Former President Donald Trump was escorted off stage by Secret Service agents at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, after a series of loud noises, possibly gunshots, were heard. Trump was covered in blood but was reported to be OK. The source of the noises and whether anyone else was hurt remains unclear. The rally has been declared a crime scene and is under investigation.
The Wall Street Journal reported that one of the shooters was killed by the Secret Service. Secret Service agents can be heard saying, “Drop the shooters.” A bystander also appears to have been killed, according to sources.
There appears to be some blood around Trump’s ear and face as he is escorted off the stage. He appears to be fine. You can hear him giving instructions to the Secret Service.
President Biden has issued a statement and will address the nation.
Former President Obama tweeted:
House Speaker Mike Johnson said:
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tweeted:
Donald Trump Jr. Tweet:
Ivanka Trump’s daughter tweeted:
The Republican National Convention is set to begin on Monday and conclude with the formal nomination of former President Trump as the nominee. It will be interesting to see how these events will go. The United States is sitting on the edge of a precipice.
Personally, I hope that calm prevails and that people come together and personally demand an end to the rhetoric on both sides because it has never worked and will never work. Hate is not the answer. Prayers for peace.