Former President Donald Trump, in an email to his supporters, sent a short but defiant message after he was injured in an ‘assassination attempt’ during his rally on Saturday night in Butler, Pennsylvania. “THIS IS A MESSAGE FROM DONALD TRUMP,” the brief email read. “I WILL NEVER SURRENDER!” The email signed off with his signature and portrait.
Trump was hit in the ear by a gunman in a chaotic and shocking incident that fueled tensions ahead of the US presidential election. The 78-year-old former president was rushed off stage with blood streaked across his face after the shooting in Pennsylvania, while the gunman and a bystander were killed and two spectators critically injured.
As multiple bangs ran out, Trump, wearing a red “Make America Great Again” cap, grimaced and clutched a hand to his ear, with blood visible on his ear and cheek. The Republican candidate raised a defiant fist to the crowd as he was bundled away to safety and said afterward “I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear.”
President Joe Biden, who is set to face Trump in November’s deeply polarized election, said the incident was “sick” and added that there was “no place in America for this kind of violence.” Biden later spoke to Trump, the White House said, in their first contact since a debate just over two weeks ago in which the president gave a disastrous performance.
The US Secret Service said in a statement that the suspected shooter “fired multiple shots toward the stage from an elevated position outside the rally” before being “neutralised” by agents. It confirmed the death of a spectator while two others were critically injured.
The shooter has not yet been identified. Unconfirmed images appeared to show the assailant’s body lying on the sloping roof of low building from where he had fired.
US political figures including former presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton lined up to condemn the attack and say there was no place for violence in politics.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said he was “deeply concerned” by the attack on his friend and former US president. “Strongly condemn the incident. Violence has no place in politics and democracies. Wish him speedy recovery,” he said in a post on social media. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the deceased, those injured and the American people,” he added.
HOW THE ATTACK UNFOLDED
As the first pop rang out, Trump said, “Oh,” and grabbed his ear as two more pops could be heard and he crouched down. More shots were heard then.
Someone could be heard saying near the microphone at Trump’s lectern, “Get down, get down, get down, get down!” as agents tackled the former president. They piled atop him to shield him with their bodies, as is their training protocol, as other agents took up positions on stage to search for the threat.
Screams were heard in the crowd of several thousand people. A woman screamed louder than the rest. Afterward, voices were heard saying “shooter’s down” several times, before someone asked “are we good to move?” and “are we clear?” Then, someone ordered, “Let’s move.”
Trump could be heard on the video saying at least twice, “Let me get my shoes, let me get my shoes,” with another voice heard saying, “I’ve got you sir.”
Trump got to his feet moments later and could be seen reaching with his right hand toward his face. There appeared to be blood on his face. He then pumped his fist in the air and appeared to mouth the word “Fight” twice his crowd of supporters, prompting loud cheers and then chants of “USA. USA. USA.” The crowd cheered as he got back up and pumped his fist.
His motorcade left the venue moments later. Video showed Trump turning back to the crowd and raising a fist right before he was put into a vehicle.
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