Trump injured during election rally shooting

WASHINGTON – Former U.S. President Donald J. Trump was shot in the ear during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday evening, in what authorities are investigating as an assassination attempt. The shooter, positioned on a nearby rooftop, fired multiple shots toward the stage where Trump was speaking.

Trump, addressing the crowd at around 6:15 p.m. ET, was hit in the right ear and fell to the ground. Secret Service agents quickly responded, shielding him as more gunshots rang out. Shortly after the shooting began, agents reported, “Shooter’s down,” and Trump was helped to his feet, bloodied but conscious.

The Secret Service said one rally attendee was killed and two others were critically injured. All victims were male, according to the FBI.

President Joe Biden condemned the attack, describing it as “sick” and called for unity against such violence. He later spoke with Trump by phone.

A law enforcement source told CNN that the shooter was positioned on a building rooftop outside the rally venue. The shooter was killed by Secret Service agents. Video footage on social media showed the suspected shooter lying motionless on the roof.

FBI Special Agent in Charge Kevin Rojek said the agency is close to identifying the shooter but has not yet released the name. Rojek added that the motive remains unclear and there is no indication of additional threats.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump described the incident, thanked the Secret Service, and expressed his gratitude to law enforcement. “I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear… GOD BLESS AMERICA!” he wrote.

Rep. Dan Meuser, a Pennsylvania Republican, was at the rally with GOP Senate candidate Dave McCormick and Rep. Mike Kelly. Meuser said the person fatally shot was about 20 feet behind them.

“Everybody started screaming, asking for a medic, and honestly, it was a bloody scene,” Meuser said.

Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger said the shooter was on a building adjacent to the property, requiring a rifle for the long-distance shot.

Rico Elmore, a former Pennsylvania legislative candidate, was speaking at the rally. He recounted jumping over a barrier to assist a bleeding attendee. “All we know is shots were fired and then I jumped over the barrier and put my hand on the guy’s head that was profusely bleeding,” Elmore said.

Rep. Ronny Jackson, a Texas Republican, told Fox News that his nephew was injured in the shooting, grazed by a bullet on his neck.

Biden was briefed on the situation by top security officials and spoke with Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Butler Mayor Bob Dandoy. “There’s no place in America for this kind of violence – it’s sick,” Biden said before returning to the White House.

Lawmakers across the political spectrum condemned the violence. House Speaker Mike Johnson called the act horrific and emphasized the need for a thorough investigation. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer expressed relief that Trump was safe and condemned political violence.

David Urban, a former Trump campaign adviser, said he spoke with McCormick, who was in the front row at the rally. Urban recounted that after Trump called McCormick onstage, gunshots that sounded like firecrackers were heard. McCormick and others immediately took cover.

McCormick later posted on X that he and his wife, Dina Powell, are praying for Trump and those injured.