Former United States President Donald Trump was seen with blood on his ear and cheek as he was rushed off the stage, moments after he was shot at, at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday evening.
The chaotic scene unfolded in front of a stunned audience, capturing the panic and urgency of the moment.
Audio recordings from the event revealed the tension and quick actions taken to ensure Trump’s safety.
Trump was addressing the crowd when several shots were fired. He immediately clasped his ear and ducked as Secret Service agents rushed to his side. “Get down, get down, get down,” one agent ordered. As another shot echoed through the venue, a woman’s scream pierced the air.
The incident occurred at the start of Trump’s rally after a day of intense campaigning for both him and President Joe Biden in the 2024 presidential race. Loud bangs were heard before Trump fell to the ground.
Secret Service agents quickly assisted him, and he was seen with blood on his face as he was escorted off the stage and evacuated from the scene.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) identified the shooter as Thomas Matthew Crooks. Crooks, who was registered as a Republican voter, was armed with an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle.
Witnesses reported seeing him before the shooting and alerted authorities. Positioned on the roof of a building approximately 130 yards from the stage, Crooks was shot dead by Secret Service agents after the attack.
Meanwhile, Trump has reacted to the failed assasination on social media, revealing that the bullet hit his upper ear. He also expressed his condolences to the victims of the attack while thanking the secret service and other law enforcement agencies.
