Jump to content

Attempted assassination of Donald Trump

Coordinates: 40°51′25.3″N 79°58′15.6″W / 40.857028°N 79.971000°W / 40.857028; -79.971000
Extended-protected article
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Staraction (talk | contribs) at 03:44, 14 July 2024 (→‎Federal officials: tense alignment). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Shooting at a Donald Trump rally
Map
LocationButler Farm Show Grounds
Connoquenessing Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Coordinates40°51′26″N 79°58′16″W / 40.8571223°N 79.9711779°W / 40.8571223; -79.9711779
DateJuly 13, 2024 (2024-07-13)
6:11 p.m. (35 days ago)[1] (EDT)
Attack type
Shooting, assassination attempt[2][3][4]
WeaponAR-15–style rifle
Deaths2 (the perpetrator and a rally attendee)[5]
Injured3+ (including Donald Trump)[6]

On July 13, 2024, former United States president Donald Trump was shot in the right ear during an attempted assassination at a rally in Connoquenessing Township, west of Butler, Pennsylvania.[7][8][9] Law enforcement and witnesses stated that the suspected shooter fired from a roof outside the rally venue using an AR-15–style rifle, before being killed by the Secret Service counter-assault team.[10]

Trump was shot in the upper right ear and was quickly surrounded by the Secret Service; he pumped his fist in the air for multiple seconds before being rushed to a vehicle.[11][12] He was then sent to the hospital in stable condition.[13][14] Federal and local officials reported that the suspected shooter and a rally attendee were killed, while two attendees were critically injured.[5][7]

The shooting is being investigated as an attempted assassination.[7] This would mark the first time that a former or current U.S. president or presidential candidate was injured in an attempted assassination since then-incumbent president Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981.[15]

Background

At the time of the incident, former president Donald Trump was the presumptive Republican presidential nominee for the 2024 United States presidential election.[16]

According to The New York Times, a nationwide poll of political violence conducted by political scientist Robert Pape revealed that "10 percent of those surveyed said that the 'use of force is justified to prevent Donald Trump from becoming president.' A third of those who gave that answer also said they owned a gun".[7]

Trump's rallies are screened for prohibited items, including weapons.[17] Butler County Republican Committee chairman James E. Hulings estimated 50,000 people were at the rally.[18] It was held as part of his presidential campaign for the election in order to raise votes in the swing state of Pennsylvania.[19] The shooting occurred two days before the scheduled start of the Republican National Convention.

Shooting

A map diagram illustrating the approximate locations of the attacker, Donald Trump, and the Secret Service Counter Assault Team[20][21]

At approximately 6:11 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, gunshots were heard at a Donald Trump rally in Connoquenessing Township west of Meridian, Pennsylvania,[22][23] six minutes into Trump's speech.[24] At least three rallygoers were hit, leaving one person dead and two in critical condition.[25] Blood was visible in the left-hand bleachers at the venue.[26] The alleged shooter did not undergo security screening as they were outside the security perimeter of the rally on an elevated position, and they were killed by a United States Secret Service Counter Assault Team sniper soon after the shooting.[27][28] The alleged shooter's body was discovered on a rooftop of a building a couple hundred feet away from Trump.[29]

Secret Service agents lunged toward Trump and shielded him. After around 25 seconds on the ground,[24] he got up, and, with blood on his face, raised and pumped his fist at the crowd. He was then escorted to a vehicle.[30] A spokesman for the Secret Service confirmed that "an incident occurred" and affirmed that Trump was "safe".[31] He was shortly afterwards examined at a local medical facility, according to campaign spokesman Steven Cheung, who also affirmed that Trump was "fine".[32] Trump later stated on Truth Social that he "was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of [his] right ear".[33]

Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-Texas) told Fox News that his nephew was shot in the neck.[34] According to Goldinger, authorities have yet to determine the shooter's identity.[35]

According to the Secret Service, an AR-15 style rifle was used in the shooting.[36]

Aftermath

Trump via Secret Service escort was immediately rushed to Butler Memorial Hospital for examination where he and his motorcade were later observed leaving around 9:30 PM local time bound for Pittsburgh.[37]

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is leading an investigation with the Department of Justice, the United States Secret Service, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.[38][39] The incident is being investigated as an assassination attempt.[15][40] It is the first time a current or former U.S. president or presidential candidate has been shot since Ronald Reagan in 1981.[15]

After the shooting, Trump made a statement on Truth Social where he thanked law enforcement and secret service and offered his condolences to the families of the person killed and the injured person.[41][42] Recounting the events he said "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. 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."[43]

Trump raising his fist and shouting, with blood on his ear, while being carried by Secret Service agents. There is an American flag nearby in the background.
Evan Vucci's photograph showing a bloodied Donald Trump being escorted away by Secret Service agents immediately after the shooting
An editor has nominated the above file for discussion of its purpose and/or potential deletion. You are welcome to participate in the discussion and help reach a consensus.

