A shooting at Donald Trump‘s rally in Butler, Pennsylvania is being investigated as an attempted assassination of the former president and presumptive Republican nominee, law enforcement officials say.
A shooter is dead and an attendee was killed. Two attendees are critically injured. Trump’s campaign says he is “fine” after being whisked off the stage and is being checked out at a local medical facility.
What to know:
- What happened: Trump was showing off a chart of border crossing numbers when a popping sound was heard, and the former president put his right hand up to his right ear. It’s still not clear yet whether Trump was struck by gunfire or was injured as he was pulled to the ground by agents.
- What we know about the shooter: Two officials spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity to discuss the ongoing investigation. They said the shooter was not an attendee at the rally and was killed by U.S. Secret Service agents. Law enforcement recovered an AR-style rifle at the scene, an AP source says.
- Biden’s response: In a televised address, the president said “everybody must condemn” the attack, he is relieved that Trump is reportedly “doing well”. His campaign said it’s pausing all messaging to supporters and is working to pull down all of its television ads as quickly as possible.
A few short minutes after Trump took the stage, shots rang out
At 6:02 pm Saturday, to the strains of “God Bless the U.S.A.,” former President Donald Trump took the stage at fairgrounds in Butler, Pennsylvania, waving at the cheering crowd and settling into his regular rally speech under a scorching midsummer sun.
A few short minutes later, Trump pointed to a projection of a chart that showed a spike in illegal border crossings under the man he’s running against, President Joe Biden. “That chart’s a couple of months old,” Trump told the crowd. “And if you want to see something really sad —”
That’s when the shots rang out, at least five. Trump clutched his ear as dark-suited Secret Service agents dashed toward him. He dropped to the ground as the agents yelled, “Get down!” The thousands of rallygoers packed into the field in front of him moved as one, dropping down as silence spread across the grass, punctuated only by an occasional scream.
▶ Read more about what happened when gunfire erupted at the rally
GOP official describes the chaos at rally
Rico Elmore, vice chairman of the Beaver County Republican Party, was sitting in a section for special guests, facing President Trump, when he heard what sounded like firecrackers.
“So, everyone hesitated — and it was like, no, these are actual shots. So I yelled, ‘Get down!’”
Elmore saw Secret Service agents helping Trump off the stage and then heard someone from his left calling for a medic.
Elmore knows first aid and CPR from his time in the military, and he knew a medic wouldn’t be able to reach the cries for help fast enough.
He took off his tie and jumped a barricade, but when he reached the person, Elmore saw he had been shot in the head. Elmore said he held the victim’s head but it was too late. The man was unresponsive.
“I mean, it was a horror,” Elmore said. “I pray to the family that had to deal with this that is going through this now. Because it is hard. It is so hard.”
He said that the shots came from behind the bleachers but did not see the shooter.
Attorney General Merrick Garland says he has been briefed on the shooting and has briefed Biden
“My heart is with the former President, those injured, and the family of the spectator killed in this horrific attack,” Garland said in a statement.
“We will not tolerate violence of any kind, and violence like this is an attack on our democracy. The Justice Department will bring every available resource to bear to this investigation.”
Trump campaign, RNC say convention in Milwaukee will ‘proceed’ after rally shooting, Trump looks forward to joining
Trump’s campaign and the Republican National Committee say the party’s convention in Milwaukee this week will “proceed” after the rally shooting.
“President Trump looks forward to joining you all in Milwaukee as we proceed with our convention to nominate him to serve as the 47th President of the United States,” said Trump campaign advisers Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita and Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley and co-chair Lara Trump in a statement.
The convention is set to open Monday.
Here’s a look at how U.S. and world leaders are reacting
Notable leaders of all political stripes are repudiating political violence, praising the fast action of the Secret Service and expressing gratitude that the presumptive Republican presidential nominee appears to be OK.
They include former Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, as well as the foundation set up by 99-year-old Jimmy Carter. Senators, House representatives, governors and mayors. Foreign presidents and prime ministers. Billionaire Elon Musk, and the National Rifle Association.
Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., said he spoke to his father on the phone and “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.
▶ Read more about nationwide and world reactions
Law enforcement recovered an AR-style rifle at the scene of the Trump rally shooting, AP source says
Law enforcement recovered an AR-style rifle at the scene, according to a person familiar with the matter. The person was not authorized to discuss details of the investigation.
