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A man claiming to be an eyewitness at the political rally where former President Trump was shot said he had warned Secret Service and police of a suspicious-looking person with a rifle crawling on the roof of a one-story building to the right of the stage where Trump spoke, the BBC reported.
“He had a rifle. We could clearly see him with a rifle,” the witness identified only as Greg said in a video interview. “We’re pointing at him. The police are down there running around on the ground – we’re like ‘hey man there’s a guy on the roof with a rifle’ and the police did not know what was going on.”
Video of the rally shows Trump grabbing at the side of his face as eight shots were heard. He ducked before Secret Service agents rushed to stage to surround him. Images showed blood spattered across Trump’s face as he was led to a vehicle.
The Secret Service shot and killed a suspected shooter, according to law enforcement officials.
Trump’s campaign said he was taken to the hospital after the incident and that he’s “fine.” The campaign thanked “law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act.”
The White House said President Biden was briefed on the incident.
Trump had been speaking at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday afternoon.
“I am horrified by what happened at the Trump rally in Pennsylvania and relieved that former President Trump is safe. Political violence has no place in our country,” Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, Democrat and majority leader, said in a statement.
The Secret Service asked members of the news media to leave roughly 20 minutes after Mr. Trump left the stage, declaring the rally site a crime scene.
“My thoughts and prayers are with former President Trump,” Representative Hakeem Jeffries of New York, the Democratic leader, said in a statement. “I am thankful for the decisive law enforcement response. America is a democracy. Political violence of any kind is never acceptable.”
“Tonight, all Americans are grateful that President Trump appears to be fine after a despicable attack on a peaceful rally,” Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and the Republican leader in the Senate, said in a statement. “Violence has no place in our politics. We appreciate the swift work of the Secret Service and other law enforcement.”
Ronald Reagan in 1981 was the last U.S. president to face an assassination attempt.
“Laura and I are grateful that President Trump is safe following the cowardly attack on his life,” former President George W. Bush said in a statement. “And we commend the men and women of the Secret Service for their speedy response.”