'I WAS SHOT'
Donald Trump says he ‘felt bullet ripping through skin’ of his ear as sniper outside rally tried to assassinate him
Law enforcement chiefs confirmed they are treating the shooting as an assassination attempt on the former president
DONALD Trump has told how he felt a bullet rip through his skin during the assassination attempt against him at a rally in Pennsylvania.
said he immediately knew something was wrong as he hit the deck after a bullet pierced through the upper part of his right ear - leaving him with blood down his face.
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The former president thanked US Secret Service and law enforcement officials for their swift response to the gunfire on Saturday.
The 78-year-old broke his silence on Truth Social just hours after the shooting as he said: "I want to thank The United States Secret Service, and all of Law Enforcement for their rapid response on the shooting that just took place in Butler, Pennsylvania.
"Most importantly, I want to extend my condolences to the family of the person at the Rally who was killed, and also to the family of another person that was badly injured.
"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.
"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!"
Gunfire erupted at around 6:15 pm just minutes after Trump started to speak to his fans at a campaign event in Butler.
Shocking video caught the moment gunshots rang out from a nearby building as Trump was seen grimacing and grabbing his ear before he fell to the ground.
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Secret Service agents rushed to the stage, forming a human shield around the ex-president.
Blood was seen pouring from Trump's right ear as he stood up and defiantly raised his fist to the crowd before being bundled away from the stage by federal agents.
Nathan Rybner, a Republican committeeman from Erie County, Pennsylvania, said he was sitting in a section of seats to the right of where Trump was standing onstage and heard a series of loud pops that sounded like firecrackers.
“I heard what I thought was firecrackers. It did not sound like a typical gunshot," Rybner told .
A shocked eyewitness described in vivid detail how he claims to have seen a man with a rifle crawling on the roof of a nearby building.
The man told he alerted Secret Service agents of the worrying sight multiple times before the shots rang out.
I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin.
Donald Trump
Another eyewitness, an emergency room doctor in attendance at the rally, revealed how he performed CPR on a member of the crowd in the immediate aftermath of the shooting.
The man, who had blood splattered across his white USA shirt, said: "Somebody over there was screaming, 'He's been shot. He's been shot.'
"So I made my way over. I said 'I'm an emergency department physician. Let me help you'.
"The guy had spun around and was jammed between the benches and had a headshot here. There was lots of blood, and he had brain matter."
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'ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT'
Cops named the suspected shooter as Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania.
Crooks, 20, is said to have positioned himself on the roof of a manufacturing plant roughly 200 feet outside the rally zone.
He was later shot dead by counter-sniper officials who fired at him from the roof of another building nearby.
Officers said they are looking into the motive for the shooting.
The FBI released a statement during the early hours of Sunday saying: "The FBI has identified Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, as the subject involved in the assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump on 13 July, in Butler, Pennsylvania.
"This remains an active and ongoing investigation."
Anthony Guglielmi, chief of comms for the bureau, confirmed that Crooks was "neutralised" by Secret Service agents on the scene.
The FBI managed to identify Crooks through his DNA with officials saying he didn't have any ID on him when he was found.
An AR-15 was reportedly recovered near his body.
Photos circulating online of a man believed to be Crooks show him wearing a merchandise T-shirt linked to a YouTube channel devoted to guns called Demolition Ranch.
Verified by NBC, the pictures show him bleeding and surrounded by security agents.
TRUMP FAMILY SPEAKS OUT
The shooting has sent shockwaves across the country as lawmakers in major cities have increased police presence.
said his father is in "great spirits" and receiving medical assistance at a hospital.
"I just spoke to my father on the phone and he is in great spirits. He will never stop fighting to save America, no matter what the radical left throws at him," Don Jr. wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Eric Trump called his father the "toughest man I ever met," according to .
Ivanka Trump broke her silence hours after the shooting, writing on X, "Thank you for your love and prayers for my father and for the other victims of today's senseless violence in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Donald Trump Rally Shooting Timeline
Donald Trump was shot at his Pennsylvania rally on July 13.
1pm: Doors open at the Butler Farm Show grounds where Trump was expected to speak at 5pm.
4:11pm: Sean Parnell gave the opening speech.
