Former President Donald Trump was injured on Saturday evening during his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, in what the FBI describes as an assassination attempt.
According to the Secret Service, the gunman and at least one audience member were killed, and two other attendees are critically injured.
Trump stated on social media that he was shot in the “upper part of my right ear.” The Secret Service confirmed the former president is safe after being rushed off the stage with blood on his face.
Also Read: NLC secures injunction against CETAG’s strike
The FBI has identified the gunman as Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. Authorities reported that he fired multiple shots from a building rooftop near the rally venue before being killed by Secret Service agents.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as “bloody” and chaotic. “It’s pure insanity,” said one rally attendee.
President Joe Biden spoke with Trump after the incident, denounced the violence in remarks Saturday night, and stated earlier that he is “grateful” Trump is safe.
Biden, who had planned to stay in Delaware for the weekend, returned to the White House earlier than scheduled to continue receiving briefings from law enforcement.