The attack by a gunman, who law enforcement officials said was later killed by the Secret Service, was the first attempt to assassinate a US president or presidential candidate since President Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981.
Butler County Prosecutor Richard Goldinger said in a telephone interview with the AP that the suspected shooter was dead and that at least one person who attended the rally was killed. The Secret Service said in a statement that Mr. Trump “remains safe.”
Video of the incident (source: Reuters)
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Shooting shakes America
The incident took place in the context of a deeply polarized US political atmosphere, just four months before the US presidential election and days before Mr. Trump was officially nominated as the Republican candidate at his party's convention.
"President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders...", spokesman Steven Cheung said in a statement. "He is doing well and is being evaluated at a local medical facility. We will provide further details."
Two officials spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity to discuss the ongoing investigation. The officials said the shooter was killed by members of the Secret Service counter-assault team.
This heavily armed tactical team travels everywhere with presidents and major party candidates. They are tasked with confronting any ongoing threats while other agents focus on protecting and evacuating people on the scene.
Former President Donald Trump makes a gesture of determination after being shot at a campaign event in Butler, Pennsylvania on July 13, 2024. Photo: AP
It was not immediately clear whether Mr Trump was hit by gunfire or something else. Mr Trump was presenting a chart of border crossings at his final rally before the Republican National Convention opens on Monday when the apparent shooting began.
“The shooter has been taken down.”
It took about two minutes from the time the first shots were fired before Mr. Trump was ushered into a waiting SUV. As Mr. Trump spoke, a bang rang out, and the former president raised his right hand to his right ear, while those in the audience behind him expressed obvious fear.
As the first explosion rang out, Mr Trump said, “Oh,” and covered his ears as two more explosions could be heard and he ducked down. Then there were more explosions.
A voice could be heard near the microphone at Mr Trump's podium shouting, "Get down, get down, get down, get down!" as agents pulled the former US President down and covered him.
US Secret Service special forces are believed to have killed the shooter. Photo: AP
Screams rang out through the crowd of thousands. Then a voice said "the shooter is down" several times, before someone asked "can we move now?" and "are we safe?". Then someone ordered: "Let's move."
In the video, Trump can be heard saying at least twice, “Let me get my shoes, let me get my shoes.” Trump stands up a few minutes later and can be seen reaching his right hand toward his face. It appears his face is covered in blood. He then raises his fist in the air and shouts “Fight” twice to a crowd of supporters, prompting cheers and chants of “USA… USA… USA…”.
His motorcade left the venue just minutes later. Video shows Trump turning back to the crowd and raising his fist again just before being ushered back into his car. Police began to leave the area shortly after Trump left, at what local police described as a crime scene.
Political violence haunts America again
The risks of violence in this year's US presidential campaign have become more apparent after the incident.
In 1968, the United States witnessed the assassination of the late senator and candidate that year, Robert F. Kennedy in California, and again in 1972 when Arthur Bremer shot and killed George Wallace, who was running as an independent candidate. That led to increased protection for candidates, especially in the cases of Jesse Jackson in 1988 and Barack Obama in 2008.
Presidents, especially after the assassination of John F. Kennedy in 1963, have had additional layers of protection. Mr. Trump is rare in being both a former president and a candidate.
President Joe Biden has been informed of the incident. Following the incident, the Biden campaign paused all messaging to supporters.
Trump's eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., posted a photo on X of former President Trump, his fist raised and his face bloodied in front of an American flag, with the caption: "He will never stop fighting to save America."
Bui Huy (according to AP, CNN)
Source: https://www.congluan.vn/dieu-tra-vu-am-sat-ong-donald-trump-ke-no-sung-bi-tieu-diet-va-mot-nguoi-thiet-mang-post303401.html
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