BUTLER, Pa. — Former president Donald Trump was rushed offstage from a campaign rally here on Saturday evening, where a shooting left two other people dead, authorities said. A Trump campaign spokesman said Trump was taken to a medical facility but is “fine.”
Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger said two people are dead, including one audience member and one person who was an apparent shooter. Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi confirmed in a statement that there was “an incident” at the rally and said that Trump is now safe. He offered no other details about what happened or about Trump’s condition.
“President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act. He is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility. More details will follow,” Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung said in a statement.
Minutes into his remarks here, Trump appeared to touch his right ear and then duck after the first of several pops, which sent the crowd into a panic. The former president was not visible for a time as security rushed to his aid, but he later he could be seen standing onstage with security surrounding him. The crowd cheered as officers moved with Trump offstage.
Trump held his fist up while walking off with assistance. One side of his face had what appeared to be blood on it.
A Washington Post photographer observed what appeared to be blood on the riser behind Trump.
President Biden received an initial briefing on the incident at Trump’s rally, according to the White House. Biden, who was at church in Delaware during the shooting, has returned to his residence.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) said he has been briefed on the situation and that state police are at the site. “Violence targeted at any political party or political leader is absolutely unacceptable,” Shapiro said in a statement. “It has no place in Pennsylvania or the United States.”
Authorities on-site evacuated the crowd. A Department Homeland Security officer at the rally told a Washington Post reporter covering the event that there were gunshots.
National and world leaders quickly weighed in with horror at what unfolded and offered well-wishes for Trump.
“I am horrified by what happened at the Trump rally in Pennsylvania and relieved that former President Trump is safe,” said Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) in a statement. “Political violence has no place in our country.”
Josh Dawsey and Matt Viser contributed to this report.
