(NewsNation) — A suspected bullet grazed former President Donald Trump’s ear in an apparent assassination attempt as he spoke during a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday, law enforcement officials said.
Here is a timeline of the events:
6:03 p.m. ET: Trump walked on stage at the rally in Butler County, Pennsylvania. The former president stood on stage waving to the crowd until the song “God Bless the USA” concluded at 6:05 p.m.
6:11 p.m. ET: Gunshots were heard on stage. Trump ducked instantly with Secret Service agents jumping to shield him from more shots. Agents stormed the stage as more gunfire could be heard. Agents could be heard saying, “get down, get down, get down,” as attendees screamed.
Within seconds, agents lifted the former president to his feet. Blood could be seen trailing to Trump’s lips from his right ear.
Secret Service agents started walking Trump off the stage when he lifted his hand to a fist and began to say “fight, fight, fight” to the crowd.
6:14 p.m. Trump motorcade departs
Trump’s motorcade departed the rally venue within minutes of shots ringing out.
6:42 p.m.: Secret Service and Trump campaign say Trump is safe
A spokesperson for the U.S. Secret Service issued a statement confirming “an incident” took place at the rally and that the former president “is safe.”
Within minutes, the Trump campaign issued a statement of its own saying Trump “is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility.”
7:24 p.m. Law enforcement confirms fatalities
The Butler County District Attorney told The Associated Press that the suspected shooter was dead and one rally attendee had been killed in the gunfire.
8:13 p.m. Biden statement
President Biden spoke on camera from Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, where he is spending the weekend.
In remarks that lasted two minutes, Biden said he’d tried to get in touch with Trump over the phone and hoped to speak with his political rival Saturday night.
“Look, there’s no place in America for this kind of violence. It’s sick. It’s sick,” Biden said.
8:42 p.m.: Trump weighs in
Trump posted on Truth Social roughly two-and-a-half hours after the shooting took place, thanking law enforcement, expressing his condolences for the attendee who was killed and confirming he was shot in the ear.
“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,” Trump posted. “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. GOD BLESS AMERICA!”
Biden spoke to Trump after the shooting
President Joe Biden called Trump after multiple gunshots brought his campaign rally to a screeching halt, White House officials tell NewsNation. Biden also spoke to Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Butler Mayor Bob Dandoy. The president expects to receive an updated briefing from law enforcement and Homeland Security on Sunday.
The Secret Service said one rally attendee was killed and two were critically injured.
The officials said the shooter was engaged by members of the U.S. Secret Service counterassault team and killed.
Witnesses told media outlets they saw the suspected shooter on a roof outside the rally.
This incident is currently under investigation. and “the Secret Service has notified the FBI,” said Anthony Guglielmi, Secret Service chief of communications.
NewsNation partner The Hill contributed to this report.
