By BRIAN PORTER | Rocky Mountain Voice
The sound of multiple gunshots rang out Saturday at former President Donald Trump’s rally in Butler, Penn., split seconds before he seemed to reach for his right ear and went to the ground behind the podium from which Mr. Trump was speaking.
He was quickly surrounded by numerous Secret Service agents.
As Mr. Trump asked the crowd if he could go “off-script”, he presented a chart of border crossing data and the sound of gunfire could be heard on the broadcast. When the Secret Service allowed him up to be rushed to a vehicle, Mr. Trump appeared to have blood on his face and from the ear, but no other noticeable injury. He pumped his fist to the crowd in a defiant act presumed to indicate he was not seriously harmed and seemed to say, “Fight! Fight!”
Fox News host Bret Baier reported Trump’s ear was nicked by gunfire, but “he’s OK”. Still images aired by Fox also showed blood coming from the top of his right ear. Fox News shared a Trump campaign communications statement that read: “he is fine”.
Fox News’ Brit Hume said, “These images will live with us for a long time.”
Video seemed to indicate the shots coming from Trump’s extreme right as his head was turned to the right. Maps created by the media confirm that location.
The rally was televised live by Fox News and Newsmax, among other media organizations. An estimate of 15,000 attended the rally. Eyewitness David McCormick on Fox News indicated the distinct sound of gunfire, “an attack directed at the president”.
The Associated Press reports the would-be assassin, Thomas Matthew Crooks, age 20, and a rally attendee are dead.
“He’s very lucky to be alive,” said McCormick, who is running for the Pennsylvania Senate seat.
Added Jondavid Longo, Slippery Rock, Penn., mayor: “This is representative of the way some seem to feel for people with conservative ideas in this country.”
This is a breaking story. More detail will be shared as it becomes available.