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2024 shooting at a Donald Trump rally

Coordinates: 40°51′26″N 79°58′16″W / 40.85722°N 79.97111°W / 40.85722; -79.97111
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Shooting at a Donald Trump rally
Map
LocationButler Farm Show Grounds
Connoquenessing Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Coordinates40°51′26″N 79°58′16″W / 40.8571223°N 79.9711779°W / 40.8571223; -79.9711779
DateJuly 13, 2024 (2024-07-13)
6:11 p.m. (5 hours ago)[1] (EDT)
Attack type
Shooting, assassination attempt[2][3][4]
WeaponAR-15–style rifle
Deaths2 (the perpetrator and a rally attendee)[5]
Injured3+ (including Donald Trump)[6]

On July 13, 2024, former United States president Donald Trump was shot in the right ear during a shooting at a rally in Connoquenessing Township, west of Butler, Pennsylvania.[7][8][9] Law enforcement and witnesses stated that the suspected shooter fired from a roof outside the rally venue using an AR-15–style rifle, before being killed by a Secret Service counter-assault team member.[10]

Trump was shot in the upper right ear and was quickly surrounded by the Secret Service; he pumped his fist in the air for multiple seconds before being rushed to a vehicle.[11][12] He was then sent to the hospital in stable condition.[13][14] Federal and local officials reported that the suspected shooter and a rally attendee were killed, while two attendees were critically injured.[5][7]

The shooting is being investigated as an attempted assassination.[7] This would mark the first time that a former or current U.S. president or presidential candidate was injured in an attempted assassination since then-incumbent president Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981.[15]

Background

Former president Donald Trump is the presumptive Republican presidential nominee for the 2024 United States presidential election.[16]

Trump's rallies are screened for prohibited items, including weapons.[17] Butler County Republican Committee chairman James E. Hulings estimated 50,000 people were at the rally.[18] It was held as part of his presidential campaign for the election in order to raise votes in the swing state of Pennsylvania.[19] The shooting occurred two days before the scheduled start of the Republican National Convention.

Shooting

A map diagram illustrating the approximate locations of the attacker, Donald Trump, and the Secret Service Counter Assault Team[20][21][22]

At approximately 6:11 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, gunshots were heard at a Donald Trump rally in Connoquenessing Township west of Meridian, Pennsylvania,[23][24] six minutes into Trump's speech.[25] At least three rallygoers were hit, leaving one person dead and two in critical condition.[26] Blood was visible in the left-hand bleachers at the venue.[27] The alleged shooter did not undergo security screening as they were reportedly outside the security perimeter of the rally, and was killed by United States Secret Service snipers soon after the shooting.[28] The alleged shooter's body was discovered on a rooftop of a building a couple hundred feet away from Trump.[29]

Secret Service agents lunged toward Trump and shielded him, who, after around 25 seconds on the ground,[25] got up and, with blood on his face, raised and pumped his fist at the crowd. He was then escorted to a vehicle.[30] A spokesman for the Secret Service confirmed that "an incident occurred" and affirmed that Trump was "safe".[31] He was shortly afterwards examined at a local medical facility, according to campaign spokesman Steven Cheung, who also affirmed that Trump was "fine".[32] Trump later stated on Truth Social that "[he] was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of [his] right ear".[33]

According to Butler County district attorney Richard Goldinger, an alleged perpetrator and an audience member were killed.[34] At least one other person is in critical condition.[35][36] Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-Texas) told Fox News that his nephew was shot in the neck.[37] According to Goldinger, authorities have yet to determine the shooter's identity.[36]

According to the Secret Service, an AR-15 style rifle was used in the shooting.[38]

Aftermath

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is leading an investigation with the Department of Justice, the United States Secret Service, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.[39][40] The incident is being investigated as an assassination attempt.[15][41] It is the first time a current or former U.S. president or presidential candidate has been shot since Ronald Reagan in 1981.[15]

Trump raising his fist and shouting, with blood on his ear, while being carried by Secret Service agents. There is an American flag nearby in the background.
Evan Vucci's photograph showing a bloodied Donald Trump being escorted away by Secret Service agents immediately after the shooting
The above file's purpose is being discussed and/or is being considered for deletion. See files for discussion to help reach a consensus on what to do.

