A possible assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump’s life took place today (July 13) during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
A statement released by the U.S. Secret Service says that at “approximately 6:15 p.m., a suspected shooter fired multiple shots toward the stage from an elevated position outside of the rally venue. US Secret Service personnel neutralized the shooter, who is now deceased.”
“US Secret Service quickly responded with protective measures and the former president is safe and being evaluated,” the statement added. “One spectator was killed, two spectators were critically injured. The incident is currently under investigation and the Secret Service has formally notified the Federal Bureau of Investigation.”
Expected to officially become the Republican nominee for president at next week’s Republican National Convention, Trump posted on Truth Social, thanking the “United States Secret Service and all of Law Enforcement, for their rapid response on the shooting that just took place in Butler, Pennsylvania.”
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However, Trump 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,” Trump added. “Nothing is known at this time about the shooter, who is now dead.”
Trump shared that he was “shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear” and that he “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.” Trump concluded by saying, “GOD BLESS AMERICA!”
Video of the rally shows Trump taking cover as soon as he realized he was the target of gunfire. At that moment, United States Secret Service agents shielded the former President with their bodies while the area was being secured. As they took him off the stage, Trump turned to the crowd, with blood coming from his right ear running down his cheek, raised his fist and yelled, “Fight! Fight! Fight!”
Surrounded by Secret Service agents, Trump was able to walk to his vehicle where they immediately rushed him to an undisclosed facility in order to receive medical attention.
Warning: Graphic video
Church Leaders, Politicians, and Christian Influencers Respond
President Joe Biden posted on X that he had been “briefed on the shooting at Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania. I’m grateful to hear that he’s safe and doing well. 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,” he added. “There’s no place for this kind of violence in America. We must unite as one nation to condemn it.”
“May God protect all who serve us,” Southern Baptist Theological Seminary President Al Mohler said. “Thankful former President Trump is safe. We need to know what happened here. This kind of attack is an attack upon our entire political system and our commitment to ordered liberty. Let’s pray for our nation.”
Ed Stetzer, editor-in-chief of Outreach Magazine and dean of Talbot School of Theology at Biola University, wrote, “I’m not going to post the video, but I am praying for former President Trump…and for our nation right now. I hope you will join me.”
Franklin Graham, president and CEO of Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, posted, “I thank God that former President @realDonaldTrump is alive. Our prayers are also with the others injured at the rally today and the family of the individual who was killed.”
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