Key Points
- Donald Trump’s spokesperson says he is doing “fine” after shots were fired at his campaign rally in Pennsylvania.
- The former US president was treated at a medical facility after appearing with a bloodied ear on stage.
- Two people who attended the rally are dead, including the shooter, US media is reporting.
The United States Secret Service confirmed Crooks, who fired multiple shots at the campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, was killed at the event.
Donald Trump was bundled into a car by Secret Service agents after the shooting at his campaign rally. Source: AAP / Gene J. Puskar/AP
Special agent in charge of the FBI’s Pittsburgh field office Kevin Rojek said authorities had not yet identified a motive.
After leaving a medical facility for treatment for his injuries, Trump was later seen disembarking from a plane with a heavy security detail.
What do we know about the shooter?
Records show the 20-year-old was registered as a Republican voter in Pennsylvania, but federal campaign finance reports also show he gave $US15 ($22) to a progressive political action committee in 2021, the day US President Joe Biden was sworn into office, Associated Press reports.
The Secret Service said the shooter fired shots from an elevated position outside the rally venue.
Secret Service members shielded Donald Trump after shots were fired. Source: Getty / Getty Images
Law enforcement recovered an AR-style rifle at the scene, according to the Associated Press.
The BBC interviewed a man who described himself as an eyewitness, saying he saw a man armed with a rifle crawling up a roof near the event. The person told the BBC he and the people he was with started pointing at the man, trying to alert security.
Who is investigating the Trump rally shooting?
Republican US House speaker Mike Johnson said the House will also conduct a full investigation of the attack, adding: “The American people deserve to know the truth.”
Secret Service members shielded Donald Trump and assisted him offstage after shots were fired at the rally. Source: AAP / Gene J Puskar/AP
Joe Biden says ‘no place for this violence’ after Trump shooting
“It is one of the reasons we have to unite this country. We cannot allow for this to be happening, we cannot be like this, we cannot condone this.”
Witnesses described the incident saying many people went down to the ground amid confusion about what was happening.
Donald Trump raised his fist in the air while being held by Secret Service agents. Source: AAP
“I heard the shots, it sounded like between firecrackers and a small calibre handgun,” said John Yeykal from Franklin, Pennsylvania, who was attending his first Trump rally.
A statement from the Trump campaign said the former president was doing well after the incident and “looks forward to joining you all in Milwaukee as we proceed with our convention to nominate him to serve as the 47th President of the United States”.
World leaders condemn ‘political violence’
French President Emmanuel Macron described the incident as “a tragedy for our democracies”.
Indian leader Narendra Modi also offered his well wishes.
Former US presidential candidate Bernie Sanders said political violence was “absolutely unacceptable” and wished Trump, and others who may have been hurt, a speedy recovery.
Republican minority leader Mitch McConnell added: “Tonight, all Americans are grateful that President Trump appears to be fine after a despicable attack on a peaceful rally. Violence has no place in our politics.”