What we know about the attack that injured former President Trump in Pennsylvania: at least 2 dead

A Donald Trump campaign event in Pennsylvania on Saturday made headlines around the world. In the first known images on television, the Republican candidate was evacuated as gunshots were heard, although Trump was safe and protective measures were in place around him, the Secret Service .

“This is an active investigation by the Secret Service and more information will be released soon,” the federal agency said on the social network X.

A Trump campaign spokesman said the former US president was doing well and was being examined at a local medical facility.

Donald Trump took the stage at his campaign rally behind a podium six minutes into his outdoor speech in Butler, Pennsylvania, with his head turned to the right, under clear skies and scorching summer heat.

Suddenly, sounds similar to gunshots were heard. Trump immediately grabbed his right ear, saw blood on his hand and quickly fell to the ground using the podium as a shield.

The crowd screamed and many ducked for cover.

A half-dozen Secret Service agents quickly ran onto the stage and gathered around Trump, like a human shield as the Republican lay behind the podium. Other agents armed with rifles also took the stage.

There was a second burst of gunfire.

Secret Service agents held Trump on the ground for just under half a minute. Someone was heard yelling, “The attacker is down!” Immediately, another agent yelled, “Move!” while many bystanders continued to yell in confusion, unsure of what was happening.

Agents arrested Trump, who was no longer wearing the red baseball cap with his “Make America Great Again” campaign slogan, his hair was disheveled, his ear was bloody and his face was stained with blood.

“Let me get my shoes, let me get my shoes,” Trump is heard saying as the agents lifted him off the ground. He then said, “Wait, wait, wait,” before beginning to clench his fist.

An officer raised his arm above Trump’s head to shield him from possible gunfire.

Trump continued to shake his fist at the crowd, muttering “fight.” Many in attendance began chanting “USA, USA.”

Armed law enforcement officers were seen on a rooftop near the scene where the former president was standing, while a helicopter circled above the area and law enforcement officers moved through it.

According to Reuters, all attendees of Trump rallies must pass Secret Service bag checks and electronic monitors to verify whether they are carrying weapons before being admitted.

However, an eyewitness told the BBC that he saw the shooter climb onto the roof of a low-rise building just outside the security perimeter with a rifle and alerted nearby police officers to the possible threat.

At first, police appeared confused and did not immediately respond to the warning, he said.

“The next thing you know, five gunshots,” he said. “The Secret Service blew him away. They went up on the roof, they pointed their guns at him, they made sure he was dead, he was dead, and that was it.”

Another witness, Ron Moose, told Reuters what happened. “I heard four shots and I saw the crowd duck and then Trump ducked very quickly as well. Then the Secret Service came in and protected him as soon as they could. We’re talking about it in less than a second, they were all protecting him.”

Moose said he saw a man running and being chased by officers in military uniform. He said he heard more gunshots, but was unsure who fired them. He noted that at the time, snipers had been set up on the roof of a warehouse behind the scene.

Jim Moore, 57, was in the stands behind the stage. He said a man about five rows above him was shot and fell to the ground.

He added that officers came and escorted him behind the stands, where they treated his injuries. “They shot a man who was right behind us. After they pulled Trump away, they took him down — he was walking — and took him behind the stands and laid him down,” Moore said.

Two women in their 60s sitting near the stage told Reuters they saw two people fall into the stands after the shooting and that police were tending to them. Both said they saw police rush to arrest a man.

Minutes later, it was reported that Washington Post political reporter Meryl Kornfield had reported that Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger had said Donald Trump had been shot, although his current condition is that he is safe.

Meanwhile, a bystander at the rally died and the suspected shooter died.

Another person is also in serious condition, according to the prosecutor.