I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear
Former United States President Donald Trump has been shot in the ear during a campaign rally in an attack that drew condemnation from leading Republicans and Democrats and is being investigated as an assassination attempt.
The shooting on Saturday streaked blood across Trump’s face and set off panic among the thousands of people attending the rally in the city of Butler in Pennsylvania.
Trump’s campaign said the Republican presidential candidate was “doing well” after the shooting, which the former leader said pierced the upper part of his right ear. At least one spectator was killed and two others were critically wounded, according to authorities.
The Secret Service said it shot the suspected assailant dead.
The shooting took place after Trump, 78, just started his speech. The former president grabbed his right ear with his right hand, then brought his hand down to look at it before dropping to his knees behind the podium. Secret Service agents then swarmed Trump, before he emerged and pumped his fist in the air, appearing to mouth the words “Fight! Fight! Fight!”
He was later whisked from the stage and ushered into a vehicle.
“I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear,” Trump said on his Truth Social platform following the shooting. “Much bleeding took place.”
The FBI called the attack an “assassination attempt” and said it had taken the lead in investigating the case.
Kevin Rojek, a spokesman for the agency, said officials have identified the shooter, but would not release details. He added that a motive was not immediately clear.
aljazeera.com