Mayorkas: Homeland Security ‘taking every possible measure’ to ensure security for campaign after Trump rally shooting
“DHS and the Secret Service are working with law enforcement partners to respond to and investigate the shooting,” Alejandro Mayorkas said in a statement.”
“We are engaged with President Biden, former President Trump, and their campaigns, and are taking every possible measure to ensure their safety and security. Maintaining the security of the Presidential candidates and their campaign events is one of our Department’s most vital priorities.”
Former presidents condemn violence
In addition to a statement from former President Barack Obama, other former presidents have also condemned the violence and expressed gratitude that Trump is safe.
“Violence has no place in America, especially in our political process,” former president Bill Clinton said on X. “Hillary and I are thankful that President Trump is safe, heartbroken for all those affected by the attack at today’s rally in Pennsylvania, and grateful for the swift action of the U.S. Secret Service,” he wrote.
In a statement published by the George W. Bush Presidential Center, Bush said: “Laura and I are grateful that President Trump is safe following the cowardly attack on his life. And we commend the men and women of the Secret Service for their speedy response.”
The Carter Center, the post-White House center established by former President Jimmy Carter, issued a statement saying it “condemns the violence that took place.” The statement added that “our thoughts are with President Trump and all those affected by this horrific act, and we call on all Americans to embrace civility in our democratic process.”
The statement was not issued specifically in Carter’s name. The 99-year-old former president remains under home hospice care in Plains, Georgia.
Couple recounts what the scene was like from the bleachers behind Trump
Chet Jack, a member of the state Republican Party and former Butler County Republican chairman, and his wife Beth were sitting in the bleachers facing Trump when they heard the shots.
Beth ducked after hearing the shots, feeling relieved for a moment when she thought it had ended — then she heard a second round of shots, which she guessed might have been aimed at the shooter.
“I couldn’t see what happened with President Trump, because the minute I heard a shot, I yelled, ‘Everybody get down!’” Beth said. “I knew that was a shot.”
The couple said they were within feet — less than 10 yards — of a man who was shot in the bleachers.
“Right after he got shot, everybody started screaming, ‘Medic!’” Beth said. “It was just hard because so many people were down, and you’re scared to death but at the same point, you want to know that he’s okay. But they did get somebody there right away.”
“There was a lot of blood,” Chet said.
While Beth and the crowd ducked for cover, Chet said he remained standing, looking for the shooter. He said he believed the shots were coming from above, and that ducking wouldn’t protect him.
“You can’t let these guys — these maniacs — terrify you,” he said.
Ivanka Trump: ‘I love you Dad, today and always’
Trump’s eldest daughter Ivanka is thanking people “for your love and prayers for my father and for the other victims of today’s senseless violence in Butler, Pennsylvania,” saying in a post on X that she is “grateful to the Secret Service and all the other law enforcement officers for their quick and decisive actions today. I continue to pray for our country.”
She ended the post saying, “I love you Dad, today and always.”
World leaders react
A spokesperson for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office said in a statement: “We are shocked by the scenes at President Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania. We condemn all forms of political violence in the strongest terms and we send our best wishes to President Trump and his family at this time.”
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on X he was “sickened” by the shooting. “It cannot be overstated — political violence is never acceptable. My thoughts are with former President Trump, those at the event, and all Americans.”
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the incident “concerning and confronting.”
“There is no place for violence in the democratic process,” Albanese wrote in a post on X. “I am relieved to hear reports that former President Trump is now safe.”
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro repudiated the attack and wished Trump a speedy recovery, adding, May God bless the people of the United States and give them peace and tranquility.”
“We have been adversaries, but I wish President Trump health and long life, and I repudiate that attack.”
In a post on X, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: “Sara and I were shocked by the apparent attack on President Trump. We pray for his safety and speedy recovery.”
This appears to be the first assassination attempt since Reagan was shot in 1981
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
The attack, by a shooter who law enforcement officials say was then killed by the Secret Service, was the first attempt to assassinate a president or presidential candidate since Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981.
The perils of campaigning took on a new urgency after the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy in California in 1968, and again in 1972 when Arthur Bremer shot and seriously hurt George Wallace, who was running as an independent on a campaign platform that has sometimes been compared to Trump’s.