After the shooting, Trump made a statement on Truth Social where he thanked law enforcement and secret service and offered his condolences to the families of the person killed and the injured person.[42][43] Recounting the events he said "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."[44]

Security at Trump Tower was increased by the New York City Police Department.[45]

An image of a bloodied Trump pumping his fist in the air taken by Evan Vucci of the Associated Press was spread on social media shortly afterwards.[46] Politico called it "an opportunity to tout conspiracy theories and stoke political tensions" by many, and observed usage in posts by his most prominent allies, including the National Republican Senatorial Committee.[47] Benjamin Wallace-Wells of The New Yorker said that "It is already the indelible image of our era of political crisis and conflict." He analyzed that "some of the elements in Vucci's image are familiar from the countless others of Trump" and concluded that "It is an image that captures him as he would like to be seen, so perfectly, in fact, that it may outlast all the rest."[48]

Responses

Domestic

Federal officials

U.S. President Joe Biden delivering remarks on the incident

United States President Joe Biden responded in a speech that "there's no place in America for this kind of violence. It's sick. It's sick. It's one of the reasons why we have to unite this country. We cannot allow for this to be happening. We cannot be like this. We cannot condone this... Everybody must condemn it."[49][50] The White House also released an earlier statement from Biden that he was "grateful to hear" that Trump was safe.[51]

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson,[52] House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries,[53] Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer,[54][55] and Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi[27][56] have issued statements denouncing the political violence.

State officials

Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro denounced political violence.[57][58] Florida governor Ron DeSantis, who ran against Trump in the 2024 Republican primaries, stated he and his wife were praying for him.[59]

Others

Former President George W. Bush called the shooting "cowardly" and applauded the Secret Service for their response.[60] Former President Barack Obama tweeted "There is absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy" and wished Trump a quick recovery.[61] Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State and 2016 Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton also condemned the attack.[62] Senator for Vermont Bernie Sanders condemned the attack, stating "political violence is absolutely unacceptable" and wished all parties injured a speedy recovery.[63]

Republican U.S. Representative Mike Collins of Georgia called for a Republican prosecutor to charge President Joe Biden "for inciting an assassination", with Collins publicly accusing Biden of having "sent the orders", citing a quote by Biden to political donors earlier that week as reported by Politico: "we’re done talking about the debate, it’s time to put Trump in a bullseye."[citation needed] Republican Senator J. D. Vance of Ohio blamed the Biden presidential campaign's political rhetoric, while Republican Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina blamed messaging by "the radical Left and corporate media".[64] Businessman Elon Musk stated "I fully endorse President Trump and hope for his rapid recovery."[65]

International

Many incumbent and former world leaders offered their solidarity with Trump after the incident.[66][67][68][69]

Philippine president Bongbong Marcos tweeted "It is with great relief that we receive the news that former President Donald Trump is fine and well after the attempt to assasinate him. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family."[70]

See also

References

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  61. ^ Obama, Barack [@BarackObama] (July 13, 2024). "There is absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy. Although we don't yet know exactly what happened, we should all be relieved that former President Trump wasn't seriously hurt, and use this moment to recommit ourselves to civility and respect in our politics. Michelle and I are wishing him a quick recovery" (Tweet). Retrieved July 13, 2024 – via Twitter.
  62. ^ Clinton, Bill [@BillClinton] (July 13, 2024). "Violence has no place in America, especially in our political process. Hillary and I are thankful that President Trump is safe, heartbroken for all those affected by the attack at today's rally in Pennsylvania, and grateful for the swift action of the U.S. Secret Service" (Tweet). Retrieved July 13, 2024 – via Twitter.
  63. ^ Sanders, Bernie [@BernieSanders] (July 13, 2024). "Political violence is absolutely unacceptable. I wish Donald Trump, and anyone else who may have been hurt, a speedy recovery" (Tweet). Retrieved July 13, 2024 – via Twitter.
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  69. ^ Starmer, Keir [@Keir_Starmer] (July 14, 2024). "I am appalled by the shocking scenes at President Trump's rally and we send him and his family our best wishes. Political violence in any form has no place in our societies and my thoughts are with all the victims of this attack" (Tweet). Retrieved July 14, 2024 – via Twitter.
  70. ^ Marcos, Bongbong [@bongbongmarcos] (July 14, 2024). "It is with great relief that we receive the news that former President Donald Trump is fine and well after the attempt to assasinate him. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family" (Tweet). Retrieved July 14, 2024 – via Twitter.
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