Former President Donald Trump was evacuated from the stage with blood visible on the side of his head after shots were fired at his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday evening.
Trump is safe and expected to survive, according to senior law enforcement officials briefed on the situation.
The Butler County District Attorney’s office reported that one spectator was killed and another was seriously injured in the incident. The shooter is deceased, NBC News reported.
Trump was just minutes into his speech when he appeared to reach for his face as popping sounds echoed through the venue. Secret Service agents immediately surrounded him, and he was quickly escorted off stage, flanked by security personnel.
As Trump left the stage, he raised his fists in the air to the cheering crowd.
Reporters on the scene initially mistook the sounds for fireworks before realizing the severity of the situation. Smoke filled the air as the crowd reacted in panic, with screams echoing through the venue.
“This is now an active Secret Service investigation and further information will be released when available,” agency spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi stated.
Trump’s spokesperson, Steven Cheung, expressed gratitude for the rapid response by law enforcement and first responders.
“He is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility,” Cheung said. “More details will follow.”