That led to increased protection of candidates, even as the threats persisted, notably against Jesse Jackson in 1988 and Barack Obama in 2008.
Presidents, particularly after the assassination of John F. Kennedy in 1963, have even greater layers of security. Trump is a rarity as both a former president and a current candidate.
US Secret Service agents ‘neutralized’ shooter
Multiple shots were fired toward the stage by a shooter at President Trump’s rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, the U.S. Secret Service said, leaving one spectator dead and two critically injured. The agency said the shooter fired from “an elevated position outside of the rally venue.”
Agents “neutralized” the shooter who is now dead. The agency repeated that Trump is “safe” and is being evaluated.
IN PHOTOS: Aftermath of the shooting
JUST IN: Secret Service says one spectator killed, two critically injured after attacker fired ‘multiple shots’ at Trump rally
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Congressional leaders have been briefed on the shooting
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s office said he has been briefed on the latest developments from the shooting in Pennsylvania.
House Speaker Mike Johnson said earlier on social media that he had been briefed by law enforcement.
Trump, in his social media post, also thanked the U.S. Secret Service and law endorsement for their “rapid response” and also extended his 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 said.
JUST IN: Trump says in social media post he was ‘shot with a bullet’ in upper part of right ear, nothing yet known about shooter
Trump says he was “shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear.”
He writes on his Truth Social site that he, “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!”
Pelosi: ‘I know firsthand that political violence of any kind has no place in our society’
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, whose husband Paul Pelosi was badly injured in a home invasion in 2022, condemned the attack in a post on X.
“As one whose family has been the victim of political violence, I know firsthand that political violence of any kind has no place in our society,” she said. “I thank God that former President Trump is safe.”
Harris: ‘Violence such as this has no place in our nation’
Vice President Harris said in a statement she has been briefed on the shooting at Trump’s rally, and that she and her husband, Doug Emhoff, are “relieved that he is not seriously injured.”
“We are praying for him, his family, and all those who have been injured and impacted by this senseless shooting,” said Harris.
“Violence such as this has no place in our nation. We must all condemn this abhorrent act and do our part to ensure that it does not lead to more violence.”
Another rally attendee was taken to the hospital, Butler County district attorney tells CNN
Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger told CNN that in addition to the spectator who was killed, another attendee was taken to a local hospital and in serious condition.
“The shooter is dead,” Goldinger said.
He said the shooter was outside the rally grounds, but he didn’t give additional information about where the shooter was.
“Quite frankly I don’t know how he would have gotten to the location where he was, but he was outside the grounds and I think that’s something that we’re going to have to figure out — how he got there,” Goldinger told CNN.
WATCH: Biden’s full remarks on the Trump rally shooting
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Biden: ‘I have an opinion, but I don’t have any facts’
Biden says he is waiting for additional information before formally calling the attack an attempted assassination on the former president.
“I have an opinion, but I don’t have any facts,” he told reporters, pledging to provide updates as he learns more.
The FBI said in a statement that it was on the scene and working with the Secret Service on the investigation
Biden says ‘everybody must condemn’ the suspected assassination attempt on former President Trump
Biden said he was relieved that Trump is reportedly “doing well.” He pledged to update the public either later Saturday on whether they speak, as well as additional details about the investigation.
Biden: ‘There’s no place in America for this type of violence’
“It’s sick. It’s sick,” he said during a news briefing.
Biden says he has tried to get ahold of Trump but hopes on talking to him shortly.
Biden’s press conference has begun
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Donald Trump Jr. says his father ‘is in great spirits’
Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., says he just spoke to his father on 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,” he said of his father in a statement.
WATCH: Scene after apparent gunfire at rally
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Donald Trump’s campaign said in a statement that he was “fine” after being whisked off the stage at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania after apparent gunshots rang through the crowd. The campaign says he is “being checked out at a local medical facility.”
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, a Democrat, posted on X that he and his staff are in contact with security planning coordinators ahead of the Republican National Convention, which is set to begin Monday in Milwaukee.
“We cannot be a country that accepts political violence of any kind—that is not who we are as Americans,” Evers said, also extending “thoughts” to President Trump and praising first responders.
