Trump unhurt after shooting at rally, says bullet hit his ear; shooter and bystander dead

Former President Donald Trump was forced off the stage today after shots were fired at his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Trump said in a social media post that he was hurt when a bullet pierced the upper part of his right ear.

The Secret Service said Trump was now safe, and his campaign said he was being examined at a local hospital. Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr., told CBS News’ Robert Costa that his father was “doing well.”

The US secret service confirmed two people are dead – the shooter and a spectator – and two spectators were seriously injured.

“US intelligence officials neutralised the shooter, who is now dead,” the agency said.

Reporters heard numerous gunshots and the Secret Service stormed the stage. A video captured by CBS News shows Trump touching his ear and then crouching on the floor. Some blood was visible on his face.

Trump was taken away in a motorcade, raising a fist as he climbed into the SUV.

Authorities are investigating the shooting as an attempted murder, law enforcement sources told CBS News. The Secret Service is currently leading that investigation with assistance from the FBI, they said.

Law enforcement sources told CBS News that the suspect fired an AR-style rifle from a distance of 60 to 90 yards. The shooter was located on top of a shed outside of the security perimeter set up by the Secret Service, law enforcement sources said.

“The Secret Service has taken protective measures and the former president is safe,” Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said in a statement. “This is currently an active Secret Service investigation.”

In a second statement on Saturday evening, the agency provided further details:

“During former President Trump’s campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on the evening of July 13 at approximately 6:15 p.m., a suspected gunman fired several shots at the stage from an elevated position outside the venue. U.S. Secret Service personnel neutralized the gunman, who has since died. U.S. Secret Service quickly responded with protective measures and former President Trump is safe. One bystander was killed and two bystanders were seriously injured. This incident is currently under investigation. The Secret Service has notified the FBI.”

The Trump campaign said in a statement: “President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick response during this heinous act. He is doing well and is being evaluated at a local medical facility.”

In a post on Truth Social on Saturday evening, Trump went into detail about the incident and described his injuries:

“I want to thank the United States Secret Service and all law enforcement agencies for their quick response to the shooting in Butler, Pennsylvania. Most of all, I want to express my condolences to the family of the person killed at the rally, as well as the family of another person who was seriously injured. It is unbelievable that something like this can happen in our country. Nothing is known at this time about the shooter, who is now dead. I was hit by a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear. I knew immediately something was wrong because I heard a whooshing sound, gunshots, and immediately felt the bullet pierce the skin. There was severe bleeding, so I realized what was happening. GOD BLESS AMERICA!”

Trump’s motorcade left Butler Memorial Hospital shortly before 9:30 p.m. local time, two sources confirmed to CBS News. Where he was headed was unclear. He was originally scheduled to travel to his estate in Bedminster, New Jersey, before heading to Milwaukee for the Republican National Convention, which begins Monday.

Rep. Mike Kelley of Pennsylvania, who was backstage watching Trump speak, told CBS News, “I think a woman next to me was hit, and other people were hit.”

Another witness, Madison Brooks, said: “I was about five feet away from him, so within sight, so close, and all of a sudden I heard these four shots and everyone was yelling ‘fall down’ and you could see the blood splatter on his face. The Secret Service just barricaded him. It was just so scary.”

CBS News campaign reporter Jake Rosen interviewed an eyewitness with blood on his shirt who said he was an emergency medical technician performing CPR on a victim with a head injury.

“I heard the gunshots. At first I thought it was fireworks,” he said. “Someone over there was screaming that he had been shot. He had been shot. So I headed over there. I said I’m an EMT. Let me help you. The guy turned around and was trapped between the benches. He was shot in the head here. There’s a lot of blood there and he had brain matter there.”

The man said a helicopter was on the way to pick up the victim.

CBS reporter Ricky Sayer from Pittsburgh reported that a rescue helicopter landed at Allegheny General Hospital and one person was rushed to the hospital. The identity and condition of the person are unknown. Several police officers were spotted outside the hospital and a short time later another helicopter landed with a transport vehicle. A black SUV with police lights then pulled up next to the helipad.

President Biden addressed the nation around 8:15 p.m. ET. He said he had not spoken to Trump yet, but he was trying to reach him and hoped to speak to him tonight.

“There is no place for this kind of violence in America. It is sick. It is sick,” Biden said.

A reporter asked the president if he believed it was an assassination attempt.

“I don’t know enough to … I have an opinion, but I don’t have the facts,” Biden said. “So I want to make sure I have all the facts before I make any further comments.”

In a statement previously released by the White House, Biden said: “I have been informed of the shooting at Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania. I am grateful to hear that he is OK and safe. I am praying for him and his family and for everyone who was at the rally as we await further information. Jill and I are grateful to the Secret Service for getting him to safety. There is no place for this kind of violence in America. We must unite as a nation to condemn it.”

A Biden campaign official said the campaign is cutting off all outbound communications and working to stop its television advertising as quickly as possible.

Numerous other politicians from both sides of the aisle quickly condemned the attack.

Vice President Kamala Harris said in a statement: “Doug and I are relieved that he is not seriously injured. We are praying for him, his family, and all those injured or affected by this senseless shooting. … Violence like this has no place in our country. We must all condemn this heinous act and do our part to ensure that it does not lead to further violence.”

Rep. Nancy Pelosi tweeted: “As someone whose family has been a victim of political violence, I know firsthand that political violence of any kind has no place in our society. I thank God that former President Trump is safe. As we learn more details about this horrific incident, let us pray that all who attended the former President’s rally today remain unharmed.”

“Violence against political parties or political leaders is absolutely unacceptable,” Pennsylvania Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro said on X. “It has no place in Pennsylvania or the United States. I have been briefed on the situation. @PAStatePolice is on the ground in Butler County working with our federal and local partners.”

Donald Trump Jr. tweeted a photo of his father after the incident and wrote: “He will never stop fighting to save America.”

North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, who is being considered as a possible candidate for Trump’s vice presidential nomination, posted on social media: “Please join Kathryn and me in praying for President Trump, his family and everyone attending the rally today.”

Senator Marco Rubio of Florida, another potential vice presidential candidate, tweeted: “Praying for President Trump and everyone attending the rally in Pennsylvania today.”

Senator JD Vance of Ohio, also on the vice presidential list, wrote: “Please join me in praying for our President Trump and everyone who attended this rally. I hope everyone is well.”

CBS New York reports Security measures have been tightened at Trump Tower in Manhattan after the shooting at the rally.

This is a developing story, please check back later for updates.

Robert Costa, Pat Milton, Andy Triay, Arden Farhi, Fin Gomez, Aaron Navarro and other CBS News staff members contributed reporting.