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據兩名執法官員透露,唐納德·特朗普在賓夕法尼亞舉行競選集會發表演講時,現場響起槍聲。據悉,特朗普的耳朵上沾有血跡(他本人聲稱這是槍傷所致)。事發后,特勤人員迅速將他帶離現場,特朗普競選團隊隨后向外界表示他“沒事”。
一名當地檢察官表示,槍擊案嫌疑人已被擊斃,至少一名集會參與者中彈身亡,兩名觀眾受重傷。
槍擊發生約兩個半小時后,特朗普在其真相社交(Truth Social)平臺上發帖稱,一顆子彈 “刺穿了我的右耳上部”。
他在帖子中寫道:“我立即意識到出了問題,因為我聽到了子彈的呼嘯聲和槍聲,緊接著就感到子彈穿透了皮膚,血流不止。我這才意識到發生了什么”。
這次襲擊無疑是自1981年羅納德·里根遭槍擊案以來,針對美國總統或總統候選人最嚴重的暗殺企圖之一。這起事件發生在政治氣氛嚴重兩極分化的背景下,距離美國總統大選僅有四個月,距離特朗普在共和黨全國代表大會上被正式提名為共和黨候總統候選人選人僅幾天時間。
特朗普的助手在13日晚些時候表示,大會(共和黨全國代表大會)將正常舉行,特朗普 “期待著與大家在密爾沃基見面”。
特朗普競選團隊發言人史蒂文·張在一份聲明中表示:“特朗普總統情況還可以,目前正在當地一家醫療機構接受檢查。他對執法人員和急救人員在此次令人震驚的事件中迅速采取行動表示感謝。更多細節將隨后公布?!?/p>
特勤局透露,槍手開槍的位置是 “集會場所外的高處”,并表示特朗普“很安全,正在接受評估”。
美國現任總統喬·拜登在公開講話中強烈譴責這起暴力事件:“美國不允許發生這種暴力事件。這很惡心,太惡心了?!?/p>
兩名不愿透露姓名的官員接受了美聯社(Associated Press)的采訪,討論了正在進行的調查。他們指出,槍手并不是集會參加者,且已被美國特勤局特工擊斃。
他們說,槍手是被美國特勤局反襲擊小組成員擊斃的。這支全副武裝的戰術小隊會緊隨總統和主要政黨提名人,隨時準備應對任何形式的主動威脅,而其他特工則專注于保護和疏散保護中心的人員。
據第三位熟悉此事的人士透露,執法部門在現場找到了一支AR 半自動步槍。由于調查正在進行中,該知情人士未透露其姓名。
負責監管特勤局的美國國土安全部部長亞歷杭德羅·馬約卡斯表示,官員們正在與拜登和特朗普的競選團隊接觸,“采取一切可能的措施確保他們的安全”。
被槍聲打斷的集會
在共和黨全國代表大會開幕前夕的最后一次集會上,共和黨總統候選人唐納德·特朗普正展示一張非法入境人數圖表時,槍聲在下午6點10分剛過突然響起,打破了現場的平靜。
從第一聲槍響開始,到特朗普才被送上一輛等候的 SUV,期間經過了兩分鐘。
就在特朗普演講的時候,一聲爆裂聲劃破了空氣,這位前總統本能地舉起右手捂住右耳,他身后看臺上的人群則顯得十分震驚。
當第一聲槍響“啪”地響起時,特朗普說了聲 “哦”,然后抓了抓耳朵,緊接著又聽到兩聲“啪-啪”槍響,他迅速蹲下身。隨后又聽到更多的槍聲。
可以聽到有人在特朗普演講臺的麥克風附近大喊:“趴下,趴下!”貼身特勤人員迅速反應,將這位前總統撲倒在地,用身體護住特朗普,其他特勤人員則在臺上保持警戒,搜尋威脅。
