NEW YORK – Former U.S. President Donald Trump was grazed by a bullet in the ear during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday.
The assailant and at least one civilian were killed in the incident, and two other attendees were injured. According to investigators, the shooter fired multiple shots from an elevated position outside the rally venue before being neutralized by Secret Service agents.
The attacker had taken a position on a nearby rooftop, gaining a clear view of Trump. Video footage shows the former president being swiftly escorted away by security personnel, with visible blood on his face.
Attendees described the rally as chaotic, with many initially mistaking the gunfire for fireworks. A spokesperson for Trump confirmed that he was doing fine, having been grazed by a bullet on the upper part of his right ear.
In response to the incident, federal agencies, including the FBI, are investigating the shooting as a potential assassination attempt. President Joe Biden spoke with Trump after the attack, expressing relief that he was unharmed and condemning the violence. “There’s no place in America for this kind of violence,” Biden stated, calling for national unity.
Politicians, celebrities, and social media users from around the world have condemned the shooting and expressed their condolences to the victims.