Donald Trump鈥檚 campaign says he is 鈥渇ine鈥 after what law enforcement officials are treating as an assassination attempt during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Officials said the man who opened fire was a 20-year-old from Pennsylvania.
In a social media post, Trump said he was 鈥渟hot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear.鈥 The former president was quickly whisked from the stage by Secret Service agents, his ear covered in blood.
A prosecutor said the suspected gunman and at least one attendee are dead, and the Secret Service said two spectators were critically injured.
President Joe Biden and political leaders of all stripes condemned the attack. 鈥淭here鈥檚 no place in America for this type of violence,鈥 Biden said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 sick. It鈥檚 sick.鈥
Follow the AP鈥檚 Election-2024 coverage at:
The Latest:
Messages stream in from foreign leaders
Reactions condemning the attack along with messages of support and wishes for a successful recovery for Trump have poured in from political leaders around the world.
鈥淧olitical violence in any form has no place in our societies,鈥 British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called the attack 鈥渄espicable鈥 and French President Emmanuel Macron said his country 鈥渟hares the indignation of the American people.鈥
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the shooting was 鈥渁 horrific crime that must be condemned.鈥
Egyptian President Abdelfattah El Sissi said he hopes the U.S. presidential campaign proceeds 鈥渋n a peaceful and healthy atmosphere, free of any aspects of terrorism, violence, or hatred.鈥 Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called the shooting a 鈥渟hocking development.鈥
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who recently was shot in a failed assassination attempt, called the attack on Trump a 鈥渃opycat scenario.鈥
See the .
FBI names suspect in assassination attempt
The FBI early Sunday named Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, as the shooter in the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. The agency said the investigation remains active and ongoing.
The political leanings of Crooks were not immediately clear. Records show Crooks was registered as a Republican voter in Pennsylvania, but federal campaign finance reports also show he gave $15 to a progressive political action committee on Jan. 20, 2021, the day President Joe Biden was sworn in to office.
Trump lands in New Jersey, plans to spend the night at his private golf club. Biden back at White House
Former President Donald Trump鈥檚 private jet landed shortly after midnight Sunday at Newark Liberty International Airport.
showed him deplaning flanked by U.S. Secret Service agents and heavily armed members of the agency鈥檚 counter assault team, an unusually visible show of force by his protective detail.
Trump planned to spend the night at his private golf club in nearby Bedminster, New Jersey.
Meanwhile President Joe Biden arrived at the White House early Sunday after cutting short a weekend trip to Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.
The White House said he would receive a briefing from Homeland Security and law enforcement officials on the attempted assassination of Trump later in the morning.
Vice President Kamala Harris was also to attend.
Law enforcement officials say assailant who opened fire at Trump rally was a 20-year-old man from Pennsylvania
The officials spoke to AP on condition of anonymity to discuss details that had not yet been publicly released.
FBI says it鈥檚 鈥榮urprising鈥 the shooter was able to fire so many rounds
Asked if law enforcement did not know the shooter was on the roof until he began firing, Kevin Rojek, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Pittsburgh field office, responded, 鈥渢hat is our assessment at this time.鈥
鈥淚t is surprising鈥 that the shooter was able to get off as many rounds as were fired, Rojek said. He added that 鈥渁ll the details of that will come out later investigation.鈥
Meanwhile State Police said the Secret Service was responsible for surveying the venue where the rally was held. Asked whether there was anything about the venue that made it particularly difficult to secure, Lt. Col. Bivens deferred to the Secret Service, which was not present at the news conference.
Bivens said he wouldn鈥檛 speculate when asked 鈥渉ow close a call鈥 it was for Trump.
Bivens also said police have have identified the person killed and people injured but are not prepared to release names.
Other than Trump, two people were critically injured and one was killed. All were adult males.
FBI says investigators haven鈥檛 identified motive in assassination attempt against Trump
Kevin Rojek, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Pittsburgh field office, said late Saturday: 鈥淭onight we had what we鈥檙e calling an assassination attempt on our former president, Donald Trump.鈥
鈥淲e do not currently have an identified motive,鈥 he added.
The FBI was not prepared to release the identity of the shooter, who died at the scene.
Rojek said they received no specific threats ahead of the shooting.
Trump鈥檚 private jet has left Pennsylvania, according to a flight tracking website
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro also said Trump had left the area of Butler, where the rally was held.