在數千人的人群中,尖叫聲此起彼伏。一名婦女的尖叫聲尤為刺耳。隨后,聽到有人多次說 “槍手倒下了”,接著有人問 “我們可以行動了嗎?”和 “我們安全了嗎?” 然后,有人下令:“我們行動吧”。
視頻中可以聽到特朗普至少說了兩次:“讓我穿上鞋,讓我穿上鞋?!绷硪粋€聲音說:“好的好的,先生?!?/p>
幾分鐘后,特朗普緩緩站起身,可以看到他的右手捂著臉,臉上似乎沾有血跡。隨即,他向空中揮舞拳頭,似乎兩次向他的支持者們高聲喊出“戰斗”(Fight)一詞,引發了熱烈地歡呼,接著是 “美國,美國”的呼喊聲。
當他重新站起來揮舞拳頭時,人群爆發出一片歡呼聲。
幾分鐘后,他的車隊離開會場。視頻顯示,就在特朗普被送上汽車之前,他還回頭向人群揮了揮拳頭。
聽到聲槍后,目擊者紛紛躲避
在集會現場采訪的記者聽到五六聲槍響,許多人躲到桌子下面躲避子彈。
賓夕法尼亞州共和黨參議員候選人戴夫·麥考密克當時就在演講臺上,緊鄰特朗普右側,他說:“槍聲響起后,每個人都迅速跪下或者采取俯臥姿勢,因為我們都開始意識到發生了什么?!?/p>
麥考密克說,當他看到特朗普舉起拳頭時,他扭過頭看了看,發現后方看臺上已經有人中槍。
麥考密克說,最終,急救人員將傷者從一大群人中抬了出來,進行緊急救治。
在最初的兩三聲巨響之后,人群中的人們顯得有些震驚,但并沒有驚慌失措。一名美聯社記者在現場報道說,槍聲一開始聽起來像是鞭炮聲,也可能是汽車回火的聲音。
然而,隨后更多的槍聲接連響起。當人們意識到時態地嚴重性,恐慌隨之蔓延。人群中響起了急促的警告聲:“趴下!”
事態明顯得到控制,集會人群也清楚特朗普不會再回來發表演講,便開始陸續離開會場。期間,一名坐在電動輪椅上的男子因輪椅電池沒電而被困在場內。幸運的是,其他人注意到了他的困境,并紛紛伸出援手。
警方迅速引導剩余的人群離開會場,美國特勤局特工也對記者們發出了明確的指示“現在就出去。這里是犯罪現場?!?/p>
在集會現場,兩名來自俄亥俄州斯圖本維爾附近的消防員告訴美聯社,在他們在幫助一些似乎受傷的人時,聽到子彈擊中廣播揚聲器的聲音。
“子彈在看臺上亂飛,一顆子彈擊中了揚聲器塔,然后一片混亂?!?其中一名消防員克里斯·塔卡奇說,“我們立即臥倒在地上,隨后看到警察迅速圍向看臺?!?/p>
戴夫·蘇利文(另一名消防員)說:“我最先聽到的是幾聲爆裂聲?!?/p>
蘇利文說,他看到一個揚聲器被擊中,子彈嗖嗖作響,“我們趕緊臥倒在地上”。
他說,在特勤人員和其他當局人員迅速向特朗普聚攏后,他和塔卡奇協助看臺上可能中彈的兩個人,并清理出一條通道幫助他們離開。
蘇利文說:“對美國來說,這是悲傷的一天?!?/p>
“聽到槍聲后,我們看到液壓油從液壓管里四射噴濺,接著揚聲器塔開始倒塌,”蘇利文說,“然后我們又聽到了一聲槍響,可以確定那是子彈。那不是鞭炮聲?!?/p>
他說:“槍聲不是很大?!?/p>
“你可以聽到子彈掉落在金屬上發出的聲音,”塔卡奇補充道。
后來,他們躲到了一輛農用拖拉機后面。
蘇利文說,他們很擔心特朗普,看到他站了起來。
“他站了起來,做了一個他沒事的動作,”蘇利文說。
政治暴力事件再次震撼美國
