Gunfire reportedly erupted at former US President Donald Trump's speech in Pennsylvania on Saturday.
The former president was speaking at his rally in the city of Butler when it was cut short by the sound of gunshots. Trump then put his hand to his ear, sat down behind the podium and was surrounded by bodyguards, a broadcast showed.
A couple of minutes later, the guards were leading the former president off the stage, with his right ear bloodied.
The former president was in the middle of discussing the issue of immigration in the US, and was displaying a chart of border crossing numbers when the incident occurred.
US Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi said on Saturday that Trump is safe after an apparent shooting during a campaign rally in the state of Pennsylvania.
"An incident occurred the evening of July 13 at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania. The Secret Service has implemented protective measures and the former president is safe. This is now an active Secret Service investigation and further information will be released when available," Guglielmi said on social media.
US President Joe Biden Made Aware of Reported Shooting
President Joe Biden has been briefed on the apparent shooting at Trump's organized rally in the state of Pennsylvania, the White House said in a statement.
"The President has received an initial briefing on the incident at Former President Trump’s rally," the White House said on Saturday.
Trump Campaign Confirms the Former President is Fine
The Trump campaign said former president is fine following an apparent shooting at a campaign rally in the state of Pennsylvania.
"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," a the Trump campaign said in a statement on Saturday.
Near-Death Experience Becomes an Opportunistic Moment for Trump
The former president appeared to tell his Secret Service staff to "wait" as Secret Service rushed him off stage. Trump then fist pumped the air repeating the word “fight.”
Alleged Shooter is Reportedly Dead
Richard A. Goldinger, Butler County District Attorney, confirmed to a reporter from the Washington Post that the suspected shooter at Trump's rally is dead, as well as an attendee to the event.
Citing law enforcement officials, the Associated Press reported that the alleged shooter was not an attendee at the rally, and was killed by Secret Service. The shooting will also be investigated as an assassination attempt, the report said.
US Politicians on 'Both Sides' Responded to the Incident
US President Joe Biden, who is running for a second presidential term against Trump, released a statement addressing the shooting on Saturday.
"I have been briefed on the shooting at Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania," Biden said.
"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," he added. "[The First Lady] 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."
Former President Barack Obama, who was Trump's Democratic predecessor, took a moment to condemn political violence after the incident.
"There is absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy," said Obama on X.
"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. Michelle and I are wishing him a quick recovery," the former president added.
Democratic former House speaker Nancy Pelosi, whose own husband suffered a home invasion and subsequent attack, said that she was thankful Trump is safe.
"Kelly and I are praying for President Trump and all the attendees of the campaign rally today in Pennsylvania, and we send our gratitude to the law enforcement who responded at the scene," said House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) in reference to his wife, Kelly Johnson.