DONALD Trump said he was shot and felt the bullet rip through his skin as he broke his silence on the suspected assassination attempt against him at a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday.
Trump said he immediately knew something was wrong and hit the deck after a bullet pierced the upper part of his right ear.
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The former president thanked US Secret Service and law enforcement officials for their swift response to the gunfire that erupted at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, about 33 miles north of Pittsburgh.
“I want to thank The United States Secret Service, and all of Law Enforcement for their rapid response on the shooting that just took place in Butler, Pennsylvania,” Trump wrote on Truth Social hours after the shooting.
“Most importantly, I want to extend my condolences to the family of the person at the Rally who was killed, and also to the family of another person that was badly injured.
“It is incredible that such an act can take place in our Country. Nothing is known at this time about the shooter, who is now dead.
“I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear. I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin.
“Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening. GOD BLESS AMERICA!”
Gunfire erupted at around 6:15 pm, minutes after Trump began his remarks at a campaign event in Butler.
Shocking video showed the moment gunshots were heard being fired as Trump was seen grimacing, grabbing his ear, and hitting the deck.
Secret Service agents rushed to the stage, forming a human shield around the former president.
Blood was seen pouring from Trump’s right ear as he raised his fist to the crowd before being whisked away from the stage by federal agents.
Nathan Rybner, a Republican committeeman from Erie County, Pennsylvania, said he was sitting in a section of seats to the right of where Trump was standing onstage and heard a series of loud pops that sounded like firecrackers.
“I heard what I thought was firecrackers. It did not sound like a typical gunshot,” Rybner told The New York Times.
‘ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT’
The Secret Service is treating the shooting as a possible assassination attempt on Trump, 78.
The federal agency confirmed an unidentified shooter fired multiple shots from an elevated rooftop toward the stage where Trump was delivering remarks to supporters.
Officials said the shooter was positioned outside the Secret Service security perimeter, approximately 200 to 300 yards away from the event.
The shooting left one rally spectator dead, and two others were injured critically, the federal agency said.
The suspect was killed by Secret Service personnel.
The FBI and Justice Department are expected to open an investigation into the shooting, according to The New York Times.
The shooting has sent shockwaves across the country as lawmakers in major cities have increased police presence.
Don Jr. said his father is in “good spirits” and receiving medical assistance at a hospital.
Trump Rally Timeline
Donald Trump was reportedly shot at his Pennsylvania rally on Saturday afternoon.
1pm: Doors open at the Butler Farm Show grounds where Trump was expected to speak at 5pm.
4:11pm: Sean Parnell gave the opening speech.
4:35pm: David McCormick rallied the crowd.
5:30pm: Crowds still waiting for Trump.
6:15pm: Gunshots reportedly fired as Trump delivered remarks.
8:42pm: Trump confirms he was shot in the ear, sharing a statement on Truth Social.
8:49pm: The Secret Service confirms the shooter and a rally attendee are dead. Two others remain critically injured.
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