A harrowing assault landed former U.S. President and Republican Party luminary Donald Trump squarely in the sights of an assailant during a charged election rally in Pennsylvania's Butler. As Trump engaged the audience, a volley of gunfire was directed towards him, prompting him to reflexively cover his right ear and lower himself. A palpable sense of panic swept the crowd, setting off a stampede. Agile Secret Service agents immediately enveloped Trump in a protective cocoon.
In the chilling video that subsequently surfaced, Trump could be seen addressing the rally. Then, in rapid succession, the sharp crack of gunfire cut through the air. With the shout of 'Move! Move!' from Secret Service agents cutting through the turmoil, Trump was seen pressing his hand to his ear and quickly ducking down, his security detail quickly closing ranks around him.
Blood could be seen on his face
In those fraught moments, blood was evident on Trump's face and beneath his ear - a stark testimony to the violence of the scene. He then emerged with a defiant clenched fist, mouthing words to the crowd. In the immediate aftershock, Secret Service agents briskly whisked him offstage and into a vehicle for rapid evacuation.
Source: aajtak
Post the incident, Trump issued a statement thanking the United States Secret Service and all law enforcement agencies for their quick reaction to the gunfire in Butler, Pennsylvania. He expressed condolences to the family of the person who was killed at the rally, and his sympathies to the family of another who was injured. 'It's hard to believe such an act could happen in our country,' Trump said, revealing he sustained a bullet wound above his right ear. 'I realized immediately something was wrong when I heard the sound of the bullet and felt it pass by, grazing the skin. There was so much blood. God bless America!' he proclaimed.
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"This was a horrendous event. My prayers go out to the family coping with this ordeal. It was an extremely difficult circumstance," said a witness who observed the shooting happen from behind the bleachers. However, they did not see the shooter.
The Secret Service released a statement noting the assailant fired multiple rounds towards the stage from a high vantage point outside the rally venue. The agents neutralized the threat on-site. The full statement from the Secret Service reads: "On the evening of July 13, around 6:15 PM, during former President Trump's campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, a suspected shooter fired multiple rounds toward the stage from an elevated position outside the venue. U.S. Secret Service personnel took down the shooter. The Secret Service immediately took protective measures, and former President Trump is safe. One spectator died, and two more are severely injured. The incident is currently under investigation, and the Secret Service has informed the FBI."
