PHOTOS: Shots fired at Trump rally, former president injured, spectator killed
Jul 14, 2024, 7:33 AM | Updated: Jul 15, 2024, 10:55 am
Republican presidential candidate, former U.S. President Donald Trump is whisked away by Secret Service after shots rang out at a campaign rally at Butler Farm Show Inc. on July 13, 2024 in Butler, Pennsylvania. Trump slumped and injuries were visible to the side of his head. Butler County district attorney Richard Goldinger said the shooter and one audience member are dead and another was injured. (Jeff Swensen/Getty Images)
(Jeff Swensen/Getty Images)
BUTLER, Pa. — Officials billed a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on Saturday as former President Donald Trump’s final campaign event before the GOP national convention next week.
Organizers said they expected thousands of people to show up and support the presumptive GOP presidential nominee.
Related: Utah leaders respond to shooting at Trump rally
It was friendly territory. A local CBS television station said Butler County showed strong support for the former president. The station reported that Trump received two-thirds of the county’s votes in both 2016 and 2020.
Supporters seek shade while waiting in 92 degree weather for the start of a campaign rally for Republican presidential candidate, former U.S. President Donald Trump at Butler Farm Show Inc. on July 13, 2024 in Butler, Pennsylvania. (Jeff Swensen/Getty Images)
It was this supportive scene that preceded what the Secret Service is now calling an assassination attempt on the former president, just about two minutes after he began his speech.
Just two minutes into rally, shots rang out
Shots rang out as Trump began discussing immigration charts. Video from the rally showed Trump moving his hand to his ear, ducking, and then disappearing from the camera’s view.
Secret Service agents tend to Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump onstage after he was grazed by a bullet at a rally on July 13, 2024 in Butler, Pennsylvania. (Anna Moneymaker /Getty Images)
The shots continued.
Audience members duck in the crowd during a shooting attempt at a campaign rally for Republican presidential candidate, former U.S. President Donald Trump at Butler Farm Show Inc. on July 13, 2024 in Butler, Pennsylvania. (Jeff Swensen/Getty Images)
What looked to be Secret Service agents quickly surrounded former President Trump as did at least two heavily armed men. After a few moments, the former president returned to his feet.
Secret Service agents surround Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump onstage after he was injured at a rally on July 13, 2024 in Butler, Pennsylvania. (Jeff Swensen/Getty Images)
Another few moments passed before Trump and the crowd of agents began moving. Trump pumped his fist into the air, and the crowd screamed back, chanting “USA, USA.” The Secret Service quickly whisked the former president into a black SUV.
Later on social media, the former president said he’d been “shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear,” according to the Associated Press.
The Trump campaign issued a statement thanking law enforcement for their quick actions.
Multiple shots fired toward Trump stage during rally
The Associated Press reported a shooter fired multiple shots toward the stage while the former president was speaking on Saturday.
Secret Service agents surround Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump onstage after he was injured at a rally on July 13, 2024 in Butler, Pennsylvania. (Jeff Swensen/Getty Images)
One spectator died and two others were injured, the Associated Press reported later.
The Associated Press also reported that the shooter fired from “an elevated position, outside the rally venue.”
The Secret Service counterassault team killed the shooter, reported the Associated Press, which also reported that a rooftop believed to be the location of the shooter was 164 yards away from the Trump stage.
This story may be updated.
