Fiona Nanna, ForeMedia News

5 minutes read. Updated 3:55AM GMT Sun, 14 July, 2024

Former U.S. President Donald Trump was abruptly rushed off stage during a rally in Pennsylvania after gunfire erupted, leading to what authorities have described as an attempted assassination. The incident unfolded in Butler County, a crucial swing state in the upcoming election.

Gunfire Disrupts Rally

Footage from the rally captures Trump wincing and raising his hand to his right ear before ducking as multiple gunshots rang out. US Secret Service agents quickly swarmed Trump, escorting him off the stage to a waiting vehicle. Despite the chaos, Trump managed to raise a fist as he was ushered into the car.

In a post on his Truth Social network, Trump detailed his harrowing experience, revealing that a bullet had pierced the “upper part” of his right ear. His spokesperson assured the public that Trump was “fine” and receiving treatment at a local medical center.

Eyewitness Accounts

Witnesses reported hearing a series of shots and seeing blood on Trump’s ear and face as he was hurried away by protection officers. Anthony Guglielmi, spokesperson for the US Secret Service, confirmed that the suspect was shot dead at the scene. One bystander was killed and two others were critically injured during the shooting.

Law enforcement sources disclosed that the male attacker had been armed with a rifle and fired from an elevated structure a few hundred meters away from the venue. The attack is being treated as an assassination attempt.

Political and Public Reactions

The incident prompted widespread condemnation from political figures. Speaking from Delaware, President Joe Biden deplored the attack, emphasizing that “there’s no place in America for this kind of violence.” Former President Barack Obama also condemned the violence, expressing relief that Trump was not seriously hurt. Trump’s former Vice-President Mike Pence and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries joined in denouncing the attack and praising law enforcement’s response.

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer expressed his shock at the attack, stating that political violence has no place in society. He extended his thoughts to all victims of the attack, underscoring the importance of maintaining democratic values.

Witnesses Recall the Chaos

Eyewitness Greg Smith recounted spotting a suspicious individual with a rifle on a rooftop minutes before the shots were fired. Despite alerting the police, it took several minutes for the authorities to respond. Another witness, Jason, described hearing five shots in quick succession and seeing the Secret Service leap into action to protect Trump.

Tim, another attendee, mentioned a “barrage” of shots and initially mistaking a spray of liquid for a fire hose, only to realize it was the result of gunfire. Photos from the event showed the chaos that ensued as attendees dropped to the ground and Secret Service agents worked to secure the area.

The incident has raised significant questions about security measures at such events. Smith criticized the lack of Secret Service presence on rooftops surrounding the rally, calling it a “100% security failure.” Guglielmi assured that measures for Trump’s protection were in place and that an active investigation was underway to determine how the attack was orchestrated.

Trump was expected to accept the Republican nomination for president at the upcoming convention in Milwaukee and potentially announce his running mate at the Butler rally. The incident has added tension to an already heated election campaign, with Trump and Biden locked in a close contest.

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