Donald Trump was rushed off stage with blood on his head and ear after an apparent assassination attempt during his rally in Pennsylvania on July 13.
United States Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi confirmed that Trump is currently "safe" following the incident, and two senior law enforcement officials informed NBC News that the former president is expected to survive.
An incident occurred the evening of July 13 at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania. The Secret Service has implemented protective measures and the former President is safe. This is now an active Secret Service investigation and further information will be released when available.
— Anthony Guglielmi (@SecretSvcSpox) July 13, 2024
Around 6:15 p.m., a suspected shooter fired multiple shots at the rally’s stage from an "elevated position" outside the venue, Guglielmi stated on X. The Secret Service neutralized the shooter, who subsequently died.
One spectator was killed, and two were critically injured, Guglielmi said in the statement.
During Trump's speech, popping noises began resonating through the crowd, causing the former president to reach for his ear before quickly ducking behind the podium. Blood appeared on his face.
Agents from his protective detail rushed the stage as screams erupted from the crowd. The popping noises persisted while agents attended to Trump on stage.
The crowd cheered when Trump stood up and pumped his fist in the air.
Hours after the shooting, Trump shared a message on Truth Social, revealing he was shot in the right ear.
"I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear. I immediately knew something was wrong as I heard a whizzing sound and felt the bullet tearing through the skin. There was significant bleeding, and I realized what was happening. GOD BLESS AMERICA!" he wrote.
Trump thanked the Secret Service and law enforcement, adding, "Most importantly, I extend my condolences to the family of the person killed at the rally and to the family of the person critically injured."
Law enforcement identified the shooter as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. The motive for the shooting remains unclear.
Trump’s presidential campaign stated Saturday evening that the former president is "fine" and is being evaluated at a local medical facility.
"President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their swift action during this heinous act," the campaign stated.
The campaign did not provide further details but promised more information to follow.
Shortly after the shooting, Guglielmi reiterated on X that "the former President is safe."
"The Secret Service has implemented protective measures, and the former President is safe. This is now an active Secret Service investigation, and further information will be released when available," the statement read.
There is growing concern among law enforcement that this may have been a serious attempt on Trump’s life, two senior U.S. law enforcement officials told NBC News on Saturday.
Three senior law enforcement sources confirmed to NBC News that shots were fired from outside the venue and Secret Service’s security perimeters.
Senior U.S. law enforcement officials also told NBC News that the suspected shooter is male. However, officials did not provide additional information about the shooter's identity or motivation.
President Joe Biden condemned "political violence" on Saturday evening, noting that he had attempted to contact Trump but had not yet spoken to him.
“There’s no place for this kind of violence. It’s sick,” Biden said. “It’s one of the reasons why we have to unite this country. We cannot allow this to happen. We cannot be like this.”
Later, a White House official told NBC News that Biden had made contact with Trump.
Biden is expected to provide an updated briefing from the Department of Homeland Security and law enforcement officials on July 14.
NBC News reported that Donald Trump Jr. said he spoke to his father and noted 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 in a statement through his spokesman to NBC News.
Eric Trump shared a photo on X of his father holding his fist in the air, blood on his face, with an American flag in the background.
"This is the fighter America needs!" he wrote.
Ivanka Trump also posted on X, expressing gratitude for the love and prayers for her father and the other victims of the day’s violence in Butler, Pennsylvania. She thanked the Secret Service and law enforcement for their quick actions and added, "I love you Dad, today and always."