Former United States President Donald Trump was shot in the ear during a campaign rally, an attack condemned by leading Republicans and Democrats and being investigated as an assassination attempt.
The shooting on Saturday left blood streaking across Trump’s face and caused panic among the thousands of attendees at the rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Trump’s campaign stated that the Republican presidential candidate was “doing well” after the incident, with the former leader noting that the bullet pierced the upper part of his right ear. Authorities reported that at least one spectator was killed and two others critically wounded.
The Secret Service confirmed that it shot the suspected assailant dead.
The shooting occurred shortly after Trump, 78, began his speech. The former president grabbed his right ear with his hand, then looked at it before dropping to his knees behind the podium. Secret Service agents quickly surrounded him, and he re-emerged, pumping his fist in the air and appearing to mouth the words “Fight! Fight! Fight!”
He was then quickly escorted off the stage and into a vehicle.
“I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear,” Trump said on his Truth Social platform following the shooting. “Much bleeding took place.”
The FBI called the attack an “assassination attempt” and said it had taken the lead in investigating the case.
Kevin Rojek, a spokesman for the agency, said officials have identified the shooter, but would not release details. He added that a motive was not immediately clear.
US President Joe Biden was quick to condemn the attack via a tweet.
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