Donald Trump's final campaign rally ahead of the Republican convention took a dramatic turn when gunfire rang out just minutes after he spoke.
The gates to the Butler Farm Show in Butler, Pennsylvania, where former President Donald Trump held a campaign rally, opened early at 1 p.m. on July 13. This was Trump's last stop before the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee on July 15.
Thousands of people flocked to the open field in front of the stage where Mr Trump was scheduled to deliver a keynote speech, before the former president traveled to Milwaukee to formally accept the Republican nomination.
Located in central Butler County, where Mr. Trump won more than 30% of the vote in 2020, the fairgrounds has been a community gathering place and a hub for local agriculture since the 1940s.
Mr. Trump was scheduled to begin speaking at 5 p.m., but he had not yet appeared. Supporters were still waiting in the open field in temperatures of over 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
At 6:03 p.m. , the former president appeared and stepped onto the stage to the music of Lee Greenwood's God Bless America . Trump wore a white shirt, navy blue vest and no tie. He wore his familiar red hat with the words Make America Great Again printed on it.
He spent a few minutes shaking hands with supporters and swaying to music to rouse the crowd before taking the podium in the center of the stage. Behind him was a large warehouse, where Secret Service snipers were stationed on the roof to monitor the crowd.
At 6:05 p.m. , Trump began his speech by expressing surprise at the number of people attending the event. He said, "I wish the fake news could see this, because no one would believe it." He then began complaining about the country "going to hell."
After a few minutes, he turned to his right, where a large screen displayed a graph, and began describing the immigration figures to the United States over the past few years.
"And then the worst president in the history of our country came into office. Look what's happening to our country. Probably 20 million immigrants. You know, this chart is a little old. It's several months old. And if you really want to see something bad, look what's happening," Trump said.
At 6:12 p.m. , before Mr. Trump finished speaking, the first gunshot rang out. He was startled, stopped mid-sentence, and reflexively reached up to touch his right ear.
A second shot rang out, then a third. Mr. Trump quickly crouched behind the podium. “Get down, get down,” a Secret Service agent shouted.
Another volley of shots rang out. The crowd screamed and bowed. Three Secret Service agents rushed onto the stage and surrounded Trump. Armed security personnel also quickly moved forward to guard the four corners of the stage.
One rally attendee was killed and two others were seriously injured in the shooting.
Secret Service agents held Trump down on the floor for 25 seconds before someone shouted “shooter down.” A Secret Service sniper on the roof of the warehouse quickly located the source of the threat and shot the suspect in the head.
A Secret Service agent ordered the group to quickly move Mr Trump to safety, as the crowd continued to scream.
The Butler County prosecutor said the gunman opened fire from the roof of a building next to the event. The building is owned by American Glass Research, which describes itself as a “full-service, independent research and testing laboratory” for the glass container industry.
Images taken by residents show the body of a man lying on the roof of a building about 120 meters from where the former president spoke.
Secret Service agents lifted Mr Trump to his feet and formed a tight circle around him. His red hat was gone, his hair was disheveled and his ear was bleeding.
"Let me get my shoes. Let me get my shoes," Trump said as Secret Service agents helped him up. He then said "wait, wait" before pumping his fist in the air, as supporters cheered.
A Secret Service agent raised his hand above Trump's head to shield him. The former president continued to raise his fist in the air and say "fight, fight." Many in the crowd began chanting "USA, USA."
At 6:13 p.m. , secret service agents escorted him off stage, quickly took him to a black SUV parked nearby, and left.
At 8:45 p.m. , Mr. Trump posted his first comment on the social network Truth Social after the shooting. He said the bullet had passed through the upper part of his right ear.
"I knew something was wrong when I heard the whistling, the gunshot and immediately felt the bullet pierce my skin. There was a lot of blood and I knew what was happening," he wrote.
Mr. Trump thanked the US Secret Service and law enforcement for their quick response to the situation. He also sent his condolences to the families of the dead and injured.
“It is unbelievable that such an act could happen in our Country,” Mr. Trump wrote.
After being treated for an ear wound at a medical facility, Trump sent a short email to his supporters expressing his toughness. "This is a message from Donald Trump," the email read. "I will never surrender."
About five hours after being shot, Mr. Trump left the city of Butler, heading to the airport in nearby Pittsburgh under the escort of Secret Service and Pennsylvania state police.
The FBI has determined that this was an attempted assassination of former President Trump. The suspect is Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. The motive for the crime is currently unknown.
Source
![[Photo] Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chairs Government Conference with localities on economic growth](https://vstatic.vietnam.vn/vietnam/resource/IMAGE/2025/2/21/f34583484f2643a2a2b72168a0d64baa)
Comment (0)