Former US President Donald Trump was dramatically whisked off stage after gunfire erupted during his rally in Pennsylvania, turning a routine political event into a scene straight out of an action movie.
Footage captures the moment Trump, 77, winced and raised a hand to his right ear before ducking down as several shots rang out. US Secret Service agents swiftly surrounded him and hustled him off stage to a waiting vehicle, with Trump raising a defiant fist as he was bundled away.
Bullet Grazes Trump’s Ear
In a post on his Truth Social network, Trump revealed that a bullet had pierced the upper part of his right ear. “I knew immediately something was wrong. I heard a whizzing sound and felt the bullet rip through my skin,” Trump wrote. “Much bleeding took place.”
His spokesperson confirmed that Trump was receiving treatment at a local medical center. Blood was visibly streaming from his ear and face as he was rushed away by his protection detail.
Shooter Identified
The FBI identified the shooter as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. The gunman was shot dead at the scene by Secret Service officers. Agency spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi confirmed the death of a bystander and critical injuries to two others.
Law enforcement sources told CBS News that Crooks had been armed with a rifle and fired from an elevated structure outside the venue. The motive for the shooting remains unclear, with the FBI treating it as an assassination attempt.
Rally Turns to Chaos
Trump had just begun addressing his supporters in Butler, Pennsylvania—a key swing state—when the shots rang out. Witnesses described a scene of chaos as people ducked for cover. Greg, a rally attendee, told the BBC he saw a suspicious person “bear crawling” on a nearby rooftop with a rifle. “We were pointing at him, yelling to the police, but they didn’t seem to know what was going on,” Greg said.
Another attendee, Tim, described a “barrage of shots” and chaos as the speaker system collapsed. “We saw President Trump go to the ground and everyone started dropping. It was mayhem.”
Political and International Reactions
President Joe Biden condemned the attack, calling it “sick” and stating, “There’s no place in America for this kind of violence.” Biden reportedly spoke with Trump following the incident. Politicians from both sides of the aisle joined in condemning the violence. Former President Barack Obama said, “There is absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy.”
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also expressed their shock and condemnation.
Speculations and Blame Game
Trump, who is in a tight contest with President Biden for the upcoming election, was set to accept his party’s nomination in Milwaukee on Monday. Some Republicans were quick to blame Biden, accusing him of inciting violence. Senator JD Vance claimed Biden’s campaign rhetoric directly led to the incident, while Congressman Mike Collins accused the president of “inciting an assassination.”
The dramatic turn of events has not only shaken Trump’s campaign but also raised serious concerns about security at political events in the volatile lead-up to the election. As investigations continue, one thing is clear: the stakes have never been higher.