Shapiro said Trump was 鈥渦nder the protection of US Secret Service and with the assistance of the Pennsylvania State Police.鈥
鈥淟ori and I are thankful that his team reports that he is fine and we continue to wish him a full and speedy recovery,鈥 the governor added.
Biden speaks with Trump
The White House said President Joe Biden spoke with former President Donald Trump on Saturday evening.
No further details were provided on the call.
Biden will convene a briefing with homeland security and law enforcement officials at the White House on Sunday morning.
Biden returning to Washington after suspected attempted assassination of Trump
The president said late Saturday that he would return to the White House, cutting short a weekend stay in Delaware to monitor the unfolding situation.
A few short minutes after Trump took the stage, shots rang out
At 6:02 pm Saturday, to the strains of 鈥淕od Bless the U.S.A.,鈥 former President at fairgrounds in Butler, Pennsylvania, waving at the cheering crowd and settling into his regular rally speech under a scorching midsummer sun.
A few short minutes later, Trump pointed to a projection of a chart that showed a spike in illegal border crossings under the man he鈥檚 running against, President Joe Biden. 鈥淭hat chart鈥檚 a couple of months old,鈥 Trump told the crowd. 鈥淎nd if you want to see something really sad 鈥斺
That鈥檚 when the shots rang out, at least five. Trump clutched his ear as dark-suited Secret Service agents dashed toward him. He dropped to the ground as the agents yelled, 鈥淕et down!鈥 The thousands of rallygoers packed into the field in front of him moved as one, dropping down as silence spread across the grass, punctuated only by an occasional scream.
Read more about .
GOP official describes the chaos at rally
Rico Elmore, vice chairman of the Beaver County Republican Party, was sitting in a section for special guests, facing President Trump, when he heard what sounded like firecrackers.
鈥淪o, everyone hesitated 鈥 and it was like, no, these are actual shots. So I yelled, 鈥楪et down!鈥欌
Elmore saw Secret Service agents helping Trump off the stage and then heard someone from his left calling for a medic.
Elmore knows first aid and CPR from his time in the military, and he knew a medic wouldn鈥檛 be able to reach the cries for help fast enough.
He took off his tie and jumped a barricade, but when he reached the person, Elmore saw he had been shot in the head. Elmore said he held the victim鈥檚 head but it was too late. The man was unresponsive.
鈥淚 mean, it was a horror,鈥 Elmore said. 鈥淚 pray to the family that had to deal with this that is going through this now. Because it is hard. It is so hard.鈥
He said that the shots came from behind the bleachers but did not see the shooter.
Trump campaign, RNC say convention in Milwaukee will 鈥榩roceed鈥 after rally shooting, Trump looks forward to joining
Trump鈥檚 campaign and the Republican 春色直播 Committee say the party鈥檚 convention in Milwaukee this week will 鈥減roceed鈥 after the rally shooting.
鈥淧resident Trump looks forward to joining you all in Milwaukee as we proceed with our convention to nominate him to serve as the 47th President of the United States,鈥 said Trump campaign advisers Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita and Republican 春色直播 Committee Chair Michael Whatley and co-chair Lara Trump in a statement.
The convention is set to open Monday.
Law enforcement recovered an AR-style rifle at the scene of the Trump rally shooting, AP source says
Law enforcement recovered an AR-style rifle at the scene, according to a person familiar with the matter. The person was not authorized to discuss details of the investigation.
