Former US president and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump was shot at during his election rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday.
Chicago: Former US president and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump was shot at during his election rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday. The shooter was shot dead by the Secret Service, law enforcement officials said.
As the bullet hit his ears, the former president was seen ducking with the secret service surrounding him post the series of gunshots. He could be heard making a few comments on an audio feed from the stage.
He was immediately escorted out of the venue by the US Secret Service.
In his first statement issued on the social media platform Truth Social, 78-year-old Trump thanked the US Secret Service for saving his life adding that a bullet pierced the upper part of his right ear.
“I want to thank the United States Secret Service, and all of Law Enforcement, for their rapid response to the shooting that just took place in Butler, Pennsylvania,” the former president said.
According to Anthony Guglielmi, spokesperson of the US Secret Service, the incident happened around 6:15 pm local time when the suspected shooter fired multiple shots toward the stage from an elevated position outside of the rally venue.
“US Secret Service personnel neutralised the shooter, who is now deceased. The US Secret Service quickly responded with protective measures and Former President Trump is safe. One spectator was killed, and two spectators were critically injured,” he said, adding that this incident is currently under investigation and the Secret Service has notified the FBI.
Trump said 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 realised then what was happening. God bless America!” Trump said.
Thousands of Trump supporters were attending the rally when the shooting, which was captured live on news channels, happened.
