Former President Donald Trump was injured when gunfire rang out during a Republican rally in western Pennsylvania and he was rushed from the stage by the US Secret Service.
The shooting happened in the city of Butler, about 35 miles north of Pittsburgh.
The gunman was shot and killed by a Secret Service agent, authorities said. One spectator was killed and two others were “seriously injured,” the Secret Service said. The identity of the gunman was not immediately known.
Where was the Trump rally held?The Pennsylvania exterior was the scene of a shooting Saturday.
Biden: ‘There is no place for this kind of violence in America’
In a brief televised news conference after the shooting, Biden said he was trying to call Trump as soon as possible to speak with him.
“There is no place for this kind of violence in America. It’s sick,” the president said.
Biden refused to call the shooting an assassination attempt until more facts were known.
“Right now, he’s doing well and we’re investigating thoroughly,” Biden said. “We have some reports, but we don’t have a final report yet.”
“At the end of the day, Trump’s rally should have been peaceful and without incident,” Biden said. “But the idea that political violence, or any violence like this is happening in America, is just unheard of and it’s just not appropriate. Everyone, everyone must condemn it. Everyone.”
Trump: “I was shot”
The former president released a statement shortly after the shooting.
“I was shot above my right ear,” Trump wrote. “I heard the whoosh, felt the bullet cut through my skin and immediately knew something was wrong.”
As of Saturday evening, the Secret Service was leading the investigation into the incident.
The FBI is also assisting in the investigation.
What happened during filming?
At least six loud explosions were heard while the president was onstage, several of which were heard as the president stood behind the podium and several after the president appeared to crouch behind the podium after the first shots were fired.
After the commotion, Trump was escorted out of the venue by Secret Service with his fist raised.
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter at USA TODAY. Contact her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her at X @nataliealund.
