Former President Donald Trump was shot in the ear during a Pennsylvania campaign rally. The incident, investigated as an assassination attempt, left one attendee dead and two injured. Trump emerged bloodied but defiant. Both parties condemned the violence. The shooting raises security concerns ahead of the November election.
On July 13, 2024, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump was shot in the ear during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
The incident occurred as Trump began his speech, with shots ringing out and the candidate grabbing his ear before dropping behind the podium. Secret Service agents quickly swarmed to protect him.
Trump emerged about a minute later with blood on his face, pumping his fist and mouthing "Fight! Fight! Fight!" before being rushed to a vehicle.
He later posted on social media that a bullet had pierced his ear, causing significant bleeding.
The suspected shooter was killed, while one rally attendee died and two others were injured. The FBI is investigating the incident as an assassination attempt. Law enforcement has tentatively identified the suspect but has not released details publicly.
The shooting raises questions about potential security lapses, as it appears the shots came from outside the area secured by the Secret Service. Some witnesses reported seeing a man with a rifle on a nearby roof before the attack.
Both Republican and Democratic leaders quickly condemned the violence. President Biden called for national unity in response to the incident. Trump's campaign stated he was "doing well" following the attack.
The shooting occurs less than four months before the November 5 election, where Trump is set to face Biden in a rematch of their 2020 contest. It marks the first shooting of a U.S. president or major party candidate since the 1981 attempted assassination of Ronald Reagan.
The incident has heightened concerns about political violence in the U.S., with recent polls showing many Americans worried about potential unrest surrounding the upcoming election.