Biden will be delivering remarks from the White House’s emergency briefing room in Rehoboth Beach, Del., which is set up whenever the president travels to allow him to deliver remarks to the country in a matter of minutes.
Biden campaign to pause TV ads, supporter messaging
After the shooting at Trump’s rally the Biden campaign is pausing all messaging to supporters and is working to pull down all of its television ads as quickly as possible, the campaign said.
JUST IN: Biden to deliver remarks to nation after apparent assassination attempt on Trump
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
JUST IN: Biden says he is ‘grateful’ Trump is doing well after shooting at rally, ‘no place for this kind of violence in America’
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Trump campaign advisor publishes then deletes social media post
Trump campaign senior adviser Chris LaCivita responded to the shooting with a post on X.
“well of course they tried too keep him off the ballot , they tried to put him in jail and now you see this …,” he wrote.
The post was later deleted.
The shooter was engaged by members of the U.S. Secret Service counterassault team and killed, according to two officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the ongoing investigation publication.
The heavily armed tactical team travels everywhere with the president and major party nominees and is meant to confront any active threats while other agents focus on safeguarding and evacuating the protectee.
Obama: ‘There is absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy’
Former President Barack Obama said in a statement, “There is absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy.” He added that while details were still scarce, “we should all be relieved that former President Trump wasn’t seriously hurt, and use this moment to recommit ourselves to civility and respect in our politics.”
JUST IN: Law enforcement officials say shooting at Trump rally is being investigated as attempted assassination of ex-president
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
The shooting at former President Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania is being investigated as an attempted assassination of the former president and presumptive Republican nominee, law enforcement officials say.
Two officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the ongoing investigation publication.
The shooter was not an attendee at the rally and was killed by U.S. Secret Service agents, the official said.
Politicians continue to condemn political violence
- “Political violence is terrifying. I know,” said former Rep. Gabby Giffords, who was shot in the head in 2011 while at a meeting with her constituents. “I’m holding former president Trump, and all those affected by today’s indefensible act of violence in my heart. Political violence is un-American and is never acceptable—never.”
- House Speaker Mike Johnson wrote on social media: “This horrific act of political violence at a peaceful campaign rally has no place in this country and should be unanimously and forcefully condemned.”
- Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont said on X, formally Twitter, that political violence is “absolutely unacceptable” and “I wish Donald Trump and anyone else who may have been hurt, a speedy recovery.”
New York City will increase police presence
A spokesperson for New York Mayor Eric Adams said that out of “an abundance of caution,” the city’s police department will increase its presence across the city, including at Trump Tower and 40 Wall Street.
“While we are surging these resources, we want to be very clear that we see no nexus to NYC at this time,” said Fabien Levy on X. Levy said Adams “has been briefed on the incident involving former President Trump in Pennsylvania & continues to get updates.”
JUST IN: Shooter dead and rally attendee killed at Trump event in Pennsylvania, Butler County district attorney tells AP
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
The White House says Vice President Kamala Harris has received an “initial briefing” on the incident at the Trump rally.
Standard rally security
Secret Service agents and officers, assisted by local law enforcement and the Transportation Security Administration, are meant to screen all attendees as they enter a rally site. The Secret Service also deploys counter-snipers and a counter-assault team with the president and major party nominees to address any threats.
Pennsylvania Republican Senate candidate David McCormick, who was sitting in the front row, told Politico that it appeared someone behind him was shot.
“All the sudden shots started to crack, someone behind me appears to have been shot,” McCormick said. “There’s lots of blood, and then the Secret Service were all over President Trump.”
Trump’s Secret Service protection
Trump, as a former president, retains Secret Service protection for life under federal law. As the presumptive Republican nominee who is frequently in the public eye, he received added protective assets.
Here’s where Trump’s rally was taking place
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
President Biden received an updated briefing on the Trump rally incident from Kimberly Cheatle, the director of the United States Secretary Service, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, and White House homeland security adviser Liz Sherwood-Randall.
Buttigieg calls nation to ‘completely and unequivocally reject all political violence’
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg called this a “horrible moment” in a statement Saturday and said he was encouraged to hear Trump was doing well.
He added that “an entire nation must speak with one voice today to completely and unequivocally reject all political violence.”
IN PHOTOS: Trump rushed off stage