1968 年,羅伯特·肯尼迪在加利福尼亞遇刺身亡;1972 年,亞瑟·布雷默開槍重傷喬治·華萊士,當時華萊士正以無黨派人士的身份參加競選,他的競選綱領在某些方面與特朗普的競選綱領有相似之處。這些事件促使美國不斷加強對總統候選人的保護。盡管如此,威脅依然存在,特別是 1988 年對杰西·杰克遜和 2008 年對巴拉克·奧巴馬的威脅。
美國總統的安保級別歷來都很高,尤其是 1963 年約翰·肯尼迪遇刺后,對美國總統地安保措施更是得到了顯著加強。特朗普既是前任總統,又是本屆總統候選人,遭遇槍擊十分罕見。
白宮方面表示,拜登聽取了關于此次槍擊事件的簡報,由美國秘書局局長金伯利·切特爾、國土安全部長亞歷杭德羅·馬約卡斯和白宮國土安全顧問利茲·舍伍德·蘭德爾向其做了最新匯報。
13日晚上八點,拜登向記者表示,盡管還沒能聯系上特朗普,但得到的簡報是這位前總統 "情況良好"。
“我希望今晚能和他通話,”拜登說。
特朗普的長子小唐納德·特朗普在X網站上發布了一張特朗普的照片,照片中滿臉是血地特朗普舉起拳頭,堅定地站在一面美國國旗前,照片下方的配文寫道:“為拯救美國戰斗到底”。
三位被認為是特朗普副總統候選名單上的人選:北達科他州州長道格·伯古姆、佛羅里達州參議員馬可·盧比奧和俄亥俄州參議員JD·萬斯都迅速發表聲明,表達了對這位前總統的關切,盧比奧分享了一張特朗普被護送下臺的照片(照片中特朗普高舉拳頭,臉上帶有一道血痕),并寫道:“上帝保佑特朗普總統?!?/p>
賓夕法尼亞州州長、民主黨人喬?!は钠ち_在X上發表聲明說,他已獲得有關集會事件的簡報,并提到賓夕法尼亞州警方對集會現場進行了必要的警戒工作。
“針對任何政黨或政治領導人的暴力行為絕對不可接受,這在賓夕法尼亞州和整個美國沒有立足之地”他說。(財富中文網)
譯者:梁宇
據兩名執法官員透露,唐納德·特朗普在賓夕法尼亞舉行競選集會發表演講時,現場響起槍聲。據悉,特朗普的耳朵上沾有血跡(他本人聲稱這是槍傷所致)。事發后,特勤人員迅速將他帶離現場,特朗普競選團隊隨后向外界表示他“沒事”。
一名當地檢察官表示,槍擊案嫌疑人已被擊斃,至少一名集會參與者中彈身亡,兩名觀眾受重傷。
槍擊發生約兩個半小時后,特朗普在其真相社交(Truth Social)平臺上發帖稱,一顆子彈 “刺穿了我的右耳上部”。
他在帖子中寫道:“我立即意識到出了問題,因為我聽到了子彈的呼嘯聲和槍聲,緊接著就感到子彈穿透了皮膚,血流不止。我這才意識到發生了什么”。
這次襲擊無疑是自1981年羅納德·里根遭槍擊案以來,針對美國總統或總統候選人最嚴重的暗殺企圖之一。這起事件發生在政治氣氛嚴重兩極分化的背景下,距離美國總統大選僅有四個月,距離特朗普在共和黨全國代表大會上被正式提名為共和黨候總統候選人選人僅幾天時間。
特朗普的助手在13日晚些時候表示,大會(共和黨全國代表大會)將正常舉行,特朗普 “期待著與大家在密爾沃基見面”。
特朗普競選團隊發言人史蒂文·張在一份聲明中表示:“特朗普總統情況還可以,目前正在當地一家醫療機構接受檢查。他對執法人員和急救人員在此次令人震驚的事件中迅速采取行動表示感謝。更多細節將隨后公布?!?/p>
特勤局透露,槍手開槍的位置是 “集會場所外的高處”,并表示特朗普“很安全,正在接受評估”。
