Former President Donald Trump, in a message posted on his Truth Social account about 2 ½ hours after Saturday night's shooting, said he knew "immediately" that something was wrong as the shots rang out during his rally speech.
"Nothing is known at this time about the shooter, who is now dead," Trump posted. "I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear. I 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 rose after moments after the shots rang out, with blood on his ear and face, and raised a fist before he was helped to his motorcade.
Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger said Trump was grazed by gunfire but is safe. A member of the audience was also killed, and another is in serious condition, he said.
A witness told the BBC that he saw the shooter on an adjacent building near the rally and warned police before the shots rang out.
Goldinger said that the assassination attempt would have required a rifle, as the shots rang out over several hundred yards.
Trump, in his post, thanked the U.S. Secret Service and law enforcement for their response.
"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," he said. "It is incredible that such an act can take place in our Country. GOD BLESS AMERICA!"
Sandy Fitzgerald ✉
Sandy Fitzgerald has more than three decades in journalism and serves as a general assignment writer for Newsmax covering news, media, and politics.
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