Former President Donald Trump was wounded on a Pennsylvania campaign stage by a sniper’s bullet Saturday night in an apparent assassination attempt that nearly claimed his life, law enforcement sources told The Post.
The Secret Service said that Trump is safe, and a campaign spokesperson said he is fine, and being checked out at a local medical facility.
The shooter was killed by a Secret Service assault team.
One other person, believed to be a civilian standing behind Trump on the podium was killed by the snuper, sources said.
“He came within inches of having his face shot open,” a senior law enforcement source told The Post.
The attack is believed to have come from a sniper positioned on a building hundreds of yards from the former president — outside the security cordon, according to law enforcement sources.
Following the attack on Trump at a rally in Butler — about 35 miles north of Pittsburgh — nine shots rang out and Trump ducked for cover before being surrounded by Secret Service agents, video from the event shows.
Early reports suggest that a sniper on a roof of a building outside the rally took aim at Trump, according to law enforcement sources, witnesses and video posted to social media.
One Trump supporter told the BBC that he spotted an apparent sniper armed with a rifle on the roof of a building outside the security perimeter of the rally.
The reported witness said he and friends, who were hosting a party outside the rally, watched the man open fire.
Video that is reportedly from the scene shows the gunman dead on the roof of a warehouse, with Trump supporters gathered around.
Following the shooting just minutes into the rally, Trump — with blood staining the side of his face and mouth — was shown telling the Secret Service agents surrounding him to wait, gave a defiant fist pump to the crowd.
After the initial shot rang out, apparently grazing Trump, the rest of the shots that could be heard were gunfire from law enforcement, sources said.
A streak of blood could be seen on the right side of his face.
Soldiers in military gear were seen rushing into the rally.
Nine shots could be heard in video of the incident, including three before Trump ducked.
Law enforcement sources said that he appeared to be grazed by a ricochet.
The gunman, a white male, was neutralized, according to law enforcement sources
Members of the crowd could be heard screaming in panic as several pops could be heard.
Thousands had attended the campaign rally in Butler, where Trump was rumored to make an announcement about his Vice Presidential pick ahead of the Republican National Convention next week.
“President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act. He is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility. More details will follow,” said Trump spokesman Steven Cheung.
While no official statement has been released about who fired the shots or what happened to them, sources said that the threat was neutralized.
“An incident occurred the evening of July 13 at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania. The Secret Service has implemented protective measures and the former President is safe. This is now an active Secret Service investigation and further information will be released when available,” the Secret Service said in a statement.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.