Former US President Donald Trump’s ear was injured by a bullet fired during a Saturday rally in Pennsylvania. The Secret Service says the suspected shooter and at least one rally attendee are dead.
Multiple gunshots rang out intermittently about ten minutes into Trump’s speech.
Trump ducked under the podium before he was escorted away by Secret Service agents.
The Secret Service posted a message on social media, saying that the former president is safe, and that the person suspected of firing the shots is dead. At least one person attending the rally was killed and two others were seriously injured.
ABC news quoted investigative authorities as saying that the suspect fired 8 rounds from a rifle from the rooftop of a building.
A woman attending the rally said that she heard “a bang-bang that sounded like a firecracker.”
Trump released a statement on social media after the shooting.
Trump thanked the Secret Service and law enforcement for their rapid response. He added that he wants to “extend his condolences to the family of the person at the rally who was killed” as well as those injured.
Trump commented that “It is incredible that such an act can take place in our country” and added that nothing is known at this time about the shooter.
Trump said that a bullet pierced the upper part of his right ear. He said he “knew immediately that something was wrong” when he heard a whizzing sound and shots. He said he noticed bleeding and knew what had happened.
US President Joe Biden strongly condemned the incident. He commented on social media and stressed that that “there is no place for this kind of violence in America. We must unite as one nation to condemn it.”
The White House announced that Biden spoke to Trump after the shooting and that the president has changed his schedule to return to Washington to receive updates on the incident.
Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio posted a condemnation of the shooting of former US president on social media.
Kishida commented, “We must stand firm against any form of violence that challenges democracy. I pray for former President Trump’s speedy recovery.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on social media that he was “shocked by the apparent attack”. The prime minister added that he prays for Trump’s “safety and speedy recovery.”
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer posted on social media that he is “appalled by shocking scenes at President Trump’s rally”. He added that “Political violence in any form has no place in our societies and my thoughts are with all victims of this attack.”