During a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, a shooting incident occurred where former President Donald Trump was speaking. A man named Rico Elmore recounted how he jumped over a barricade to aid an individual who had been shot. Elmore, visibly shaken but unharmed, described putting his hand on the head of the bleeding attendee, whom he did not know.
Reports indicate that shots were fired from outside the rally, leading to chaos and panic among the attendees. The Secret Service confirmed that one person was killed, and two others were critically injured. Former President Trump mentioned being shot in the ear but was reported to be fine by his campaign.
Senate Republican candidate Dave McCormick, who was present at the event, witnessed the immediate aftermath of the attack. He described hearing multiple shots and seeing a person behind him severely injured. McCormick highlighted the swift response of the Secret Service in protecting the president and attending to the wounded.
Another attendee, Joseph Meyn, shared his experience of the shocking incident, noting that many initially mistook the gunfire for fireworks. Meyn emphasized the rapid escalation of the situation and the immediate realization that it was a dangerous situation.
The rally, attended by approximately 15,000 people, had stringent security measures in place, including metal detector screenings for all participants. Despite these precautions, the shooting incident caused widespread confusion and fear among the crowd.
As investigations into the shooting continue, the community and authorities are working to understand the circumstances surrounding the tragic event and ensure the safety of future public gatherings.
