Former US president and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump on Saturday escaped a bid on life during a rally in Pennsylvania after an attacker opened fire. One spectator was killed and two others injured in the incident while the attacker was shot dead by a member of the Secret Service.
Trump, who was seen with blood pouring out from the side of his face, took to his social media platform Truth Social to issue his first statement. "I want to thank the United States Secret Service, and all of Law Enforcement, for their rapid response to the shooting that just took place in Butler, Pennsylvania," the former president said.
"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," he said.
The shooting happened around 6:15 pm local time when the suspected shooter fired multiple shots toward the stage from an elevated position outside of the rally venue.
However, Trump made no mention of the shooter. "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 realised then what was happening. God bless America!" Trump said.
The shocking incident happened two days before the start of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, where Trump will formally become the party's nominee.
President Joe Biden reacted to the shooting and said there was no place in America for political violence like this. He expressed concern for his Republican opponent and said he hoped to speak with him later tonight.
"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," he said.
Vice President Kamala Harris said she has been briefed on the shooting at former president Trump's event in Pennsylvania.
"Doug and I are relieved that he is not seriously injured. We are praying for him, his family, and all those who have been injured and impacted by this senseless shooting. We are grateful to the United States Secret Service, first responders, and local authorities for their immediate action," she said.
"Violence such as this has no place in our nation. We must all condemn this abhorrent act and do our part to ensure that it does not lead to more violence," she added.