Panic at Trump Rally: Gunfire Erupts, Shooter Killed

Gunfire broke out at a Donald Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, causing chaos. Trump was spattered with blood but emerged safely. The shooter was killed, and the Secret Service is investigating the incident as an assassination attempt. Trump and Biden condemned the violence, stressing unity against such acts.

Gunfire erupted at a Donald Trump rally on Saturday, sparking panic in the crowd and leaving the Republican presidential candidate spattered with blood. Emerging with his fist pumped in the air, Trump appeared to mouth the words 'Fight! Fight! Fight!' The shooter was killed, and the incident is being investigated as an assassination attempt by the Secret Service, according to a source's statement to Reuters.

As the shots rang out, Trump grabbed his right ear with his right hand, glanced at it, and then dropped to his knees behind the podium before being swarmed by Secret Service agents. He reemerged about a minute later, his red 'Make America Great Again' hat knocked off, and could be heard saying 'wait, wait' before agents ushered him into a waiting vehicle. The Secret Service and Trump’s campaign confirmed his safety following the shooting, which took place in Butler, Pennsylvania, about 30 miles north of Pittsburgh.

Live video showed blood on Trump's right cheek and ear. An audience member was also killed, and another person was critically injured, reported a Washington Post journalist on social media, citing the Butler County district attorney.

The shooter’s identity and motive were unclear. Republicans and Democrats quickly condemned the violence. The incident occurred less than four months before the Nov. 5 election, where Trump faces a rematch with Democratic President Joe Biden.

'President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act. He is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility. More details will follow,' spokesperson Steven Cheung said. Trump had just started his speech when gunfire erupted, sending him and attendees to the ground. Secret Service agents surrounded him, and Trump disappeared behind the podium before being rushed to a waiting vehicle.

Trump and Biden are neck-and-neck in the upcoming election, with most polls showing them evenly matched. In a statement, Biden said, 'There’s no place for this kind of violence in America. We must unite as one nation to condemn it.'

Ron Moose, a Trump supporter at the rally, described the chaos: 'I heard about four shots, then saw the crowd go down, and Trump ducked quickly. The Secret Service jumped in to protect him almost instantly.' Moose saw a man running and being chased by officers. He heard additional shots but couldn’t identify the shooter. Snipers were seen on a warehouse roof near the event.

The BBC interviewed an eyewitness, who saw a man with a rifle crawling on a roof near the event, trying to alert security. 'I thought, why is Trump still speaking? Next thing you know, five shots rang out,' said the man in a red Trump hat.

REPUBLICANS, DEMOCRATS CONDEMN VIOLENCE. Trump is set to receive his party's formal nomination at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee on Monday.

'This horrific act of political violence at a peaceful campaign rally has no place in this country and should be unanimously condemned,' Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson said. Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer expressed horror and relief that Trump was safe. 'Political violence has no place in our country,' he added.

A Secret Service spokesperson confirmed, 'Protective measures have been implemented, and the former president is safe ... This is now an active Secret Service investigation.' CNN reported Trump was injured but did not provide specifics.

The venue was abandoned, with overturned chairs and police tape around the stage. Helicopters hovered overhead, and law enforcement officers were patrolling the area. Biden’s campaign halted television ads and outbound communication following the incident.

Trump, who served as president from 2017-2021, secured the Republican nomination early and has largely unified the party, despite controversies surrounding the Capitol attack on Jan. 6, 2021. He faces various legal challenges, including criminal prosecutions and a recent Supreme Court decision granting partial immunity in some cases.