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Trump Grazed in Campaign Rally Shooting That Killed Rally Attendee; Secret Service Kills Shooter
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Law Enforcement Investigating “Attempted Assassination”: Associated Press

Former President Donald Trump was grazed by a bullet at a campaign rally Saturday afternoon in deep red Butler, Pennsylvania.

A rally attendee, however, was killed, Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger told the Washington Post.

Live video showed Trump reach for his right ear before Secret Service agents rushed to protect him, taking the ex-president to the floor of the stage and then whisking him away to his motorcade outside the venue. Trump raised a trademark fist in the air as the agents took him away, a smear of blood on his ear and across his cheek.

Trump said in a post on his social media platform Truth Social that he was “shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear,” the New York Times said.

Trump’s full statement said:

“I want to thank The United States Secret Service, and all of Law Enforcement, for their rapid response on the shooting that just took place in Butler, Pennsylvania. Most importantly, I want to extend my condolences to the family of the person at the Rally who was killed, and also to the family of another person that was badly injured. It is incredible that such an act can take place in our Country. Nothing is known at this time about the shooter, who is now dead. I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear. 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. GOD BLESS AMERICA!”

Secret Service agents killed a suspect shooter, the Wall Street Journal said.

Little information about the shooting itself was immediately available. The FBI joined other federal agencies to investigate the apparent assassination attempt. The According to the Associated Press, Goldinger said the shooter was outside the rally grounds.

President Joe Biden issued a statement after he was briefed on the incident.

“I’m grateful to hear that he’s safe and doing well,” he said. “I’m praying for him and his family and for all those who were at the rally, as we wait for further information.”

In remarks delivered shortly after the statement, Biden said he hoped to speak with Trump later tonight and reiterated that “there is no place in America for this kind of violence.”

“It’s sick,” the president said.

The White House also said the president was pausing his television ads and supporter messaging in the wake of the shooting.

Authorities began evacuating the venue after Trump was taken away, the Times said. Yellow crime scene tape was put up on the left side of the stage.

Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said in a statement that the former president “is safe” following “an incident.” In a second statement, he added that two spectators were “critically injured.”

US Secret Service

Democrats quickly stepped up to condemn political violence, including Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who was the target of a kidnapping plot.

“There is no place for political violence in this country, period,” she said. “This is not how we solve our differences.”

“There is absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy,” former President Barack Obama said. “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.”

“My thoughts and prayers are with former President Trump,” said Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, the House Minority Leader. “I am thankful for the decisive law enforcement response. America is a democracy. Political violence of any kind is never acceptable.”

Republicans called for prayers.

“Pray for Donald J. Trump. Pray for the United States of America,” South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem said. “He’s the toughest man I’ve ever met. Nobody’s been through what he’s been through. May swift justice be brought against his evil attacker.”

“Praying for President Trump and all those attending the rally in Pennsylvania today.” Florida Sen. Marco Rubio said.

House Speaker Mike Johnson said he was “praying for President Trump.”

Georgia’s Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene blamed Democrats and the media “for every drop of blood spilled today.”

Trump campaign senior adviser Chris LaCivita blamed an unnamed “they” in a post on X.com that he later deleted.

“well of course they tried too keep him off the ballot , they tried to put him in jail and now you see this …,” he wrote, according to The Associated Press.

This is a developing story. Check back for more information.

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[Featured image: AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar]