Timeline of Trump rally shooting
Former President Trump was bloodied after a bullet pierced his ear at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday in what authorities are investigating as an assassination attempt.
The shooting took place shortly after Trump had taken the stage in Butler, a city roughly 30 miles north of Pittsburgh. The suspected shooter and one rally attendee were killed, according to law enforcement.
Here’s a timeline of what took place.
6:03 p.m. EDT Trump takes stage
Trump took to the stage to “God Bless the USA,” the Lee Greenwood track that plays at the beginning of each of his campaign events.
The former president stood on stage waving to the crowd until the song concluded at 6:05 p.m.
6:11 p.m. Shots ring out
Trump was speaking about the rise in border crossings under Biden’s watch when several gun shots rang out.
Trump was gesturing to a graphic on a video board showing a spike in border crossings in recent years, saying, “That chart’s a couple of months old. If you want to really see something that’s sad, take a look at what happened–.” At that point, shots rang out and Trump grabbed at his ear and neck area before dropping below the lectern.
Secret Service agents stormed the stage as more gunfire could be heard. Agents could be heard saying, “get down, get down, get down,” as attendees screamed.
Live updates: Trump says bullet grazed his ear; suspect is dead
6:12 p.m.: Trump escorted off stage
Law enforcement on stage could be heard through the microphone at the lectern giving instructions.
“Hold, hold,” one officer said.
“On you. Ready, move! Go,” another said.
Moments later, officers helped Trump to his feet and escorted him off stage. The former president was surrounded by agents. He had a bloody ear and blood smeared on his face and fist pumped to the crowd as agents took him away.
6:14 p.m. Trump motorcade departs
Trump’s motorcade departed the rally venue within minutes of shots ringing out.
6:42 p.m.: Secret Service and Trump campaign say Trump is safe
A spokesperson for the U.S. Secret Service issued a statement confirming “an incident” took place at the rally and that the former president “is safe.”
Within minutes, the Trump campaign issued a statement of its own saying Trump “is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility.”
7:24 p.m. Law enforcement confirms fatalities
The Butler County District Attorney told The Associated Press that the suspected shooter was dead and one rally attendee had been killed in the gunfire.
8:13 p.m. Biden statement
President Biden spoke on camera from Rehoboth Beach, Del., where he is spending the weekend.
In remarks that lasted two minutes, Biden said he’d tried to get in touch with Trump over the phone and hoped to speak with his political rival on Saturday night.
“Look, there’s no place in America for this kind of violence. It’s sick. It’s sick,” Biden said.
8:42 p.m.: Trump weighs in
Trump posted on Truth Social roughly two-and-a-half hours after the shooting took place, thanking law enforcement, expressing his condolences for the attendee who was killed and confirming he was shot in the ear.
“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,” Trump posted. “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. Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening. GOD BLESS AMERICA!”
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