美國現任總統喬·拜登在公開講話中強烈譴責這起暴力事件:“美國不允許發生這種暴力事件。這很惡心,太惡心了?!?/p>
兩名不愿透露姓名的官員接受了美聯社(Associated Press)的采訪,討論了正在進行的調查。他們指出,槍手并不是集會參加者,且已被美國特勤局特工擊斃。
他們說,槍手是被美國特勤局反襲擊小組成員擊斃的。這支全副武裝的戰術小隊會緊隨總統和主要政黨提名人,隨時準備應對任何形式的主動威脅,而其他特工則專注于保護和疏散保護中心的人員。
據第三位熟悉此事的人士透露,執法部門在現場找到了一支AR 半自動步槍。由于調查正在進行中,該知情人士未透露其姓名。
負責監管特勤局的美國國土安全部部長亞歷杭德羅·馬約卡斯表示,官員們正在與拜登和特朗普的競選團隊接觸,“采取一切可能的措施確保他們的安全”。
被槍聲打斷的集會
在共和黨全國代表大會開幕前夕的最后一次集會上,共和黨總統候選人唐納德·特朗普正展示一張非法入境人數圖表時,槍聲在下午6點10分剛過突然響起,打破了現場的平靜。
從第一聲槍響開始,到特朗普才被送上一輛等候的 SUV,期間經過了兩分鐘。
就在特朗普演講的時候,一聲爆裂聲劃破了空氣,這位前總統本能地舉起右手捂住右耳,他身后看臺上的人群則顯得十分震驚。
當第一聲槍響“啪”地響起時,特朗普說了聲 “哦”,然后抓了抓耳朵,緊接著又聽到兩聲“啪-啪”槍響,他迅速蹲下身。隨后又聽到更多的槍聲。
可以聽到有人在特朗普演講臺的麥克風附近大喊:“趴下,趴下!”貼身特勤人員迅速反應,將這位前總統撲倒在地,用身體護住特朗普,其他特勤人員則在臺上保持警戒,搜尋威脅。
在數千人的人群中,尖叫聲此起彼伏。一名婦女的尖叫聲尤為刺耳。隨后,聽到有人多次說 “槍手倒下了”,接著有人問 “我們可以行動了嗎?”和 “我們安全了嗎?” 然后,有人下令:“我們行動吧”。
視頻中可以聽到特朗普至少說了兩次:“讓我穿上鞋,讓我穿上鞋?!绷硪粋€聲音說:“好的好的,先生?!?/p>
幾分鐘后,特朗普緩緩站起身,可以看到他的右手捂著臉,臉上似乎沾有血跡。隨即,他向空中揮舞拳頭,似乎兩次向他的支持者們高聲喊出“戰斗”(Fight)一詞,引發了熱烈地歡呼,接著是 “美國,美國”的呼喊聲。
當他重新站起來揮舞拳頭時,人群爆發出一片歡呼聲。
幾分鐘后,他的車隊離開會場。視頻顯示,就在特朗普被送上汽車之前,他還回頭向人群揮了揮拳頭。
聽到聲槍后,目擊者紛紛躲避
在集會現場采訪的記者聽到五六聲槍響,許多人躲到桌子下面躲避子彈。
賓夕法尼亞州共和黨參議員候選人戴夫·麥考密克當時就在演講臺上,緊鄰特朗普右側,他說:“槍聲響起后,每個人都迅速跪下或者采取俯臥姿勢,因為我們都開始意識到發生了什么?!?/p>
麥考密克說,當他看到特朗普舉起拳頭時,他扭過頭看了看,發現后方看臺上已經有人中槍。
麥考密克說,最終,急救人員將傷者從一大群人中抬了出來,進行緊急救治。
在最初的兩三聲巨響之后,人群中的人們顯得有些震驚,但并沒有驚慌失措。一名美聯社記者在現場報道說,槍聲一開始聽起來像是鞭炮聲,也可能是汽車回火的聲音。
然而,隨后更多的槍聲接連響起。當人們意識到時態地嚴重性,恐慌隨之蔓延。人群中響起了急促的警告聲:“趴下!”
