Here’s what we know about the shooting in Pennsylvania that injured former President Donald Trump on Saturday.
Where did it happen?
The shooting took place at a presidential campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, a city in the western part of the state about 35 miles north of Pittsburgh.
What happened?
About six minutes into Trump’s speech, he could be seen clutching his ear after popping noises blared through the rally. Trump ducked to the ground as several Secret Service agents rushed to the stage and surrounded him on all sides. Screams from onlookers rang out as the scene unfolded.
Roughly a minute later, agents helped Trump get up from the ground and stand. He held his fist up to the crowd, prompting cheers from supporters. Several agents rushed Trump off the stage and escorted him into a vehicle.
Blood could be seen on his ear and on the side of his face. He later said on his social media site, Truth Social, that “a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear.”
Trump was talking about President Joe Biden’s policies on immigration when shots were fired.
Is Trump alive?
Trump is safe, a spokesperson for the Secret Service wrote on X, and he is expected to survive.
Was anyone hurt?
Secret Service said in a statement on X that they “neutralized the shooter, who is now deceased.”
“US Secret Service quickly responded with protective measures and the former president is safe and being evaluated,” the statement said. “One spectator was killed, two spectators were critically injured.”
“The incident is currently under investigation and the Secret Service has formally notified the Federal Bureau of investigation,” the statement concluded.
Who is the shooter? What was the motive?
The shooter is dead, Secret Service confirmed on X. The shooter’s identity has not yet been confirmed, but according to four senior U.S. law enforcement officials briefed on the investigation, the shooter was male.
It was not known whether the shooter was acting alone or in coordination with others. It is unclear what the shooter’s motive was.
Where was the shooter? Did the shooter get past security?
Shots were fired from outside the security perimeter established by the Secret Service, three senior law enforcement officials told NBC News.
The information clarifies whether and how a gunman could have gotten a firearm past security and gun-detecting magnetometers at the rally. It appears the shooter did not.
What have we heard from Trump?
Trump posted about the incident on Truth Social.
“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!” he wrote.
He expressed gratitude to the Secret Service and law enforcement for their quick response. He added, “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,” he wrote.
Trump’s presidential campaign is in “complete communications shutdown,” James Blair, political director of the campaign and the Republican National Committee, said in a message sent to campaign staff members.
“Everything is OK,” Blair wrote. “We have no details to share at this time but will follow up soon with more information.”
“Anyone who speaks with the press, even on background or off the record, will be found and terminated immediately,” Blair wrote, according to two people who received the message and shared it with NBC News. “Refrain from commenting, speculating, posting on social media, etc. Complete and total lockdown.”
Blair also urged staff members to “exercise extreme caution during this time” and stressed that their “personal safety is of the utmost importance.”
“Pray, remain vigilant, and be strong,” he said. “We WILL Make America Great Again.”
What have we heard from Trump’s family?
Trump’s eldest daughter, Ivanka Trump, condemned the attack in a statement on X, thanking people for their prayers. “I am grateful to the Secret Service and all the other law enforcement officers for their quick and decisive actions today,” she wrote. “I continue to pray for our country.”
“I love you Dad, today and always,” she added.
Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., said in a statement through his spokesperson that he has spoken to his father over the phone and that he is in “great spirits.” “He will never stop fighting to save America, no matter what the radical left throws at him,” Trump Jr. said
His brother Eric Trump tweeted a picture of his father pumping his fist in the air after the shooting. “This is the fighter America needs!” the post read.
Has Biden responded?
Speaking briefly from Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, Biden said he has been informed about the incident and plans to speak with Trump on Saturday night.
“I tried to get a hold of Donald. He’s with his doctors,” Biden said. “I plan on talking to him, shortly, I hope.” He added that there is “no place in America for this kind of violence.”
“It’s sick. It’s sick. It’s one of the reasons we have to unite this country,” he said. “We cannot condone this.”
Biden said that it appeared Trump was doing well and that he will be getting updates on the incident from federal agencies.
Asked by a reporter whether he believed the scene was an assassination attempt, Biden said, “I have an opinion, but I don’t have all the facts.”
Biden added that he wanted more information before he commented further. The president was made aware of the shooting after coming out of a Catholic mass he was attending in Delaware, according to a source familiar with the matter.
Campaigning has been put on a hold, a campaign official said. The campaign will be “pausing all outbound communications and working to pull down our television ads as quickly as possible,” the official said.
