking him in the eye. We heard the pops. Maybe three minutes into the rally, three to four minutes. I heard four pops, pop, pop, pop. The four Secret Service immediately jumped on the stage, and we saw him push President Trump to the ground.”
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She said she could hear Trump talking about getting his shoes back on.
“His shoes must have come of when they dropped him down to the ground. The first thing he said, we could all hear it. ‘I have to get my shoes on first.’”And when he stood up, I’m looking at him forward, I see the red teardrop right here of blood. Fresh red blood. Just a little tear. Then when they got him up and they turned him, I could see the blood from the top of the ear to the bottom. Wasn’t gushing, but it was covered. And then he put the fist bump up. ‘Stay strong.’ And they walked him off.”
Trump wrote on social media on Saturday night that he had been shot in the ear and thanked the Secret Service for their response. He also expressed condolences for the other victims in the case, writing, “GOD BLESS AMERICA!”
Trump rally shooting suspect pictured after assassination attempt
Images provided by law enforcement sources at the scene of former President Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania Saturday appear to show the downed suspect after Secret Service agents “neutralized” a gunman who they say opened fire on the rally, fatally striking one spectator and critically injuring two more.
Authorities were still working to confirm the suspect’s identity Saturday evening.
Trump was rushed to a hospital after he appeared to suffer an injury to his ear and was pictured with blood on the right side of his face and head as Secret Service agents escorted him off the rally stage.
After agents shielded him behind their own bodies, he rose with them and held his hand up, prompting cheers from the crowd after several moments on gunfire and panic.
TRUMP SAYS HE WAS ‘SHOT WITH A BULLET’ IN ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT AT PENNSYLVANIA RALLY
The Secret Service said in a statement that the attacker and one bystander had been killed. Two other people were hurt.
The gunman opened fire from an “elevated position” outside the rally’s security perimeter, authorities said.
Later Saturday, the FBI said it was taking the lead in the investigation.
VIDEO OF RALLYGOERS, LAW ENFORCEMENT REACTION AFTER SHOOTING AT TRUMP RALLY
Bloody images from the scene show a man with a thin build and a gray T-shirt. He appeared to have been shot in the head.
Trump appeared to grab his ear and duck as agents swarmed to protect him. They can be overheard on the microphone saying the shooter, who was out of the camera’s view, is down.
Sources said Secret Service counter snipers took him out after he opened fire on the former president from a vantage point about 300 yards away.
Anyone with information that could help investigators is asked to call 1-800-CALL-FBI.
BRET BAIER: THAT PICTURE OF TRUMP IS NOW AN ‘INDELIBLE IMAGE’
Trump in a statement said that the bullet “pierced” the upper part of his right ear. The attack happened just minutes after he took the stage at a rally at Butler Farm in Butler County, Pennsylvania.
“I want to thank The United States Secret Service, and all of Law Enforcement, for their rapid response on the shooting that just took place in Butler, Pennsylvania,” Trump said.
“Most importantly, I want to extend my 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. It is incredible that such an act can take place in our Country.”
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President Biden also condemned the attack, saying he had been briefed on the incident and that he had spoken with his predecessor and 2024 rival in the aftermath.
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“I’m grateful to hear that he’s safe and doing well,” he said. “I’m praying for him and his family and for all those who were at the rally, as we await further information.”
Biden speaks after Trump rally shooting: ‘No place in America for this kind of violence’
President Biden released a statement after a shooting at a rally for former President Trump on Saturday, after which Trump had blood on his face and was escorted off the stage by Secret Service agents.
“I have been briefed on the shooting at Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania,” Biden said in a White House statement around 8 p.m.
“I’m grateful to hear that he’s safe and doing well. I’m praying for him and his family and for all those who were at the rally, as we await further information,” Biden, who is facing Trump in the 2024 presidential election in November, added.
PRESIDENT BIDEN RELEASES STATEMENT ABOUT TRUMP RALLY SHOOTING
“Jill and I are grateful to the Secret Service for getting him to safety. There’s no place for this kind of violence in America. We must unite as one nation to condemn it,” the president said.
Former President Obama released his own statement prior to Biden, saying, “There is absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy.”
“Although we don’t yet know exactly what happened, we should all be relieved that former President Trump wasn’t seriously hurt, and use this moment to recommit ourselves to civility and respect in our politics,” he said. “Michelle and I are wishing him a quick recovery.”
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In a statement from the George W. Bush Presidential Center, former President Bush said, “Laura and I are grateful that President Trump is safe following the cowardly attack on his life. And we commend the men and women of the Secret Service for their speedy response.”
Fellow former President Clinton reacted on X, posting that “Violence has no place in America, especially in our political process.”