事態明顯得到控制,集會人群也清楚特朗普不會再回來發表演講,便開始陸續離開會場。期間,一名坐在電動輪椅上的男子因輪椅電池沒電而被困在場內。幸運的是,其他人注意到了他的困境,并紛紛伸出援手。
警方迅速引導剩余的人群離開會場,美國特勤局特工也對記者們發出了明確的指示“現在就出去。這里是犯罪現場?!?/p>
在集會現場,兩名來自俄亥俄州斯圖本維爾附近的消防員告訴美聯社,在他們在幫助一些似乎受傷的人時,聽到子彈擊中廣播揚聲器的聲音。
“子彈在看臺上亂飛,一顆子彈擊中了揚聲器塔,然后一片混亂?!?其中一名消防員克里斯·塔卡奇說,“我們立即臥倒在地上,隨后看到警察迅速圍向看臺?!?/p>
戴夫·蘇利文(另一名消防員)說:“我最先聽到的是幾聲爆裂聲?!?/p>
蘇利文說,他看到一個揚聲器被擊中,子彈嗖嗖作響,“我們趕緊臥倒在地上”。
他說,在特勤人員和其他當局人員迅速向特朗普聚攏后,他和塔卡奇協助看臺上可能中彈的兩個人,并清理出一條通道幫助他們離開。
蘇利文說:“對美國來說,這是悲傷的一天?!?/p>
“聽到槍聲后,我們看到液壓油從液壓管里四射噴濺,接著揚聲器塔開始倒塌,”蘇利文說,“然后我們又聽到了一聲槍響,可以確定那是子彈。那不是鞭炮聲?!?/p>
他說:“槍聲不是很大?!?/p>
“你可以聽到子彈掉落在金屬上發出的聲音,”塔卡奇補充道。
后來,他們躲到了一輛農用拖拉機后面。
蘇利文說,他們很擔心特朗普,看到他站了起來。
“他站了起來,做了一個他沒事的動作,”蘇利文說。
政治暴力事件再次震撼美國
1968 年,羅伯特·肯尼迪在加利福尼亞遇刺身亡;1972 年,亞瑟·布雷默開槍重傷喬治·華萊士,當時華萊士正以無黨派人士的身份參加競選,他的競選綱領在某些方面與特朗普的競選綱領有相似之處。這些事件促使美國不斷加強對總統候選人的保護。盡管如此,威脅依然存在,特別是 1988 年對杰西·杰克遜和 2008 年對巴拉克·奧巴馬的威脅。
美國總統的安保級別歷來都很高,尤其是 1963 年約翰·肯尼迪遇刺后,對美國總統地安保措施更是得到了顯著加強。特朗普既是前任總統,又是本屆總統候選人,遭遇槍擊十分罕見。
白宮方面表示,拜登聽取了關于此次槍擊事件的簡報,由美國秘書局局長金伯利·切特爾、國土安全部長亞歷杭德羅·馬約卡斯和白宮國土安全顧問利茲·舍伍德·蘭德爾向其做了最新匯報。
13日晚上八點,拜登向記者表示,盡管還沒能聯系上特朗普,但得到的簡報是這位前總統 "情況良好"。
“我希望今晚能和他通話,”拜登說。
特朗普的長子小唐納德·特朗普在X網站上發布了一張特朗普的照片,照片中滿臉是血地特朗普舉起拳頭,堅定地站在一面美國國旗前,照片下方的配文寫道:“為拯救美國戰斗到底”。
三位被認為是特朗普副總統候選名單上的人選:北達科他州州長道格·伯古姆、佛羅里達州參議員馬可·盧比奧和俄亥俄州參議員JD·萬斯都迅速發表聲明,表達了對這位前總統的關切,盧比奧分享了一張特朗普被護送下臺的照片(照片中特朗普高舉拳頭,臉上帶有一道血痕),并寫道:“上帝保佑特朗普總統?!?/p>
賓夕法尼亞州州長、民主黨人喬?!は钠ち_在X上發表聲明說,他已獲得有關集會事件的簡報,并提到賓夕法尼亞州警方對集會現場進行了必要的警戒工作。
“針對任何政黨或政治領導人的暴力行為絕對不可接受,這在賓夕法尼亞州和整個美國沒有立足之地”他說。(財富中文網)
譯者:梁宇
Donald Trump appeared to be the target of an assassination attempt as he spoke during a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday, two law enforcement officials said. The former president, his ear covered in blood from what he said was a gunshot, was quickly pulled away by Secret Service agents and his campaign said he was “fine.”