Security at Trump Tower was increased by the New York City Police Department.[44]

An image of a bloodied Trump pumping his fist in the air taken by Evan Vucci of the Associated Press was spread on social media shortly afterwards.[45] Politico called it "an opportunity to tout conspiracy theories and stoke political tensions" by many, and observed subsequent, widespread usage in posts by his most prominent allies, including the National Republican Senatorial Committee.[46] Benjamin Wallace-Wells of The New Yorker said that "It is already the indelible image of our era of political crisis and conflict." He analyzed that "some of the elements in Vucci's image are familiar from the countless others of Trump" and concluded that "It is an image that captures him as he would like to be seen, so perfectly, in fact, that it may outlast all the rest."[47]

Federal investigators have tentatively identified the subject as an approximately 20-year old white male from Pennsylvania.[48]

Responses

Domestic

Federal officials

U.S. President Joe Biden delivering remarks on the incident

After the shooting, United States President Joe Biden issued a speech condemning any political violence and stated he was grateful to hear Donald Trump was safe. [49][50][51]

State officials

Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro denounced political violence.[52][53] Florida governor Ron DeSantis, who ran against Trump in the 2024 Republican primaries, stated he and his wife were praying for him.[54]

Others

Former President George W. Bush called the shooting "cowardly" and applauded the Secret Service for their response.[55] Former President Barack Obama tweeted "There is absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy" and wished Trump a quick recovery.[56] Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State and 2016 Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton also condemned the attack.[57]

Republican U.S. Representative Mike Collins of Georgia called for a Republican prosecutor to charge President Joe Biden "for inciting an assassination", with Collins publicly accusing Biden of having "sent the orders", citing a quote by Biden to political donors earlier that week as reported by Politico: "we’re done talking about the debate, it’s time to put Trump in a bullseye."[58] Republican Senator J. D. Vance of Ohio blamed the Biden presidential campaign's political rhetoric, while Republican Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina blamed messaging by "the radical Left and corporate media".[59]

International

Many incumbent and former world leaders offered their solidarity with Trump after the incident.[60][61][62][63]

See also

References

  1. ^ Nolfi, Joey (July 13, 2024). "Donald Trump grazed by gunfire at rally in Pennsylvania Archived July 14, 2024, at the Wayback Machine". Entertainment Weekly.
  2. ^ "Trump shot in ear in rally assassination attempt". BBC. July 13, 2024. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
  3. ^ "Trump wounded in assassination attempt. Biden calls it 'sick': Here's what we know". USA Today. July 13, 2024. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
  4. ^ "Australian PM says 'no place for violence in democratic process' after Trump assassination attempt". The Guardian. July 13, 2024. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
  5. ^ a b Yee, Curtis; Santana, Rebecca; Whitehurst, Lindsay; Orsi, Peter. "Live updates: Shooter dead, rally attendee killed and Trump whisked off stage after gunshots ring out at rally". Associated Press. Archived from the original on July 13, 2024. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
  6. ^ Levien, Simon J. (July 13, 2024). "Report From the Scene: 'Get Down! Shots Fired!'". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on July 13, 2024. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
  7. ^ a b c d Barnes, Julian E.; Gold, Michael; Levien, Simon J. (July 13, 2024). "Live Updates: Trump 'Safe' After Shooting at Rally; Suspect Killed". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on July 13, 2024. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
  8. ^ "Trump shot in right ear at campaign rally, shooter dead". Reuters.
  9. ^ "Chaos, fear after shots fired at Trump campaign rally". www.butlereagle.com. Retrieved July 14, 2024.
  10. ^ Tanyos, Faris (July 13, 2024). "Trump rally shooter killed by Secret Service sniper, officials say - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. Archived from the original on July 14, 2024. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
  11. ^ Layne, Nathan; Mcdermid, Brendan; Mason, Jeff (July 13, 2024). "Trump shot in right ear at campaign rally, shooter dead". Reuters. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
  12. ^ Gold, Michael; Barnes, Julian E.; Levien, Simon J. (July 13, 2024). "Live Updates: Trump 'Safe' After Shooting at Rally; Suspected Gunman Killed". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved July 14, 2024.
  13. ^ Hayes, Christal. "Trump, with blood on face, raises fist in air". BBC. Archived from the original on July 14, 2024. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
  14. ^ "Live updates: Trump says he was shot in the ear during rally; one attendee and shooter are dead". AP News. Archived from the original on July 13, 2024. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
  15. ^ a b c Colvin, Jill (July 13, 2024). "Shooting at Trump rally is being investigated as assassination attempt, AP sources say". AP News. Archived from the original on July 13, 2024. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
  16. ^ Kinnard, Meg (March 13, 2024). "Biden and Trump are now their parties' presumptive nominees. What does that mean?". AP News. Archived from the original on July 11, 2024. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
  17. ^ Gold, Michael; Levien, Simon; Robertson, Campbell (July 13, 2024). "Trump 'Safe' After What Sounded Like Gunshots at Rally". The New York Times. Archived from the original on July 13, 2024. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
  18. ^ Vigdor, Neil. "Some people who were in the crowd described the evacuation of the rally as a logistical nightmare". The New York Times. Archived from the original on July 14, 2024. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
  19. ^ O'Donoghue, Gary; Murphy, Matt (July 13, 2024). "Trump rushed off stage at rally as shots heard". BBC News. Archived from the original on July 13, 2024. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
  20. ^ Abraham, Leanne; Kim, June; Shao, Elena; Shaver, Julie Walton; Singhvi, Anjali; Triebert, Christiaan; Yourish, Karen (July 13, 2024). "Shooting at a Trump Rally in Pennsylvania: Maps and Photos". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on July 14, 2024. Retrieved July 14, 2024.
  21. ^ "Trump injured, rushed from stage after shooter fired on his Pennsylvania rally". NBC News. July 13, 2024. Archived from the original on July 14, 2024. Retrieved July 14, 2024.
  22. ^ "Gunshots reportedly fired at Donald Trump rally – as former president rushed off stage". Sky News. Archived from the original on July 13, 2024. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
  23. ^ "Trump rushed off stage at Pennsylvania rally as loud noises heard". BBC. Archived from the original on July 13, 2024. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
  24. ^ a b Layne, Nathan; Larson, Soren (July 13, 2024). "Pop, pop, pop, then a bloodied Trump rushed from election rally". Reuters. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
  25. ^ "Update from Michael Gold". The New York Times. July 13, 2024. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on July 13, 2024. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
  26. ^ Gold, Michael; Levien, Simon J.; Robertson, Campbell (July 13, 2024). "Live Election Updates: Trump 'Safe' After What Sounded Like Gunshots at Rally". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on July 13, 2024. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
  27. ^ Stein, Chris; Lawther, Fran (July 13, 2024). "Trump rally shooting being investigated as assassination attempt; Biden says 'everybody must condemn' political violence – latest". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on July 14, 2024. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
  28. ^ Watson, Kathryn (July 13, 2024). "Trump says bullet "pierced the upper part of my right ear" when shots were fired at Pennsylvania rally - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved July 14, 2024.
  29. ^ Abraham, Leanne; Kim, June; Shao, Elena; Shaver, Julie Walton; Singhvi, Anjali; Triebert, Christiaan; Yourish, Karen (July 13, 2024). "Shooting at a Trump Rally in Pennsylvania: Diagrams, Maps and Photos". The New York Times. Archived from the original on July 14, 2024. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
  30. ^ Lawther, Fran (July 13, 2024). "Donald Trump rushed off stage at rally after sound of gunshots ring out – live updates". The Guardian. Archived from the original on July 14, 2024. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
  31. ^ null (July 13, 2024). "Update from Michael Gold". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on July 13, 2024. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
  32. ^ Gold, Michael (July 13, 2024). "Steven Cheung, a Trump spokesman, said former President Donald J. Trump is "fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility."". The New York Times. Archived from the original on July 14, 2024. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
