ReutersUS secret service officials on Sunday said that they are investigating a shooting at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, as an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. The incident resulted in the deaths of one rally attendee and the suspected gunman, and left two other spectators critically injured, according to the Secret Service.
Kevin Rojek, a special agent with the FBI's Pittsburgh field office, stated at a news conference that investigators are "working tirelessly" to uncover the shooter's motive. He noted that they were not yet ready to identify the suspected gunman or speculate on his reasons for the attack.
The attack has raised serious concerns about the security protocols in place for protecting Trump, who, as a former president and a current presidential candidate, is primarily guarded by the Secret Service. Republican lawmakers have vowed to launch swift investigations into how the shooter managed to evade Secret Service agents, climb onto a nearby rooftop, and fire multiple shots before being neutralized.
Early media reports suggest that the shooter was outside the security perimeter of the rally venue. One witness interviewed by the BBC claimed he had tried to alert both the police and the Secret Service about a suspicious individual on a nearby roof but was unable to prompt a timely response.
Supporters of Trump have been vocal in their criticism of the Secret Service. Elon Musk, a prominent ally of Trump, called for the agency's leadership to resign. Conservative activist Jack Posobiec questioned on social media how a sniper with a full rifle kit could get so close to a presidential nominee.
The FBI's special agent in charge of the Pittsburgh field office, Kevin Rojek, emphasized the gravity of the situation, labeling it as "an assassination attempt" during a press conference. He reiterated that the investigation was ongoing and that the crime scene remained active.
House Speaker Mike Johnson announced on social media that the House would call for Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle and other relevant officials from the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI to testify before congressional committees as soon as possible.
During the rally, after the apparent gunshots, Trump was seen bleeding from his ear and was quickly escorted off the stage by security agents. He was later rushed to a hospital. On his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump confirmed he had been "shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear" and thanked law enforcement for their quick response.
President Joe Biden condemned the violence in a brief televised statement, describing the attack as "sick." The White House later confirmed that Biden had spoken with Trump. Law enforcement officials recovered an AR-15-type semiautomatic rifle from the scene, believed to belong to the deceased shooter.
In his post on Truth Social, Trump expressed his gratitude to the law enforcement officers and offered condolences to the family of the spectator who had been killed. He described the moment of the shooting, recounting how he "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."
The Secret Service and other law enforcement agencies have not publicly confirmed the specifics of Trump's injury, only stating that shots were fired and that the former president is "safe."
Kevin Rojek, a special agent with the FBI's Pittsburgh field office, stated at a news conference that investigators are "working tirelessly" to uncover the shooter's motive. He noted that they were not yet ready to identify the suspected gunman or speculate on his reasons for the attack.
The attack has raised serious concerns about the security protocols in place for protecting Trump, who, as a former president and a current presidential candidate, is primarily guarded by the Secret Service. Republican lawmakers have vowed to launch swift investigations into how the shooter managed to evade Secret Service agents, climb onto a nearby rooftop, and fire multiple shots before being neutralized.
Early media reports suggest that the shooter was outside the security perimeter of the rally venue. One witness interviewed by the BBC claimed he had tried to alert both the police and the Secret Service about a suspicious individual on a nearby roof but was unable to prompt a timely response.
Supporters of Trump have been vocal in their criticism of the Secret Service. Elon Musk, a prominent ally of Trump, called for the agency's leadership to resign. Conservative activist Jack Posobiec questioned on social media how a sniper with a full rifle kit could get so close to a presidential nominee.
The FBI's special agent in charge of the Pittsburgh field office, Kevin Rojek, emphasized the gravity of the situation, labeling it as "an assassination attempt" during a press conference. He reiterated that the investigation was ongoing and that the crime scene remained active.
House Speaker Mike Johnson announced on social media that the House would call for Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle and other relevant officials from the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI to testify before congressional committees as soon as possible.
During the rally, after the apparent gunshots, Trump was seen bleeding from his ear and was quickly escorted off the stage by security agents. He was later rushed to a hospital. On his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump confirmed he had been "shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear" and thanked law enforcement for their quick response.
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President Joe Biden condemned the violence in a brief televised statement, describing the attack as "sick." The White House later confirmed that Biden had spoken with Trump. Law enforcement officials recovered an AR-15-type semiautomatic rifle from the scene, believed to belong to the deceased shooter.
In his post on Truth Social, Trump expressed his gratitude to the law enforcement officers and offered condolences to the family of the spectator who had been killed. He described the moment of the shooting, recounting how he "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."
The Secret Service and other law enforcement agencies have not publicly confirmed the specifics of Trump's injury, only stating that shots were fired and that the former president is "safe."
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