Mayorkas: Homeland Security 鈥榯aking every possible measure鈥 to ensure security for campaign after Trump rally shooting
鈥淒HS and the Secret Service are working with law enforcement partners to respond to and investigate the shooting,鈥 Alejandro Mayorkas said in a statement.鈥
鈥淲e are engaged with President Biden, former President Trump, and their campaigns, and are taking every possible measure to ensure their safety and security. Maintaining the security of the Presidential candidates and their campaign events is one of our Department鈥檚 most vital priorities.鈥
More reactions
Ivanka Trump, his eldest daughter: 鈥淭hank you for your love and prayers for my father and for the other victims of today鈥檚 senseless violence in Butler, Pennsylvania. I am grateful to the Secret Service and all the other law enforcement officers for their quick and decisive actions today. I continue to pray for our country. I love you Dad, today and always.鈥
Michael Cohen, Trump鈥檚 former lawyer and a key witness against him at his criminal trial: 鈥淲hether you agree or disagree with someone鈥檚 political position, THIS IS NOT THE SOLUTION!鈥
James Comer, a Kentucky Republican who chairs the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability: 鈥淧olitical violence in all forms is unamerican and unacceptable. There are many questions and Americans demand answers. I have already contacted the Secret Service for a briefing and am also calling on Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle to appear for a hearing.鈥
Billionaire Elon Musk: 鈥淚 fully endorse President Trump and hope for his rapid recovery.鈥
The 春色直播 Rifle Association: 鈥淲e pray for the safety and well-being of President Trump and the brave men and women protecting him and all in attendance in PA.鈥
春色直播 Prime Minister Justin Trudeau: 鈥淚鈥檓 sickened by the shooting at former President Trump. It cannot be overstated 鈥 political violence is never acceptable. My thoughts are with former President Trump, those at the event, and all Americans.鈥
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, a Democrat: 鈥淚鈥檓 glad to hear President Trump is doing well following this terrible act of violence. Violence is never acceptable. My thoughts are with President Trump and everyone impacted by this inexcusable act that I strongly condemn.鈥
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese: 鈥淭here is no place for violence in the democratic process. I am relieved to hear reports that former President Trump is now safe.鈥
Secret Service says 1 spectator killed, 2 critically injured after attacker fired 鈥榤ultiple shots鈥 at Trump rally
Multiple shots were fired toward the stage by a shooter at Trump鈥檚 rally in Pennsylvania, the Secret Service said, leaving one spectator dead and two critically injured.
The agency said the shooter fired from 鈥渁n elevated position outside the rally venue.鈥 Agents 鈥渘eutralized鈥 the shooter, who is now dead. The agency repeated that Trump is 鈥渟afe鈥 and is being evaluated.
Trump says his ear was hit by a bullet, nothing yet known about shooter
In a social media post, Trump said he was 鈥渟hot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear.鈥
He wrote on his Truth Social platform that he 鈥渒new 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!鈥
Trump also thanked the Secret Service and other law endorsement for their 鈥渞apid response.鈥 And he extended condolences 鈥渢o the family of the person at the Rally who was killed, and also to the family of another person that was badly injured.鈥
鈥淚t 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,鈥 he said.
Another rally attendee was taken to the hospital, prosecutor tells CNN
Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger told CNN that in addition to the spectator who was killed, another attendee was taken to a local hospital and in serious condition.
鈥淭he shooter is dead,鈥 Goldinger said.
He said the shooter was outside the rally grounds, but he didn鈥檛 give additional information about where.
鈥淨uite frankly I don鈥檛 know how he would have gotten to the location where he was, but he was outside the grounds, and I think that鈥檚 something that we鈥檙e going to have to figure out 鈥 how he got there,鈥 Goldinger told CNN.
More reactions
Vice President Kamala Harris: 鈥淒oug and I are relieved that he is not seriously injured. We are praying for him, his family, and all those who have been injured and impacted by this senseless shooting. ... We must all condemn this abhorrent act and do our part to ensure that it does not lead to more violence.鈥
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell: 鈥淭onight, all Americans are grateful that President Trump appears to be fine after a despicable attack on a peaceful rally. Violence has no place in our politics.鈥
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer鈥檚 office: 鈥淲e are shocked by the scenes at President Trump鈥檚 rally in Pennsylvania. We condemn all forms of political violence in the strongest terms and we send our best wishes to President Trump and his family at this time.鈥
Nikki Haley, Republican former South Carolina governor and United Nations ambassador: 鈥淭his should horrify every freedom loving American,鈥 and 鈥淰iolence against presidential candidates must never be normalized.鈥
Democratic Massachusetts U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren: 鈥淧olitical violence is wrong and I condemn it. I hope everyone who attended the rally is ok and I am glad the former president is safe.鈥
Sen. Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican: 鈥淭hank God President Trump seems to be okay. Just another reminder of the times in which we live. We need to pray fervently for anyone who may have been injured at the rally.鈥
Former President Bill Clinton: 鈥淰iolence 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鈥檚 rally in Pennsylvania, and grateful for the swift action of the U.S. Secret Service.鈥
Former Democratic Vice President Al Gore: The country 鈥渕ust join together to wholeheartedly and unequivocally condemn political violence,鈥 and 鈥渢he former president and those affected today are in my prayers.鈥
Democratic Mayor Cavalier Johnson of Milwaukee, which is hosting the upcoming Republican 春色直播 Convention: .鈥淣o one should be shot 鈥 not like this. Not kids, not churchgoers, and not a candidate for President of the United States,鈥 Johnson, a Democrat, said. 鈥淲e must demand peace, whether it is in the political sphere or in homes and neighborhoods everywhere.鈥
Biden says 鈥榚verybody must condemn鈥 attack at Trump rally
鈥淭here鈥檚 no place in America for this type of violence,鈥 Biden said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 sick. It鈥檚 sick.鈥
The president said 鈥渆verybody must condemn鈥 the attack, he is relieved that Trump is reportedly 鈥渄oing well鈥 and he hopes to speak with his 2024 presidential rival soon.