  33. ^ Colvin, Jill; Smyth, Julie Carr; Long, Colleen; Tucker, Eric; Balsamo, Michael; Price, Michelle L. (July 13, 2024). "Shooting at Trump rally is being investigated as assassination attempt, AP sources say". AP News. Archived from the original on July 13, 2024. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
  34. ^ McGraw, Meridith; Allison, Natalie (July 13, 2024). "Trump 'felt the bullet ripping through the skin' during campaign rally shooting". Politico. Archived from the original on July 13, 2024. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
  35. ^ Powell, Tori B.; Shelton, Shania; Meyer, Matt; D'Antonio, Isabelle; Tucker, Emma; Yeung, Jessie (July 13, 2024). "Live updates: Trump injured in shooting at Pennsylvania rally that left at least 1 dead | CNN Politics". CNN. Archived from the original on July 13, 2024. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
  36. ^ Katersky, Aaron. "Trump rally shooter used AR-15-style rifle, Secret Service says". ABC News. Archived from the original on July 14, 2024. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
  37. ^ Rinaldi, Olivia; MacFarlene, Scott; Rosen, Jacob; Sgana, Nicole; Tabachnick, Cara. "Trump safe after rally shooting, says bullet struck his ear; gunman and audience member dead". CBS News. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
  38. ^ "FBI Statement on Incident in Butler, Pennsylvania". Federal Bureau of Investigation. Archived from the original on July 14, 2024. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
  39. ^ "The Secret Service is leading the response". The New York Times. Archived from the original on July 14, 2024. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
  40. ^ Smith, David; Vargas, Ramon Antonio (July 13, 2024). "Trump rally shooting being investigated as suspected attempt on his life". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on July 14, 2024. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
  41. ^ Miller, Hayley (July 13, 2024). "Trump says bullet 'pierced' his ear in first statement after rally shooting". MSNBC. Archived from the original on July 14, 2024. Retrieved July 14, 2024.
  42. ^ Gold, Michael (July 13, 2024). "Trump, on Social Media, Describes Being 'Shot With a Bullet' in the Ear". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on July 14, 2024. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
  43. ^ Tangcay, Jazz (July 13, 2024). "Donald Trump Says Bullet Pierced His Ear: I Felt It 'Ripping Through the Skin'". Variety. Archived from the original on July 14, 2024. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
  44. ^ Houlis, Katie (July 13, 2024). "Security increased at Trump Tower in NYC after shots fired at Trump rally in Pennsylvania". CBS News New York. Archived from the original on July 14, 2024. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
  45. ^ Frazier, Kierra; Herszenhorn, Miles J. (July 13, 2024). "Photo of bloodied Trump fist pumping immediately spotlighted by his allies". POLITICO. Retrieved July 14, 2024.
  46. ^ https://www.politico.com/news/2024/07/13/republicans-back-trump-by-sharing-a-bloody-photo-of-the-former-president-00167980
  47. ^ Wallace-Wells, Benjamin. "The Attempt on Donald Trump's Life and an Image That Will Last". The New Yorker.
  48. ^ "Federal Investigators have Tentatively Identified Trump Shooter". NBC News. July 13, 2024.
  49. ^ Baker, Peter (July 13, 2024). "Biden Condemns Shooting at Trump Rally, Calling it 'Sick'". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on July 14, 2024. Retrieved July 14, 2024.
  50. ^ Schneider, Elena; Ward, Myah (July 13, 2024). "Biden: 'There's no place for this kind of violence in America'". Politico. Archived from the original on July 14, 2024. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
  51. ^ Arkin, Daniel; Shabad, Rebecca (July 13, 2024). "Biden and other political leaders condemn violence after incident at Trump rally". NBC News. Archived from the original on July 14, 2024. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
  52. ^ Santana, Rebecca; Whitehurst, Lindsay; Orsi, Peter (July 13, 2024). "Pennsylvania governor condemns violence against any political party or leader". Associated Press. Archived from the original on July 13, 2024. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
  53. ^ Vigdor, Neil (July 13, 2024). "Gov. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, a harsh critic of Donald J. Trump who was the target of a kidnapping plot, condemned the violence on Saturday". The New York Times. Archived from the original on July 14, 2024. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
  54. ^ Morgenstern, Hans (July 13, 2024). "Florida politicians on Trump assassination attempt". WINK News. Archived from the original on July 14, 2024. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
  55. ^ Byrnes, Jesse (July 13, 2024). "George W. Bush condemns 'cowardly attack' at Trump rally". The Hill. Archived from the original on July 13, 2024. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
  56. ^ Samuels, Brett (July 13, 2024). "Obama condemns apparent shooting at Trump rally, wishes former president 'quick recovery'". The Hill. Retrieved July 14, 2024.
  57. ^ Popli, Nik (July 14, 2024). "Politicians Condemn Trump Rally Shooting: 'No Place for Political Violence in Our Democracy'". TIME. Retrieved July 14, 2024.
  58. ^ Schulz, Bailey (July 14, 2024). "Republicans blame Joe Biden for Donald Trump rally shooting". USA TODAY. Retrieved July 14, 2024.
  59. ^ Scherer, Michael (July 13, 2024). "Trump allies immediately blame Biden, Democrats for their rhetoric". Washington Post. Retrieved July 14, 2024.
  60. ^ Mangione, Kendra (July 13, 2024). "'Democracy must prevail': Shooting at Trump rally condemned by Trudeau, Poilievre". CTV News. Archived from the original on July 14, 2024. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
  61. ^ Orbán, Viktor [@PM_ViktorOrban] (July 13, 2024). "My thoughts and prayers are with President @realDonaldTrump in these dark hours" (Tweet). Retrieved July 14, 2024 – via Twitter.
  62. ^ "Estados Unidos. La reacción de Javier Milei tras el ataque a Donald Trump". La Voz (in Spanish). July 13, 2024. Archived from the original on July 14, 2024. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
  63. ^ Starmer, Keir [@Keir_Starmer] (July 14, 2024). "I am appalled by the shocking scenes at President Trump's rally and we send him and his family our best wishes. Political violence in any form has no place in our societies and my thoughts are with all the victims of this attack" (Tweet). Retrieved July 14, 2024 – via Twitter.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Attempted_assassination_of_Donald_Trump&oldid=1234393651"