A male assailant has been shot dead by members of the Secret Service after attacking Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump.
Mr. Trump said the bullet hit him in the ear and felt like the bullet went through his skin.
According to the Secret Service, another person was shot dead and two others were seriously injured in the incident.
At a gathering in Pennsylvania Mr. An ‘apparently lethal attack’ was attempted on Trump.
In a video, Mr. Trump was sitting on the floor reading and then stood up with blood on one side of his face.
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris strongly condemned the attack.
Meanwhile, in a post given after the incident, the former president Mr. Trump thanked the Secret Service and other law enforcement agencies for their swift action. He also expressed his condolences to the family of the deceased.
Mr. “This kind of violence has no place in America,” Biden said. It’s disgusting, disgusting. I want to make sure we have all the information.”
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In a statement Mr. “I have been informed of the shooting at a Donald Trump rally in Pennsylvania,” Biden said.
I am grateful to hear that he is safe and well. I am praying for him and his family and everyone who was at the gathering. Jill and I are grateful to the Secret Service for ensuring his safety.”
The suspect and a bystander were killed
The suspect in the incident at the Trump rally was killed. Another person in the rally was also killed.
Local District Attorney General Richard Goldinger confirmed this information to the AP news agency and local media.
BBC affiliate CBS in the US also reported that the Secret Service had taken action against the suspect.
Person shot on roof of building
A witness told the BBC he was outside the rally and could only hear what the former president was saying. Then a person on the roof came to his attention.
“We noticed it moving onto the roof of the building next to us, 50 feet away,” said the man, Greig.
“He had a rifle, we could clearly see that there was a rifle,” he said.
“I was wondering why Trump is still giving speeches. Why is he not being taken off the stage? I was standing looking at him. Then five gunshots”.
However, the BBC could not fully verify this eyewitness account.
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Unbelievable event
Two other witnesses, Jane and Theresa, attended the gathering in Butler County.
They told BBC News they heard six to eight gunshots.
“I heard a loud noise, and after a while two more noises. I knew right away that it was gunshots…people started running within 30-45 seconds,” Theresa said.
They, however, said they did not see anyone injured.
But then Secret Service members brought people out.
What more is known so far
Donald Trump was speaking at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Five minutes into the speech, gunshots were heard.
Within seconds Secret Service members Mr. surrounded Trump. Blood was seen in his ear and on one side of his face.
He is seen raising his fists towards the sky while being taken down from the stage and taken to the car.
Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said the president is safe and the incident is under investigation by the Secret Service.
Donald Trump’s campaign says the former president is ‘doing well’.
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Republicans responded
Many politicians of the Republican Party reacted strongly to the incident. These include Senator Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas, Guy Reschenthaler and Tim Barchett. The social media X star posted – ‘Pray for Trump’.
“I am praying for President Trump. Hope everyone joins me,” wrote former Speaker Kevin McCarthy on X.
“God bless the President and his family,” wrote Congressman Andy Biggs.
“Please pray for President Trump, his family and all the patriots attending the rally,” wrote House Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik of New York.