Former President Trump's rally on Saturday abruptly ended after gunshots rang out while he was speaking in Butler, Pa.
Less than 10 minutes into his speech as Trump spoke about immigration, gunshots rang out, with the former president then seen holding his right ear.
Trump immediately dropped down beflow the lectern as Secret Service agents swarmed on top of him amid audible screams from the crowd. Agents led Trump off stage while surrounding his entire body.
The Secret Service said in a statement that the former president was safe and the incident was being investigated.
In a statement, Trump's campaign said he was "fine" and being checked at a medical facility.
"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," Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung said in a statement.
Before he was escorted off stage, Trump could be seen pumping his fist in the air, with the crowd cheering.
President Biden said in a statement that he had received a briefing on the shooting and was "grateful to hear that [Trump is] safe and doing well."
"I’m praying for him and his family and for all those who were at the rally, as we await further information," Biden said in the statement released by the White House.
"Jill and I are grateful to the Secret Service for getting him to safety. There’s no place for this kind of violence in America. We must unite as one nation to condemn it," he added.
Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger told The Associated Press that both the suspected shooter and one person attending the rally were dead.
The shooting occurred just days before the start of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee on Monday.
The former president was visiting the battleground state of Pennsylvania, where he was slated to deliver remarks at Butler Farm Show Inc., situated a less than hours-drive north of Pittsburgh.
Just minutes into the beginning of speech, Trump directed his campaign to display a chart regarding immigration levels, asking the crowd if it was OK to go off teleprompter.
"So that arrow is the lowest amount of illegal immigration ever in recorded history into our country, and then -- and then the worst president in the history of our country took over," Trump said as he looked over at the projected chart.
"And look what happened to our country – probably 20 million people," he continued.
"And you know, that's a little bit old, that chart. That chart's a couple of months old. And if you want to really see something this sad, take a look at what happened," he added before shots rang out.
Trump grabbed his ear before voices shouted "Get down! Get down! Get down!" amid screams from the crowd. Secret Service agents raised him up, surrounding him, roughly a minute after Trump had taken cover. Trump could be heard in footage saying "let me get my shoes."
Photos also showed Trump with blood streaming from his right ear down to his cheek.
As agents wrapped themselves around Trump, the former president faced the crowded and offered a fist bump – prompting cheers from the crowd. The crowd chanted "USA!" as he stepped off the stage.
Democrats and Republicans on both sides of the aisle immediately condemned the violence and offered prayers and well wishes for Trump.
"Tonight, all Americans are grateful that President Trump appears to be fine after a despicable attack on a peaceful rally. Violence has no place in our politics. We appreciate the swift work of the Secret Service and other law enforcement," said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.).
"I am horrified by what happened at the Trump rally in Pennsylvania and relieved that former President Trump is safe," wrote Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY.). "Political violence has no place in our country."
Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) also wrote in a post on X that he had been briefed on the incident.
"Violence targeted at any political party or political leader is absolutely unacceptable. It has no place in Pennsylvania or the United States," he wrote. "I have been briefed on the situation. @PAStatePolice are on the scene in Butler County and working with our federal and local."
The Hill has reached out to Butler, Pa. Police and Pennsylvania State Police for further comment.
Updated: 8:10 p.m.
