Former US President Donald Trump was shot at an outdoor rally, on Saturday evening (US time) while delivering his speech in Butler, Pennsylvania.
“The former President is safe and further information will be released when available,” the US Secret Service said. This tragic incident occurred when the Former US President was standing on a stage behind a podium.
It was almost six minutes into his speech when suddenly, the sound of gunshots rang the air. The Republican Party candidate dropped to the ground behind the podium after looking at the blood on his hand that went past over his right ear.
At the same time, several Secret Service agents ran onto the stage and piled on and around the Former US President while other law enforcement officers armed with rifles took charge.
Gunshots were heard for the second time as well, but this time, the Secret Service agents kept Donald Trump on the ground for 25 seconds.
"I heard about four shots and I saw the crowd go down and then Trump ducked also real quick. Then the Secret Service all jumped and protected him as soon as they could. We are talking within a second they were all protecting him," Reuters quoted a Trump supporter, who was in the crowd, as saying.
There were cries in the crowd, "Shooter is down!" Following the gunshots, Trump said, “Let me get my shoes. Let me get my shoes” as the security agents lifted him from the ground. The 2024 US Presidential candidate with dishevelled hair and bloodied ear mouthed "fight" and pumped his fist before being escorted away in a black SUV. The crowd could be heard chanting the rhetoric, “USA, USA.”
After the incident, while providing first account of gunfire Donald Trump said, "I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear," reported AFP.
On Truth Social site, the former US President described in detail how the gunshot ripped his skin. The post reads, "I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin." He added, "It is incredible that such an act can take place in our country."
(With inputs from Reuters)
