Video captured the moment Donald Trump was wounded after gunshots were fired during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on Saturday.
The case is now being investigated as an attempted assassination, law enforcement officials said.
Trump was showing a chart of border crossings on stage when loud bangs were heard and he suddenly grabbed his ear and the right side of his neck. The sound of shots continued as Trump quickly dropped to the floor and audience members were heard screaming.
Security agents rushed the stage and covered Trump as thousands of attendees looked on. The sounds of gunshots continued as the agents were still tending to Trump.
After a moment, with a group of agents creating a shield around him, Trump stood up and blood could be seen on his face.
Before being led off the stage, pumped his fist and the crowds began cheering.
He was led to his motorcade and transported away from the fairgrounds. A local prosecutor later said the suspected gunman and at least one attendee were killed during the incident. A third attendee was injured but survived.
Police began vacating the fairgrounds shortly after. The Secret Service said in a statement that “the former President is safe.”
Officials told The Associated Press that the shooter was not a rally attendee and was killed by U.S. Secret Service agents.
In a statement posted to Truth Social, Trump released a statement saying in part:
“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.”
Trump’s spokesperson, Steven Cheung, said the former president “Thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act. Cheung added, “He is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility.”
President Biden condemned the shooting and said he was grateful that Trump was safe.
“I’m grateful to hear that he’s safe and doing well,” Biden said in a statement shortly after he was briefed on the incident. “I’m praying for him and his family and for all those who were at the rally, as we await further information. Jill and I are grateful to the Secret Service for getting him to safety. There’s no place for this kind of violence in America.”
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said in a statement on X that he had been briefed on the situation and Pennsylvania state police were at the rally site.
“Violence targeted at any political party or political leader is absolutely unacceptable,” he said. “It has no place in Pennsylvania or the United States.”
Trump’s Pennsylvania event was his last rally before the Republican National Convention opens on July 15.
Footage of the incident can be viewed in the video player above.