Biden said he was waiting for additional information before formally calling the attack an attempted assassination. 鈥淚 have an opinion, but i don鈥檛 have any facts,鈥 he told reporters, pledging to provide updates as he learns more.
The president also pledged to update the public later on whether they speak as well as additional details about the investigation.
Son says Trump 鈥渋n great spirits鈥
Trump鈥檚 eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., said he just spoke to his father on the phone and 鈥渉e is in great spirits.鈥
鈥淗e will never stop fighting to save America, no matter what the radical left throws at him,鈥 Trump Jr. said in a statement.
Biden to deliver remarks to nation after apparent assassination attempt on Trump
Biden will be delivering remarks from the White House鈥檚 emergency briefing room in Rehoboth Beach, Del., which is set up whenever the president travels to allow him to deliver remarks to the country in a matter of minutes.
Shooter was outside Trump rally, and was killed by Secret Service, law enforcement officials say
Two officials spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity to discuss the ongoing investigation. They said the shooter was not an attendee at the rally and was killed by U.S. Secret Service agents.
More condemnations of political violence
Former President Barack Obama said in a statement that 鈥淭here is absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy.鈥 He added that while details were still scarce, 鈥渨e should all be relieved that former President Trump wasn鈥檛 seriously hurt, and use this moment to recommit ourselves to civility and respect in our politics.鈥
鈥淎s one whose family has been the victim of political violence, I know firsthand that political violence of any kind has no place in our society,鈥 former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said. 鈥淚 thank God that former President Trump is safe. As we learn more details about this horrifying incident, let us pray that all those in attendance at the former President鈥檚 rally today are unharmed.鈥
House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said on the social platform X that his thoughts and prayers are with former President Trump. 鈥淚 am thankful for the decisive law enforcement response,鈥 he said. 鈥淎merica is a democracy. Political violence of any kind is never acceptable.鈥
Shooting at Trump rally is being investigated as attempted assassination of ex-president, officials say
The shooting at former President Donald Trump鈥檚 rally in Pennsylvania is being investigated as an attempted assassination of the former president and presumptive Republican nominee, law enforcement officials say.
Two officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the ongoing investigation.
Condemnations of political violence
Former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, who was shot in the head in 2011 while at a meeting with her constituents, released a statement saying 鈥淧olitical violence is terrifying. I know.鈥
鈥淚鈥檓 holding former president Trump, and all those affected by today鈥檚 indefensible act of violence in my heart,鈥 the Democrat said. 鈥淧olitical violence is un-American and is never acceptable 鈥 never.鈥
Similar statements are coming from other officials, including President George W. Bush, Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and House Speaker Mike Johnson.
In New York, a spokesperson for New York Mayor Eric Adams said that out of 鈥渁n abundance of caution,鈥 police increased their presence across the city including at Trump Tower and 40 Wall Street.
鈥淲hile we are surging these resources, we want to be very clear that we see no nexus to NYC at this time,鈥 .
How it happened
As Trump was talking, a popping sound was heard, and the former president put his right hand up to his right ear. People in the stands behind him appeared shocked.
Trump appeared to lower himself behind the lectern and the sounds 鈥 apparent gunshots 鈥 continued as Secret Service agents rushed the stage.
Trump鈥檚 microphone picked up the sound of people yelling 鈥淕et down, get down, get down鈥 while at least three agents piled on top of him.
The apparent gunshot sound was heard again several times while agents were on him. People in the crowd screamed.
Someone鈥檚 voice was heard through the microphone asking 鈥淎re we good?鈥 Secret Service agents in tactical gear stood on the stage, some looking out to the crowd.
