Several world leaders have condemned the shooting at Donald Trump’s Pennsylvania rally in which the former US president was shot in the upper ear.
One rally participant died and two others were injured.
Leaders from several nations wished Trump a speedy recovery and said that political violence, in any form, has no place in society.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called the shooting incident at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania “concerning and confronting.”
In a post on X, Albanese said: “The incident at former President Trump’s campaign event in Pennsylvania today is disturbing and confronting. There is no place for violence in the democratic process. I am relieved to hear reports that former President Trump is now safe.”
Donald Trump was onstage at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, before shots rang out and Secret Service agents stormed the stage, The Hill reported. Secret Service agents surrounded the Republican candidate and escorted him offstage, with blood visible on his face.
He raised his fist toward the crowd as he was escorted away by law enforcement officers. According to a statement from the U.S. Secret Service, one bystander was killed, another was seriously injured, and the incident is under investigation. Hours after the shooting, Donald Trump said the bullet pierced the top of his ear.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he and his wife were shocked by the apparent attack on Trump and prayed for his speedy recovery.
Taking to X, Netanyahu stated: “Sara and I are shocked by the apparent attack on President Trump. We pray for his safety and speedy recovery.”
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was “horrified” by the shocking scenes at Trump’s rally and said political violence in any form had no place in society.
In a statement shared on X, Starmer said: “I am appalled by the shocking scenes at President Trump’s rally, and we send him and his family our best wishes. Political violence in any form has no place in our societies, and my thoughts are with all the victims of this attack.”
Honduran President Xiomara Castro de Zelaya offered support to Trump following the shooting incident. Speaking to X, she stated: “Violence breeds more violence. I regret what is happening in the United States electoral process. My solidarity with Donald Trump.”
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he was “sickened” by the shooting at Donald Trump’s rally and stressed that political violence is never acceptable.
Taking to X, Trudeau declared: “I am disgusted by the shooting of former President Trump. It cannot be overstated — political violence is never acceptable. My thoughts are with former President Trump, those at the event and all Americans.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he was “shocked” to learn about the shooting incident at Trump’s Pennsylvania rally. He said he was relieved to hear that Trump was safe and wished him a speedy recovery.
“I am shocked to learn about the shooting of former US President Donald Trump at his rally in Pennsylvania. Such violence has no justification and has no place anywhere in the world. Violence should never prevail. I am relieved to know that Donald Trump is now safe and I wish him a speedy recovery. My condolences go to the loved ones of the victim of this attack, a rally participant. I extend my wishes for strength to all who are horrified by this event. I wish America to emerge stronger from this,” Zelenskyy posted on X.
Offering support to Trump following the shooting incident, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said: “My thoughts and prayers are with President @realDonaldTrump in these dark hours.”
Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi “strongly condemned” the incident and said “there is no place for violence in politics”. PM Modi said he was “deeply concerned” over the attack on Trump.
Taking to X, PM Modi wrote, “Deeply concerned by the attack on my friend, former President Donald Trump. I strongly condemn the incident. Violence has no place in politics and democracies. I wish him a speedy recovery.”
The gunman who attempted to assassinate former US President Donald Trump has been identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Cooks.
Gunmen in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, fired shots, one of which grazed Trump’s ear, at an outdoor rally in Butler. Thomas Matthew Cooks was planted on the roof of a factory located more than 300 feet away from the stage at the Butler Farm Show Grounds, the New York Post reported, citing sources.
US Secret Service snipers shot him, and an AR-style rifle was later recovered. Bethel Park is a village 40 miles south of where Trump’s rally was held in Butler. The motive behind the shooting of the presumptive Republican presidential nominee is unclear.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is leading the investigation into the shooting incident at former US President Donald Trump’s rally.
In a statement, the FBI said special agents from the FBI’s Pittsburgh Field Office responded immediately and will include members of the crisis response team and evidence response technicians.
The FBI said it will continue to support this investigation with all the resources of the investigative agency. It also asked people to let them know if they have any information about the incident.
In a statement shared on X, the FBI said: “The FBI has assumed the role of lead federal law enforcement agency in the investigation of the incident involving former President Donald Trump that occurred earlier today in Butler, Pennsylvania.”
“Special agents from the FBI Pittsburgh Field Office responded immediately, including members of the crisis response team and evidence response technicians. We will continue to support this investigation with the full resources of the FBI, along with our partners at the U.S. Secret Service and state and local law enforcement. Anyone with information that could assist in the investigation is urged to call our tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI,” it added.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro says former President Donald Trump has left the Butler area following the shooting at a rally on Saturday (local time).
In a statement posted to X, Shapiro said: “Under the protection of the U.S. Secret Service and with the assistance of the Pennsylvania State Police, former President Trump has now left the Butler area. Lori and I are grateful that his team reports he is safe and well, and we continue to wish him a full and speedy recovery. We mourn the loss of life and pray for the two victims who are being treated at this time.”
He expressed gratitude to the police officers who responded to the incident, protected Trump and worked to bring the situation under control. He said law enforcement officials will continue to lead the investigation into Trump’s shooting.
In the post on X, he further said: “I am grateful to all law enforcement agencies who responded, protected the former President, and worked to bring the situation under control. Federal law enforcement authorities will continue to lead the investigation into the shooting of former President Trump. The Pennsylvania State Police will lead the investigation into the shooting of the other victims.”
“I have been in regular communication with law enforcement on the ground in Pennsylvania and have spoken with President Biden, who has offered his full support. As we wait to learn more about the investigation, I am aware of how painful and shocking this event is to so many of our fellow Pennsylvanians. I respectfully ask that we treat our fellow Americans with respect and join in universal condemnation of the unacceptable violence we witnessed earlier today in Butler,” he added.
A shooting at a Pennsylvania rally on Saturday (local time) that injured Trump has raised concerns about political violence and heightened awareness of past attacks and assassination attempts against presidents and candidates, CBS News reported.
According to a 2008 report compiled by the Congressional Research Service, direct attacks on presidents, presidents-elect and candidates have occurred on 15 separate occasions, with five resulting in death, according to CBS News. Of the 45 individuals who have served as president, 13 have been victims of actual assassinations or attempted assassinations. The number does not include the shooting incident involving Trump.
