BUTLER, PA (Pennsylvania Capital Star) — Former President Donald Trump was injured at a campaign rally in Butler on Saturday in what law enforcement officials called an assassination attempt. A rally-goer and the gunman were killed, authorities said, and two other people at the rally were critically injured in the incident, according to the U.S. Secret Service.
Authorities said at a press conference late Saturday that there was no reason to believe there was any other existing threat but said the site of the shooting remained an active crime scene. They did not identify the shooter except to say he was male and did not identify the victims. Anyone who attended the rally or has information is asked to call 1-800-call-fbi or go to fbi.gov/butler.
The shooting began shortly after Trump took the stage at about 6 p.m. when several loud pops could be heard, and Secret Service agents whisked him off the stage, blood visible on his face. Trump briefly pumped his fist at the crowd before he left the stage.
Donald Trump was whisked off the stage at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, after apparent gunshots rang through the crowd.
In a statement, Trump said he is “fine” and is being checked at a medical facility. pic.twitter.com/jAyWz53Aqi
— The Associated Press (@AP) July 13, 2024
Trump confirms he was shot
Saturday’s event was to be Trump’s final campaign rally before he formally accepts the Republican Party’s 2024 presidential nomination at next week’s Republican National Convention, which the campaign said Saturday he will attend.
Trump posted to his verified account on the Truth Social platform at 8:42 p.m. and appeared to confirm he was shot.
“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. GOD BLESS AMERICA!
Anthony Guglielmi, Chief of Communications for the U.S. Secret Service released a statement to reporters shortly before 9 p.m. Saturday:
“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. U.S. Secret Service personnel neutralized the shooter, who is now deceased. 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.”
The Secret Service did not appear at the press conference with the FBI and Pennsylvania State Police shortly before midnight in Butler. Asked how the shooter was able to get so close to the former president and fire off several rounds, FBI Special Agent Kevin Rojek from the Pittsburgh field office said at the press conference it was “surprising,” adding “the Secret Service really needs to answer that question, they conduct the initial site survey, they do the initial security assessments and determine where the different security locations should be, and they’re the ones who are in charge of securing the scene.”
Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger said on CNN that the shooter was “outside of the grounds, so to speak. Quite frankly, I don’t know how he would have gotten to the location he was … we’re gonna have to figure out how he got there.”
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Biden condemns shooting
President Joe Biden condemned the shooting in a brief statement from Delaware. “There’s no place in America for this kind of violence,” Biden said.
“It’s sick; it’s one of the reasons we have to unite this country,” he added. “We cannot allow for this to be happening. We cannot be like this. We cannot condone this.”
A White House official said late Saturday that Biden had spoken to Trump, as well as to Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Butler Mayor Bob Dandoy.
Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung told reporters Saturday “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.”
Shapiro said on social media he had been briefed on the situation and that Pennsylvania State Police were on the scene working with federal and local partners.
GOP U.S. Senate candidate David McCormick, who spoke at the rally before Trump, told Fox News there were a number of shots, and Secret Service agents attended to Trump. He said it was hard to tell where the shots came from, but that he heard seven or eight shots.
“And then, sadly, someone behind me, up in the bleachers was definitely wounded, and there was a lot of blood. And, you know, the police came in and helped carry that person out of the stands so they could get the care they needed. I’m not sure if others were injured or not, if at all, ” he said, describing the scene as “very chaotic.”
McCormick said he was sitting in the front row to Trump’s right as he was facing the crowd. “I couldn’t tell whether it was one gun or two, but there were seven or eight shots, just one right, one right after another.”
U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa) said he was monitoring the situation at the rally and had reached out to State Police to offer support. “Political violence is never acceptable and I am hoping former President Trump and all attendees are safe. Everyone in Butler should listen to law enforcement,” Casey posted to social media.
U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-16th District), who also spoke at the rally, called the shooting an “attack from the left,” in a Facebook post, adding that he and his family were safe “and we are praying for Mr. Trump and everyone involved.”
Trump to attend Republican National Convention
In a joint statement Saturday evening, Trump campaign advisors Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita and Republican National Committee chairman Michael Whatley and co-chairman Lara Trump said Trump was doing well. “President Trump looks forward to joining you all in Milwaukee as we proceed with our convention to nominate him to serve as the 47th President of the United States. As our party’s nominee, President Trump will continue to share his vision to Make America Great Again.”
Later on Saturday, an FBI spokesperson said the agency had assumed the role of lead federal law enforcement agency in the investigation. “We will continue to support this investigation with the full resources of the FBI, alongside our partners at the U.S. Secret Service and state and local law enforcement.”
In a second social media post shortly after 11 p.m., Shapiro said Trump had left Butler. ABC News reported Trump arrived in Newark shortly before midnight.
“Federal law enforcement officials will continue to lead on the investigation into the shooting of former President Trump,” Shapiro wrote. “Pennsylvania State Police will lead the investigation into the shooting of the other victims. I have been in regular communication with law enforcement on the ground in Pennsylvania and have spoken with President Biden who offered his full support.”
Trump campaign deputy director of communications Margo Martin posted a video at 12:37 a.m. Sunday of Trump disembarking from a plane.
Peter Hall of the Capital-Star staff contributed.
