Trump Assassination Attempt: Former President Wounded in Ear, One Spectator Killed and Two Critically Injured
Donald Trump has returned to his home in New Jersey after he was injured in an attempted assassination at a rally on July 13.
Shots rang out as the Republican candidate was speaking at an event in Pennsylvania, sparking panic in the crowd as Secret Service agents swarmed the former president.
Donald Trump, who emerged with a bloodied face, says he was shot in the ear, describing a “whizzing sound” and feeling a “bullet ripping through skin”.
The FBI has identified the gunman as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks – he was shot and killed by the Secret Service.
One spectator was killed at the rally and two others were critically injured.
After the shooting, President Joe Biden released a statement, expressing concern about the “sick” assassination attempt and saying he was “grateful” to hear that Donald Trump was safe.
“I have been briefed on the shooting at Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania. I’m grateful to hear that he’s safe and doing well,” Joe Biden said.
“I’m praying for him and his family and for all those who were at the rally, as we await further information. Jill and I are grateful to the Secret Service for getting him to safety.
“There’s no place for this kind of violence in America. We must unite as one nation to condemn it. It’s sick, it’s sick”.
Vice-President Kamala Harris also released a statement, underlining that she is “relieved” Donald Trump was not seriously injured.
“We are praying for him, his family, and all those who have been injured and impacted by this senseless shooting.”
According to a statement published on the Republican National Committee (RNC), external website, Donald Trump is “doing well” and is grateful to law enforcement officers.
It says he “looks forward to joining you all in Milwaukee as we proceed with our convention to nominate him to serve as the 47th president of the United States. As our party’s nominee… [he] will continue to share his vision to Make America Great Again,” the statement from the Trump campaign and RNC reads.
Earlier, Donald Trump posted a statement on Truth Social, a platform he founded.
The former president thanked law enforcement officers and the Secret Service for their “rapid response”.
“Most importantly, I want to extend my condolences to the family of the person at the rally who was killed, and also to the family of another person that was badly injured. It is incredible that such an act can take place in our country,” Donald Trump said.
“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. God Bless America!”
It has since been confirmed that President Biden has spoken with Donald Trump.