• Politics

Washington, 14 jul (EFE).-

The Republican primary candidate and former president of the United States (2017-2021), Donald Trump, was evacuated from a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on Saturday, following a shooting incident in which he suffered injuries.

Moreover, one spectator was killed and two others suffered serious injuries, while the alleged shooter was neutralized by the security forces.

“During former President Trump’s campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, (…) a suspected shooter fired multiple shots toward the stage from an elevated position outside of the rally venue,” the US Secret Service said in a press statement.

“One spectator was killed, two spectators were critically injured,” the statement said, adding that “US Secret Service personnel neutralized the shooter who is now deceased.”

The Republican candidate was evacuated from the rally with traces of blood on his right ear, according to EFE staff at the scene.

The former president ducked as he was surrounded by security guards who quickly moved to evacuate him, and when he stood up he was seen raising his fist as the crowd chanted “USA.”

Trump was quickly whisked away by the Secret Service and his motorcade left the scene. He was then taken to a medical facility for treatment. and discharged after a few hours.

“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,” Trump said on social media platform Truth Social.

“I want to thank The United States Secret Service, and all of Law Enforcement, for their rapid response on the shooting,” he added and expressed his condolences towards the family of those killed and injured.

The presumptive Republican showed a chart and spoke about border-crossing when the bangs rang through the crowd.

Trump was seen reaching for his neck with his right hand. There appeared to be blood on his face.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said in a statement that it had “assumed the role of the lead federal law enforcement agency in the investigation of the incident,” and that their special agents had responded immediately, which included crisis response members and evidence response technicians.

FBI’s Special Agent in-charge of Pittsburgh FIeld Office, Kevin Rojek, addressing a press conference, termed the incident as a magnicide attempt.

The FBI has identified the shooter as Thomas Mathiew Crooks, a 20-year-old white male from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania.

However, it remains to be known whether he was acting as a “lone wolf” or had any accomplices, and the reason for his attack.

Local Pittsburgh media outlet WTAE reported that the shooter used an AR-15 rifle and fired eight shots before being killed by Secret Service agents.

The attack led to widespread condemnation and expressions of solidarity from across the country as well as abroad, among them, Trump’s rival in the presidential race and current President Joe Biden, former President Barack Obama, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, and several heads of states from around the world.

“I’m grateful to hear that he’s safe and doing well. I’m praying for him and his family and for all those who were at the rally,” Biden said in a statement by the White House.

“There’s no place for this kind of violence in America. We must unite as one nation to condemn it,” he added, while also thanking the Secret Service for “getting him to safety.”

White House officials said that Biden also had spoken with Trump over telephone and was continuously monitoring the situation.

The rally in Butler was held days before the Republican National Convention, scheduled to take place from Monday to Thursday in Milwaukee (Wisconsin), during which Trump is expected to be confirmed as the Republican candidate for the elections to the White House. EFE

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