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“Hillary and I are thankful that President Trump is safe, heartbroken for all those affected by the attack at today’s rally in Pennsylvania, and grateful for the swift action of the U.S. Secret Service,” Clinton said.
Biden addressed the nation from Rehoboth Beach, Delaware on Saturday evening after the shooting, telling reporters, “There’s no place in America for this kind of violence. It’s sick. It’s sick. … We cannot condone this.”
Mayorkas denied ‘repeated requests’ for more protection for Trump, GOP lawmaker says
A House Republican lawmaker is alleging that Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas denied stronger Secret Service protection for former President Trump multiple times.
Rep. Mike Waltz, R-Fla., made the accusation hours after Trump was grazed by a bullet at his Saturday Pennsylvania rally.
“I have very reliable sources telling me there have been repeated requests for stronger secret service protection for President Trump. Denied by Secretary Mayorkas,” Waltz wrote on X.
The House Homeland Security Committee is planning on investigating reports that Trump was denied stronger Secret Service protection before the rally, a source told Fox News Digital.
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“The Committee has seen these reports, as well, and are going to be conducting thorough oversight into what happened both leading up to and in the immediate aftermath of the attempted assassination of President Trump. Obviously, such reports are deeply troubling and demand investigation,” the source said.
One rally attendee was killed, and two others were injured after a shooter opened fire at the former president’s campaign rally, according to a Secret Service statement. The shooter was also killed.
Waltz, a member of the House Intelligence Committee, would not elaborate on his comments when Fox News Digital reached out to his office.
Fox News Digital also reached out to the Department of Homeland Security for comment.
That’s in addition to House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., who publicly called on Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheadle to publicly testify before his panel.
“The Oversight Committee will send a formal invitation soon,” he wrote on X.
Trump released a statement hours after the shooting thanking law enforcement and expressing condolences for the person who died.
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“I want to thank The United States Secret Service, and all of Law Enforcement, for their rapid response on the shooting that just took place in Butler, Pennsylvania. Most importantly, I want to extend my 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,” Trump wrote.
“It is incredible that such an act can take place in our Country. Nothing is known at this time about the shooter, who is now dead. 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. Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening.”
Sports world shows support for Trump following shooting at rally
Gunshots rang out in what is widely speculated to be an assassination attempt on Donald Trump on Saturday.
The former president held a rally in Butler, Pa. before several shots rang out, and the Secret Service told him to “get down.”
Trump gave the crowd a fist before heading off the stage – he went to a medical facility and was “fine,” his campaign said.
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In the aftermath of the ordeal, some of sports’ biggest stars reacted, both condemning the acts and showing support for Trump.
A UFC fighter, Evan Elder, also gave Trump a shout out after he won a fight just hours after the shooting.
The shooter was killed by the Secret Service counter sniper team, sources told Fox News.
Trump confirmed he was “shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear.”
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“I want to thank The United States Secret Service, and all of Law Enforcement, for their rapid response on the shooting that just took place in Butler, Pennsylvania. Most importantly, I want to extend my 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,” he said in a statement.
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“It is incredible that such an act can take place in our Country. Nothing is known at this time about the shooter, who is now dead. 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. Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening. GOD BLESS AMERICA!”
UFC fighter gives former president shoutout after winning match
The show went on in Denver on Saturday night after the shooting at Donald Trump’s rally.
UFC Fight Night was underway shortly after what is widely believed to be an assassination attempt on the former president.
The company’s president, Dana White, has long been friendly with Trump, speaking at several of his rallies in the past. White is also reportedly slated to speak right before Trump at the Republican National Convention this week.
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Evan Elder, apparently, is a supporter as well.
After his win by submission against Darrius Flowers on the preliminary card, Elder voiced his support for his “boy.”
“I heard they just tried to whack my boy Trump. I’m glad that man is OK – long live Trump, let’s go baby. Trump 2024!” he said after his victory to applause.
Trump has long been a fan of the UFC, attending several events over the last several years. He most recently attended UFC 302 in Newark for the Islam Makhachev-Dustin Poirier title fight, just two days after he was found guilty on all counts of falsifying business records in the first degree.
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Prior to that, he was at UFC 299 in Miami, just hours after a rally in Georgia, where he gave White praise.
Trump took in four UFC events last year, including UFC 287 (also in Miami) and UFC 296 (in Las Vegas) to watch Jorge Masvidal and Colby Covington, respectively, who have both shown their support for Trump. Both fighters lost their respective bouts.
Trump was on stage in Butler, Pennsylvania, when gunshots rang out. Trump grabbed the side of his face before the Secret Service told him to “get down.”
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He was eventually escorted off-stage, but not before giving a fist to the crowd. Sources have told Fox News that the shooter was killed by the Secret Service counter sniper team.
Trump’s campaign said he is “fine.”