Trump shooting being investigated as attempted assassination

Former US President Donald Trump was injured in a shooting Saturday evening during his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The shooting is being investigated as an attempted assassination, CNN reports citing law enforcement officials.

A gunman and at least one audience member are dead, the Secret Service said, and two other attendees are critically injured.

Trump said on social media that he was shot and hit by a bullet in the “upper part of my right ear.” The Secret Service said the former president is safe after he was rushed off the rally stage with blood on his face. A spokesperson said Trump is “fine” after the “heinous act.”

The Secret Service said the shooter fired multiple shots from an “elevated position” outside of the Trump rally before he was killed by agents. Law enforcement sources told CNN the shooter was on a building rooftop just outside the rally venue. 

An eyewitness outside the rally where former President Donald Trump was injured in a shooting said he saw the gunman climb up a roof and tried to warn police.

“We noticed the guy crawling, bear crawling, up the roof of the building beside us, 50 feet away from us,” the witness told BBC News on Saturday after the incident.

“We’re standing there, we’re pointing at the guy crawling up the roof. … We can clearly see him with a rifle,” he said. He added that they notified police in the vicinity and that officers “didn’t know what was going on.”

CNN could not independently verify his account.

John Miller, CNN chief law enforcement and intelligence analyst, said the testimony raises many “serious questions.”

President Joe Biden denounced the violence in remarks Saturday night and said in a statement earlier that he’s “grateful” Trump is safe.

Trump’s daughter Ivanka has released a statement on X, thanking law enforcement for their swift response. 

“Thank you for your love and prayers for my father and for the other victims of today’s senseless violence in Butler, Pennsylvania. I am grateful to the Secret Service and all the other law enforcement officers for their quick and decisive actions today. I continue to pray for our country. 

I love you Dad, today and always,” she wrote.

International leaders are writing messages of support on social media after former President Donald Trump was injured at a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: “Sara and I were shocked by the apparent attack on President Trump. We pray for his safety and speedy.”

Honduran President Xiomara Castro de Zelaya: “Violence generates more violence. I am sorry for what is happening in the United States electoral process. My solidarity with @realDonaldTrump.”

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán: “My thoughts and prayers are with President @realDonaldTrump in these dark hours.” 

The UK prime minister’s office: “We are shocked by the scenes at President Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania. We condemn all forms of political violence in the strongest terms and we send our best wishes to President Trump and his family at this time.”

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida: “We must stand firm against any form of violence that challenges democracy. I pray for former President Trump’s speedy recovery.”

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell Fontelles: “Shocked by the news of the attack on President Trump, which I strongly condemn. Once again, we are witnessing unacceptable acts of violence against political representatives.”