Donald Trump was shot in the ear during a campaign rally on Saturday, resulting in a bloodied face and a quick response from his security agents.
The incident occurred in Butler, Pennsylvania, about 30 miles north of Pittsburgh, and left one rally attendee dead and two other spectators injured.
The Secret Service, which is investigating the attack as an assassination attempt, reported that the shooter is also dead.
The suspected shooter has been tentatively identified, but authorities have not released the name or motive. Trump, who is running for the presidency in a rematch against President Joe Biden, was shot shortly after starting his speech. He was seen grabbing his right ear, bleeding profusely, and then dropping to his knees before being surrounded by Secret Service agents. Despite the injury, Trump emerged shortly after, pumping his fist in the air and mouthing “Fight! Fight! Fight!” before being escorted to a black SUV.
On his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump confirmed that he was shot in the upper part of his right ear and experienced significant bleeding. His campaign later stated that he was “doing well.”
The incident has raised concerns about security lapses by the Secret Service. It marks the first shooting of a U.S. president or major party candidate since the attempted assassination of President Ronald Reagan in 1981. Following the attack, President Biden condemned the violence, emphasizing that such acts have no place in America. Similarly, Republican leaders, including House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, decried the violence.
The FBI has taken over the investigation, and preliminary reports suggest the shots came from outside the secured area. The suspect has been identified as a 20-year-old Pennsylvania man. Trump, who is expected to receive his party’s nomination at the Republican National Convention, was transported to Bedminster, New Jersey, following the attack.
Witnesses described hearing multiple shots and seeing Trump quickly duck for cover. The incident has heightened fears of political violence in the U.S., with recent polls indicating that many Americans worry about potential violence surrounding the upcoming election. Some Republican allies of Trump have suggested that the attack may have been politically motivated, urging an end to incendiary rhetoric.