Former US President and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump was injured on Saturday (local time) after a shooting at his rally in Pennsylvania’s Butler. There appeared to be blood on his face as he was taken off-stage by security after the incident. In a statement, Trump’s spokesman said he was “fine” and was being “checked out” at a local medical facility.
In a post on Trump’s Truth Social account, he said, “I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear. Much bleeding took place, so I realised then what was happening.”
US President Joe Biden condemned the life-threatening attack on his Republican rival and predecessor. “There’s no place in America for this kind of violence. It’s sick,” Biden said, adding that he has been thoroughly briefed on the matter and planned to talk to Trump. “Everybody must condemn it.” He talked to Trump over the phone.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi “strongly condemned the incident” and said “violence has no place in politics and democracies”.
One shooter and one of the attendees of the rally have been killed. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), along with the US Secret Service and other agencies are probing the incident as an attempted assassination.
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- A video of the incident showed multiple bangs ranging out as Trump spoke about President Joe Biden and his administration. He was then quickly covered by Secret Service agents and rushed off-stage to a waiting vehicle. Trump was seen pumping his fist in the air, with the crowd cheering, as he was escorted out by the Secret Service. Armed police took to the podium soon after he left the stage.
- The US Secret Service said Trump was safe and that measures for his protection had been implemented. The Republican presidential candidate is out of the hospital.”During former President Trump’s campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on the evening of July 13 at approximately 6.15 pm, a suspected shooter fired multiple shots toward the stage from an elevated position outside of the rally venue. US Secret Service personnel neutralised the shooter, who is now deceased. US Secret Service quickly responded with protective measures and the former president is safe and being evaluated,” Secret Service Chief of Communications, Anthony Guglielmi, said.
- The suspected shooter at the Trump rally has been killed by the law enforcement agencies. One of the attendees has also been killed and two others are in critical condition. According to a witness, the suspect was shot in the head by Secret Service agents.There was no indication of the identity or motive of the suspect, who was a man. Attendees of the rally said they saw a man with a rifle crawling up a nearby roof while Trump was still speaking. Though the crowd tried to alert the law enforcement agencies, about four to five shots rang out as Trump was speaking on stage.
- The shooting at former President is being investigated as an attempted assassination and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) will be leading the probe. The UD Secret Service has formally notified the FBI and the agency said that their personnel are on the scene.”The FBI has assumed the role of the lead federal law enforcement agency in the investigation of the incident involving former President Donald Trump that occurred earlier today in Butler, Pennsylvania,” the federal agency said.
- US President Joe Biden condemned the life-threatening attack on his Republican rival and predecessor Donald Trump.“I have been briefed on the shooting at Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania. I’m grateful to hear that he’s safe and doing well. I’m praying for him and his family and for all those who were at the rally, as we await further information. Jill and I are grateful to the Secret Service for getting him to safety. There’s no place for this kind of violence in America. We must unite as one nation to condemn it,” he said.
- US Defence Secretary Lloyd J Austin said that the “entire Department of Defence condemns this violence, which has absolutely no place in our democracy.””This is not the way that we resolve our differences in America—and it must never be. I’m relieved that reports indicate former President Trump is safe, and I am praying for him and his family and everyone affected by this appalling incident,” he said.
- Trump, in his social media post, also thanked the US Secret Service and law enforcement for their “rapid response” and also extended his 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,” he said.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted that “violence has no place in politics and democracies” and said he was “deeply concerned by the attack on my friend, former President Donald Trump”.”Strongly condemn the incident. Violence has no place in politics and democracies. Wish him speedy recovery. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the deceased, those injured and the American people,” he wrote on X.
- Trump’s daughter Ivanka Trump responded, “I love you Dad, today and always”. She thanked people “for your love and prayers for my father and for the other victims of today’s senseless violence in Butler, Pennsylvania,” saying in a post on X that she is “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.”Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Junior, posted a photo on X of Trump, his fist raised and his face bloody in front of an American flag, with the words, “He’ll never stop fighting to Save America.”
- World leaders condemned the incident. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said political violence in any form “has no place in our societies”. Japan PM Kishida stated that we must stand firm against violence. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he was “sickened by the shooting” and “It cannot be overstated”. Australian PM Anthony Albanese said the incident was “concerning and confronting”. Brazialian President Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva also called it “unacceptable” and “must be vehemently repudiated by all defenders of democracy”.
- Article source: indiatoday.in
