|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
By: JACQUELINE DESROSIERS
BUTLER, PA- Former President Donald Trump was taken off the stage at a rally in Butler, Pa., Saturday after what sounded like multiple shots were fired.
Trump reached for what appeared to be his ear or neck as Secret Service members jumped to the stage and surrounded him, leading him away. Photos and video showed blood on Trump’s ear and face as he was removed from the stage.
A spokesman later said the former president is “fine and being checked out at a local medical facility.”
“President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act,” Trump spokesman Steven Cheung said.
Trump was conscious in the immediate aftermath and pumped his fist in the air several times, attempting to rally the crowd, before agents escorted him away to the motorcade. The Secret Service counterassault team immediately took the stage in heavy armor to look for the attacker.
U.S. Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said on Twitter that the Secret Service has “implemented protective measures and the former President is safe.”
Guglielmi added that the incident is now the subject of an active Secret Service investigation, and the agency will release further information when it becomes available.
President Biden received an initial briefing on the incident, the White House said.
Witnesses said they heard what sounded like multiple gunshots fired about 10 minutes into Trump’s remarks at a fairgrounds about 35 miles north of Pittsburgh.
“I saw Trump go down, but then I saw him get up, and he raised his hand that he was OK,” said Mark McEvoy, 50, of Weirton, W.Va. McAvoy said he thought he heard between 8 and 10 shots.
According to the Butler County District Attorney, one shooter is in custody, and another is dead.
