Eyewitness accounts detail chaotic moment when Trump was shot, security at venue
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.
LIVE UPDATES ON DEADLY SHOOTING AT TRUMP 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 SAYS HE WAS ‘SHOT WITH A BULLET’ IN ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT AT PENNSYLVANIA RALLY
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 with Trump following shooting at Pennsylvania rally
President Biden spoke with former President Trump Saturday night after a shooting at a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, a White House spokesperson told Fox News.
The former president suffered injuries to his ear after the shooting, appearing with blood on his face. He was discharged from Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh late Saturday night.
Biden also spoke with Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Butler Mayor Bob Dandoy.
A briefing was given to Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on Saturday night from Secret Service Director Kim Cheatle, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, Homeland Security Advisor Liz Sherwood-Randall, Attorney General Merrick Garland, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and FBI Director Christopher Wray.
BIDEN CAMPAIGN PULLING ADS IN WAKE OF TRUMP RALLY SHOOTING
The spokesperson said the president is returning to the White House from his home in Delaware. On Sunday, he will receive an updated briefing from Homeland Security and law enforcement officials.
“I have been briefed on the shooting at Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania,” Biden said in a statement. “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. 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 FBI is leading the investigation into the shooting.
The Secret Service confirms one spectator was killed and two others were injured in the shooting. The shooter was also killed.
“During Former President Trump’s campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on the evening of July 13 at approximately 6:15 p.m., a suspected shooter fired multiple shots toward the stage from an elevated position outside of the rally venue,” the Secret Service said in a statement.
“U.S. Secret Service personnel neutralized the shooter, who is now deceased,” the statement added. “U.S. 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.”
TRUMP SAYS HE WAS ‘SHOT WITH A BULLET’ IN ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT AT PENNSYLVANIA RALLY
Politicians from all sides have condemned the shooting.
Trump thanked law enforcement after the incident for their quick response, and expressed condolences to the spectator who was killed.
“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 in a statement. “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.”
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“It is incredible that such an act can take place in our Country,” he continued. “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!”
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.
TRUMP RETURNS TO PENNSYLVANIA FOR PRE-CONVENTION RALLY IN SWING STATE
“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.
SOFTENED ABORTION LANGUAGE IN TRUMP-APPROVED GOP PLATFORM IRKS SOME SOCIAL CONSERVATIVES
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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.”
World leaders react after shots ring out at Trump rally in Pennsylvania
World leaders have shared their shock and concern after gunshots rang out during a Trump rally in Pennsylvania Saturday.
“Sara and I were shocked by the apparent attack on President Trump,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wrote on social media platform X. “We pray for his safety and speedy recovery.”
Former President Trump was rushed off the stage by the Secret Service at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, after gunshots rang out. A law enforcement source told Fox News’ Jacqui Henrich the shooter is dead, and two people wounded were transported to a Pittsburgh hospital.
An FBI team is en route to the site to conduct an “assassination investigation,” a Secret Service source confirmed to Fox News’ Lucas Tomlinson.
VIDEO OF RALLYGOERS, LAW ENFORCEMENT REACTION AFTER SHOOTING AT TRUMP RALLY
Some world leaders took to X to issue quick thoughts and statements of shock and condemnation. British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer wrote he was “appalled by the shocking scenes at President Trump’s rally and we send him and his family our best wishes.”
“Political violence in any form has no place in our societies and my thoughts are with all the victims of this attack,” Starmer added.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese wrote “the incident at former President Trump’s campaign event in Pennsylvania today is concerning and confronting.”
BRET BAIER: THAT PICTURE OF TRUMP IS NOW AN ‘INDELIBLE IMAGE’
“There is no place for violence in the democratic process,” Albanese added. “I am relieved to hear reports that former President Trump is now safe.”
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a close ally of Trump who visited with the former president on Thursday, wrote, “My thoughts and prayers are with President [Donald Trump] in these dark hours.”
Another close Trump ally and leader of the Reform UK party, MP Nigel Farage, wrote on X, “Mainstream media have spread a narrative of hatred against my friend Donald Trump. I hope they are proud of themselves. Disgusting people.”
FAITH LEADERS SHARE URGENT PRAYERS FOR FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP AFTER PENNSYLVANIA RALLY SHOOTING
“I am following with apprehension the updates from Pennsylvania, where the 45th President of the United States [Donald Trump] was shot during a rally,” Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni wrote, according to a translation.
“My solidarity and my best wishes for a speedy recovery go to him, with the hope that the next few months of the electoral campaign will see dialogue and responsibility prevail over hatred and violence.”
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wrote that he was “sickened” by the shooting, stressing that “It cannot be overstated — political violence is never acceptable.”
“My thoughts are with former President Trump, those at the event, and all Americans,” Trudeau wrote.
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Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva wrote, “The attack against former President Donald Trump must be vehemently repudiated by all defenders of democracy and dialogue in politics. What we saw today is unacceptable,” according to a translation.
Argentinian President Javier Milei wrote that all of his “support and solidarity” were with Trump, calling him the “victim of a COWARDLY assassination attempt that put his life and that of hundreds of people at risk.”
“The desperation of the international left is not surprising, as today it sees its harmful ideology expire, and is willing to destabilize democracies and promote violence to screw itself into power,” Milei wrote, according to a translation. “In fear of losing at the polls, they resort to terrorism to impose their retrograde and authoritarian agenda.”
“I hope for a speedy recovery of President Trump and that the elections in the United States are held fairly, peacefully and democratically,” he added.
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India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on X: “Deeply concerned by the attack on my friend, former President Donald Trump. Strongly condemn the incident. Violence has no place in politics and democracies. Wish him speedy recovery. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the deceased, those injured and the American people.”
Also writing on X, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida stated “We must stand firm against any form of violence that challenges democracy. I pray for former President Trump’s speedy recovery.”
CNN host scolds Trump for his words moments after assassination attempt
A CNN correspondent criticized former President Trump for yelling “fight!” to his supporters in the immediate aftermath of Saturday’s stunning assassination attempt in Pennsylvania.
Trump could be seen bleeding from his ear as he was hustled off stage Saturday evening, shortly after a gunman opened fire at his rally. As Secret Service agents moved him away once the shooter had been killed, Trump raised his first and yelled “fight!” repeatedly, to roars of appreciation from his supporters.
CNN special correspondent Jamie Gangel suggested the presumptive Republican nominee was sending the wrong message.
“I do want to say there was one thing that when I watched the tape, I found odd because of all of the heated rhetoric, and that is after he was hit, former President Trump got up and said, ‘fight, fight, fight,’” Gangel said.
“I think what we’re hearing from people is that’s not the message that we want to be sending right now. We want to tamp it down,” she said.
SHOOTING AT TRUMP RALLY BEING INVESTIGATED AS POSSIBLE ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT
Gangel’s remarks drew criticism from some conservatives, many of whom were elated at Trump’s defiance in the moment. The perpetrator killed at least one attendee and critically injured two others, according to reports.
CBS host Margaret Brennan similarly chided Trump on Saturday for not urging his supporters to lower the political “temperature” in his social media statement, where he expressed condolences for the other victims and thanked law enforcement for their swift response.
Trump was discharged from a Pittsburgh-area hospital late Saturday and is now safe.
After addressing the nation and condemning the “sick” attack, President Biden spoke to Trump on the phone. Other former presidents and bipartisan voices have also condemned the shooting and wished Trump a speedy recovery.
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Sports world shows support for Trump following shooting at rally
Gunshots rang out Saturday in what has been called an assassination attempt on Donald Trump.
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 “safe,” his campaign said.
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In the aftermath of the incident, 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!”