A voice was heard saying, 鈥淪hooter鈥檚 down.鈥 Then a voice said, 鈥淲e鈥檙e clear鈥 and 鈥淟et鈥檚 move.鈥
Agents stood up, surrounding Trump. As they moved with him off the stage, Trump lifted his right arm and fist into the air. Blood was seen on the right side of his face.
Shooter dead and rally attendee killed at Trump event in Pennsylvania, prosecutor tells AP
Butler County district attorney Richard Goldinger said in a phone interview that the suspected gunman was dead and at least one rally attendee was killed.
Pennsylvania GOP candidate describes sudden shots, blood
Pennsylvania Republican Senate candidate Dave McCormick, who was sitting in the front row, told Politico that it appeared someone behind him was shot.
鈥淎ll the sudden shots started to crack, someone behind me appears to have been shot,鈥 McCormick said. 鈥淭here鈥檚 lots of blood, and then the Secret Service were all over President Trump.鈥
Trump, as a former president, retains Secret Service protection for life under federal law. As the presumptive Republican nominee who is frequently in the public eye, he received added protective assets.
Biden gets updated briefing. ATF says rally incident is 鈥渁 top priority.鈥
President Joe Biden received an updated briefing on the incident at the Trump rally from Kimberly Cheatle, the director of the United States Secretary Service, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, and White House homeland security adviser Liz Sherwood-Randall.
The Bureau of Alcoholo, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives issued a statement: 鈥淎TF is responding to assist the U.S. Secret Service and other law enforcement partners. This is a top priority. We have no further comment at this time.鈥
Prayers and concerns from allies and rivals alike
North Dakota Sen. Doug Burgum, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and Ohio Sen. JD Vance, the three men on Trump's shortlist for vice president, all quickly sent out statements expressing concern for the former president.
Rubio shared an image taken as Trump was escorted off stage with his fist in the air and a streak of blood on his face along with the words, 鈥淕od protected President Trump.鈥
鈥淚 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,鈥 said Sen. Chuck Schumer in a statement.
鈥淲e should all condemn what happened today and I am hoping for the health of the former president and everyone else at the rally,鈥 Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy posted on the social platform X.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said in a post on X that his 鈥渢houghts and prayers are with former President Trump鈥 and expressed thanks 鈥渇or the decisive law enforcement response.鈥
Trump鈥檚 new eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., posted a photo of Trump, his first raised and his face bloody in front of an American flag, with the words: 鈥淗e鈥檒l never stop fighting to Save America 鈥 on the social platform X.
Trump says he is 鈥榝ine鈥 in statement and says he is being checked at a medical facility
Donald Trump鈥檚 campaign said in a statement that he was 鈥渇ine鈥 after being whisked off the stage at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania after apparent gunshots rang through the crowd.
鈥淧resident Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act,鈥 spokesman Steven Cheung said in a statement. 鈥淗e is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility. More details will follow.鈥
The former president and presumptive Republican nominee was showing off a chart of border crossing numbers during his last rally before the Republican 春色直播 Convention opens Monday when bangs started ringing through the crowd. Trump could be seen reaching with his right hand toward his neck. There appeared to be blood on his face.
He quickly ducked behind the riser as agents from his protective detail rushed the stage and screams were heard in the crowd of several thousand people. The bangs continued as agents tended to him on stage.
The crowd cheered as he got back up and pumped his fist.
His motorcade has since left the venue. His condition was not immediately known.
Donald Trump whisked off stage in Pennsylvania after apparent gunshots rang through the crowd
Donald Trump was whisked off the stage at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania after apparent gunshots rang through the crowd.
Trump was showing off a chart of border crossing numbers when bangs started ringing through the crowd. Trump could be seen reaching with his right hand toward his neck. There appeared to be blood on his face.
He quickly ducked behind the riser as agents from his protective detail rushed the stage and screams rang out from the crowd. The bangs continued as agents tended to him on stage.
The crowd cheered as he got back up and pumped his fist.
His motorcade has left the venue. His condition was not immediately known.
Police began vacating the fairgrounds shortly after Trump left the stage.
The U.S. Secret Service and other law enforcement agencies did not immediately respond to messages.
Leaving Mass in Rehoboth Beach, President Joe Biden simply responded, 鈥淣o,鈥 when asked if he鈥檇 been briefed about the incident.
Donald Trump escorted off stage by Secret Service during rally after loud noises ring out in crowd
Donald Trump has been escorted off stage by the Secret Service during his rally after loud noises rang out in the crowd.
