Donald Trump shot at during political rally, shooter and one spectator dead

Shots rang out at a rally for Donald Trump on Saturday July 13 in Butler, PA, with the former president "fine" after being "checked out at a local medical facility".

Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger has said that two people are dead, including the apparent shooter, and another is in "critical condition".

Minutes into his speech in Pennsylvania, multiple shots could be heard and Trump was seen grabbing his ear in confusion before ducking down as Secret Service rushed the stage. Blood could be seen across his right ear and streaked across his face as the Secret Service rushed him into a car.

The agents covered Trump's head as they hunkered down over him and waited for the all clear, with audio revealing that they were told "shooter down" before they headed for the waiting car.

Trump punched the air and spoke to the agents as they left the stage, telling them he wanted to "get his shoes" as they appeared to have slipped off as he fell.

© Anna Moneymaker

"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," Trump's team said in a statement.

Anthony Guglielmi, US Secret Service chief of communications, added: "An incident occurred the evening of July 13 at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania.

"The Secret Service has implemented protective measures and the former President is safe. This is now an active Secret Service investigation and further information will be released when available."

Latest updates

The former president has now returned to his home in New Jersey after the incident. He later posted a statement on Truth Social, saying he was shot by a "bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear".

He continued: "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 realised then what was happening. GOD BLESS AMERICA!"

The FBI later named Thomas Matthew Crooks , 20, as the "subject involved" in the shooting. ABC news reported that the suspect was perched on a rooftop and used an AR-style rifle.

FBI agents killed the suspected gunman.

President Joe Biden gave a press conference, and said he had been attempting to get in touch with Trump but that "so far it appears he is doing well".

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"There is no place in America for this kind of violence, it is why we need to unite this country," he said, thanking the Secret Service and all agencies involved.

© Anna Moneymaker

Speaker Mike Johnson posted on X that he is "praying for President Trump," while House GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik tweeted: "Please pray for President Trump, his family, and all of the patriots at today’s rally in Pennsylvania."

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer issued a statement which read: "I am horrified by what happened at the Trump rally in Pennsylvania and relieved that former President Trump is safe. Political violence has no place in our country."

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Former President George W. Bush called the attack "cowardly," writing: "Laura and I are grateful that President Trump is safe following the cowardly attack on his life. And we commend the men and women of the Secret Service for their speedy response."

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Trump has been attending various rallies in recent months as he runs for President for the second time. He was in the White House between 2017 and 2021.

He is the first Presidential nominee to run as a felon , as a j ury found the former president guilty on all counts of the 34 counts in his hush money, election interference case on May 30,2024.

The trial saw Trump charged with 34 felony counts for falsifying business records in an attempt to silence his alleged mistress, Stormy Daniels, ahead of his 2016 run for president, which Manhattan district attorney Alvin Bragg claimed directly impacted the election.