Former President Donald Trump was rushed off stage after a shooting occurred at his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Trump announced this in a post published on the social network He was injured When the bullet hit the upper part of the right ear.
The Secret Service says Trump is now safe, and his campaign said he was checked out at a local hospital. Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr., told CBS News’ Robert Costa that his father is “fine.”
US Secret Service confirmed Two people died – the gunman and an audience member – and two spectators were seriously injured.
“Employees of the US Secret Service neutralized the shooter, who is now dead,” the agency said.
Reporters heard multiple gunshots and the Secret Service arrived on the scene. In a video obtained by CBS News, Trump is seen touching his ear and then bowing to the ground. Blood was visible on his face.
Trump was taken in a motorcade. He raised his fist as he got into the jeep.
Authorities are investigating the shooting as an attempted murder, law enforcement sources told CBS News. The FBI said in a statement that it is leading the investigation with assistance from the Secret Service and state and local agencies.
Law enforcement sources told CBS News that the suspect was firing an AR-style rifle from 200 to 300 feet away. Law enforcement sources said the gunman was on top of a shed outside a security perimeter set up by the Secret Service.
“The Secret Service has taken protective measures and the former president is safe,” Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielli said in a statement.
The agency released more details in a second statement Saturday evening:
“During former President Trump’s campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on the evening of July 13 at approximately 6:15 p.m., a suspected gunman fired multiple shots into the stage from an elevated position outside the rally venue. US Secret Service agents neutralized the shooter, who is now dead, responded quickly and former President Trump was killed, while two bystanders were seriously injured and notified by the Secret Service. “
The Trump campaign said in a statement: “President Trump would like to thank law enforcement and first responders for their swift action during this horrific act. He is doing well and is being checked out at a local medical facility.” He was released from the hospital on Saturday night.
In a post on Truth Social Saturday night, Trump explained what happened and described his injuries:
“I want to thank the United States Secret Service and all law enforcement for their quick response to the shooting in Butler, Pennsylvania. Most importantly, I want to express my condolences to the man’s family. Raleigh is killed and the family of another person seriously injured by a bullet that went through the top of my right ear I immediately knew something was wrong I heard a whistle, a shot and immediately I felt a bullet go through a bullet so I knew what was going on God bless America !”
A photo by New York Times photographer Doug Mills captured the moment Trump was shot in the head as he spoke at a rally.
Trump’s motorcade left Butler Memorial Hospital shortly before 9:30 p.m. local time, two sources confirmed to CBS News, and has now left the area under Secret Service protection, the governor said. It is unclear where he was headed. He was originally scheduled to travel to his estate in Bedminster, New Jersey, before traveling to Milwaukee for the Republican National Convention, which begins on Monday.
Representative Mike Kelly of Pennsylvania, who was backstage watching Trump’s speech, told CBS News, “I believe the lady who was next to me was hit, other people hit her.”
several witnesses told CBS Pittsburgh reporters they saw the gunman on the roof before the shooting started and tried to alert officers.
Another witness, Madison Brooks, told CBS News: “I was about five feet away from him, like I was within sight, like I was so close, and all of a sudden I hear these four shots and everybody’s yelling, ‘Drop it.’ And you can see the blood on his face, which the Secret Service is just holding back.
CBS News campaign reporter Jake Rosen interviewed a witness with blood on his shirt who said he was an ER doctor and administered CPR to a victim with a head wound.
“I heard a gunshot. At first I thought it was a gunshot,” he said. “Someone over there was yelling that he’s been shot. He’s been shot. So I took off. I said I’m an emergency room doctor. Let me help you. The guy rolled over, he was trapped between the chairs. He was shot in the head, there was a lot of blood and he had brain matter.
According to the man, the helicopter was coming for the victim.
CBS Pittsburgh reporter Ricky Sayer reported that a medivac helicopter landed at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh and a person was rushed to the hospital. The identity and condition of the person is unknown. A small number of police were seen outside the hospital, and a second helicopter landed shortly after with the transport. This was followed by a black SUV with police lights parked next to the helicopter.
The hospital later confirmed it was treating two seriously injured patients.
President Biden addressed the nation Around 8:15 PM ET.
“This kind of violence has no place in America. It’s sick, it’s sick,” Biden said. “That’s one of the reasons we have to bring this country together. We can’t let that happen. We can’t be like this. We can’t let that happen.”
A reporter asked the president if he believed it was an assassination attempt.
“I don’t know enough — I have an opinion, but I don’t have any facts,” Biden said. “So I want to make sure I have all the facts before I comment.”
The White House confirmed late on Saturday that Mr. Biden and Mr. Trump had spoken by phone, but did not specify what was said on the call. A Trump adviser also confirmed the two conversations.
In an earlier statement, Mr Biden said: “I am grateful to hear that he is safe and doing well. I am praying for him and his family and all those who were at the rally as we wait for more information. Jill and I are grateful to the Secret Service for getting him to safety, in America we must come together as one nation.
A Biden campaign official says the campaign is suspending all outgoing communications and working to remove their TV ads as quickly as possible.
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson said The House will conduct “a full investigation into today’s tragic events. The American people deserve to know the truth. We will have Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle and other relevant officials from DHS and the FBI appear before our committees as soon as possible.”
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer was published A letter inviting Cheatley to testify at a hearing on Monday, July 22.
Numerous political figures on both sides quickly Condemned the attack.
Vice President Kamala Harris said in a statement: “Doug and I are relieved that he is not seriously injured. We are praying for him, his family and all those who were injured and affected by this senseless shooting. … Violence is like that. Because it has no place does not exist in our nation, we must all condemn this heinous act and do our part to ensure that it does not lead to more violence.
Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi in twitter“As someone whose family has been a victim of political violence, I know firsthand that political violence of any kind has no place in our society. I thank God that former President Trump is safe. As we learn more details about this horrific incident, let us pray that May all those present at today’s rally of the former president be unharmed.”
“Violence directed at any political party or political leader is absolutely unacceptable,” Pennsylvania Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro said of X. “It has no place in Pennsylvania or the United States. @PAStatePolice are on the ground in Butler County and work with our federal and local partners.
Donald Trump Jr. posted a photo of his father after the incident and wrote: “He will never stop fighting to save America.”
North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, considered a possible Trump running mate, posted on social media, “Please join Kathryn and I in praying for President Trump, his family, and everyone attending today’s rally.
Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, another potential VP candidate, in twitter“Praying for President Trump and everyone attending the rally in Pennsylvania today.
Ohio Sen. JD Vance, also on the VP shortlist, write“Everyone join me in praying for our President Trump and everyone at this rally. I hope everyone is doing well.”
CBS New York reports Security has been tightened After the shooting at Trump Tower in Manhattan.
Washington, D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department said it was increasing its police presence across the city “out of an abundance of caution” but said there were no known threats to the area.
This is a developing story. Please check for updates.
Robert Costa, Pat Milton, Andy Triey, Arden Farah, Finn Gomez, Aaron Navarro and other CBS News staff contributed reporting.