Trump escapes assassination as gunman, one other shot dead

An apparent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump has resulted in the deaths of a gunman and an audience member.

The incident, which took place during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, also left Trump with a minor bullet wound to his ear.

The US Secret Service has confirmed that the gunman fired multiple shots from an elevated position outside the rally venue before being neutralized by law enforcement.

The chaos unfolded early Saturday evening while Trump was addressing a crowd of supporters. Witnesses reported hearing a series of gunshots, followed by the former president clutching his ear and falling to the ground. Secret Service agents immediately surrounded Trump, shielding him from further harm. As the situation escalated, armed security personnel stormed the stage to secure the area.

Trump later recounted the ordeal on his Truth Social platform, stating, “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.” Despite the injury, Trump managed to stand and pump his fist in the air, shouting “fight” before being escorted off the stage.

The US Secret Service confirmed that the gunman was killed during the confrontation and that a spectator also lost their life. Two other audience members were critically injured and are receiving medical treatment. The Secret Service has declared the incident an attempted assassination and has implemented stringent protective measures around Trump.

Footage from the scene showed a building with a white roof, approximately 150 meters from where Trump was speaking, with what appeared to be a body and a rifle on top. The chaotic moments were captured live on various cable news networks, leaving viewers in shock and disbelief.

The incident has prompted a wave of reactions from political leaders and public figures. President Joe Biden condemned the shooting, calling it “sick” and emphasizing that “there is no place in America for this kind of violence.” Biden also mentioned that he had attempted to contact Trump and was relieved to hear that he was doing well.

Former President Barack Obama took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his dismay, stating, “There is absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy. 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.”

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Israel’s President Benjamin Netanyahu also expressed their shock and extended their best wishes to Trump and the victims of the attack.

The assassination attempt on Donald Trump marks a deeply troubling moment in American politics. The event was a stark reminder of the volatility and tension that pervades the current political climate. As the nation grapples with this shocking incident, the call for unity and civility has never been more urgent.

Trump’s campaign has assured supporters that he is “fine” and is currently being evaluated at a local medical facility. “President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act,” said spokesman Steven Cheung. “More details will follow.”