4:35pm: David McCormick rallied the crowd.
5:30pm: Crowds were still waiting for Trump.
6:03pm: Trump takes the stage.
6:11pm: Gunshots were fired as Trump delivered remarks.
6:12pm: Trump was ushered off stage by Secret Service agents.
6:42pm: Secret Service confirmed Trump is safe.
7:24pm: The shooter and one rally attendee are confirmed dead by law enforcement officials.
8:42pm: Trump confirms he was shot in the ear, sharing a statement on Truth Social.
8:49pm: The Secret Service confirms the shooter and a rally attendee are dead. Two others remain critically injured.
"I am grateful to the Secret Service and all the other law enforcement officers for their quick and decisive actions today. I continue to pray for our country. I love you Dad, today and always.”
Tiffany Trump wrote, "The outpouring of love and support for my dad is deeply appreciated.
"Thank you God for keeping my father alive. Political violence is never the answer.
"God bless the secret service and law enforcement who fearlessly intervened. Please include the families of the victims in your prayers.
"As you saw today, my father is a fighter and he will continue to fight for you and the USA."
DONALD TRUMP TO ATTEND RNC
The Trump campaign said the former president is still expected to attend the National Convention on Tuesday, where he is expected to be named the party's official nominee for the upcoming presidential election.
"As was communicated earlier this evening, President Trump is doing well and grateful to law enforcement and first responders for their fast action," the campaign said in a statement.
"President Trump looks forward to joining you all in Milwaukee as we proceed with our convention to nominate him to serve as the 47th President of the United States.
"As our party's nominee, President Trump will continue to share his vision to Make America Great Again."
President Joe Biden addressed the American public from Rehoboth Beach in , where he is staying for the weekend, condemning the apparent assassination attempt and praising the quick work of the Secret Service.
"There's no place for this kind of violence in America," he said, adding, "It's sick, it's sick."
Biden said that he was in contact with the Secret Service and that he was hoping to speak to Donald Trump later this evening.
The president is set to return to ahead of schedule tonight following the shooting.
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Hours after his remarks, President Biden said he was able to communicate with Trump.
Details about what the two presidential candidates spoke about were not immediately released.
Donald Trump Rally Shooting Reaction
Dozens of politicians and celebrities have offered their support for the former president after he was reportedly grazed by gunfire at his Pennsylvania rally on July 13.
President Biden held a brief press conference just after 8 pm ET. He said he was hoping to speak to Trump.
"Look, there's no place in America for this kind of violence. It's sick," the president continued. "We cannot condone this."
Vice President Harris said she was "relieved" Trump was not seriously injured.
"Violence such as this has no place in our nation," she continued.
Former President Obama said on X: "There is absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy.
"Although we don’t yet know exactly what happened, we should all be relieved that former President Trump wasn’t seriously hurt, and use this moment to recommit ourselves to civility and respect in our politics. Michelle and I are wishing him a quick recovery.
Donald Trump, Jr shared a photo of his father raising a fist moments after he was shot with the caption: "He'll never stop fighting to Save America."
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr said: "Now is the time for every American who loves our country to step back from the division, renounce all violence, and unite in prayer for President Trump and his family."
Tesla CEO Elon Musk said: "I fully endorse President Trump and hope for his rapid recovery."
Britain's new Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer took to X to say: "I am appalled by the shocking scenes at President Trump's rally and we send him and his family our best wishes.
"Political violence in any form has no place in our societies and my thoughts are with all the victims of this attack."
Reform leader and newly elected MP Nigel Farage said it is a "miracle" that his friend is still alive.
Farage told Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips: "I was very upset when I heard the news late last night, Donald Trump survived by a miracle, frankly.
"But one innocent man is dead, two are fighting for their lives in hospital. It's horrible, and yet somehow not surprising."
Former PM Boris Johnson also gave his condolences to Trump and his family as he said it shows "the tragic fragility of democracy in the face of violence and unreason".
Ukrainian PM Volodymyr Zelensky, who has been a target for assassins in the past, also said he was "appalled" by the events in the US.
"Such violence has no justification and no place anywhere in the world. Never should violence prevail," he said on X.
"I extend my wishes for strength to everyone who is horrified by this event. I wish America emerges stronger from this."
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