A local prosecutor said the suspected gunman and at least one attendee are dead. The Secret Service said two spectators were critically injured.
Posting on his Truth Social media site about two and a half hours after the shooting, Trump said a bullet “pierced the upper part of my right ear.”
“I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin,” he said in the post. “Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening.”
The attack, by a shooter who law enforcement officials say was then killed by the Secret Service, was the most serious attempt to assassinate a president or presidential candidate since Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981. It comes amid a deeply polarized political atmosphere, just four months from the presidential elections and days before Trump is to be officially named the Republican nominee at his party’s convention.
Trump’s aides said late Saturday that the convention would proceed and Trump “looks forward to joining you all in Milwaukee.”
“President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act,” spokesman Steven Cheung said in a statement. “He is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility. More details will follow.”
The Secret Service said the suspected shooter fired from “an elevated position outside of the rally venue.” Trump is “safe and being evaluated,” the agency said.
“There’s no place in America for this type of violence,” President Joe Biden, who is running against Trump as the presumptive Democratic nominee, said in remarks. “It’s sick. It’s sick.”
Two officials spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity to discuss the ongoing investigation. They said the shooter was not an attendee at the rally and was killed by U.S. Secret Service agents.
The officials said the shooter was engaged by members of the U.S. Secret Service counterassault team. The heavily armed tactical team travels everywhere with the president and major party nominees and is meant to confront any active threats while other agents focus on safeguarding and evacuating the person at the center of protection.
Law enforcement recovered an AR·style rifle at the scene, according to a third person familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the ongoing investigation.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, whose department oversees the Secret Service, said officials were engaged with the Biden and Trump campaigns and “taking every possible measure to ensure their safety and security.”
A rally disrupted by gunfire
Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee, was showing off a chart of border crossing numbers during his last rally before the Republican National Convention opens Monday when the apparent shots began just after 6:10 p.m.
It took two minutes from the moment of the first shot for Trump to be placed in a waiting SUV.
As Trump was talking, a popping sound was heard, and the former president put his right hand up to his right ear, as people in the stands behind him appeared to be shocked.
As the first pop rang out, Trump said, “Oh,” and grabbed his ear as two more pops could be heard and he crouched down. More shots are heard then.
Someone could be heard saying near the microphone at Trump’s lectern, “Get down, get down, get down, get down!” as agents tackled the former president. They piled atop him to shield him with their bodies, as is their training protocol, as other agents took up positions on stage to search for the threat.
Screams were heard in the crowd of several thousand people. A woman is heard screaming louder than the rest. Afterward, voices were heard saying “shooter’s down” several times, before someone asks “are we good to move?” and “are we clear?” Then, someone ordered, “Let’s move.”
Trump could be heard on the video saying at least twice, “Let me get my shoes, let me get my shoes,” with another voice heard saying, “I’ve got you sir.”
Trump got to his feet moments later and could be seen reaching with his right hand toward his face. There appeared to be blood on his face. He then pumped his fist in the air and appeared to mouth the word “Fight” twice his crowd of supporters, prompting loud cheers and then chants of “USA. USA. USA.”
The crowd cheered as he got back up and pumped his fist.
His motorcade left the venue moments later. Video showed Trump turning back to the crowd and raising a fist right before he was put into a vehicle.
Witnesses heard multiple gunshots and ducked for cover
Reporters covering the rally heard five or six shots ring out and many ducked for cover, hiding under tables.
“Everybody went to their knees or their prone position, because we all knew, everyone becoming aware of the fact this was gunfire,” said Dave McCormick, the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania, who was sitting to Trump’s right on stage.
As he saw Trump raise his fist, McCormick said, he looked over his shoulder and noticed someone had been hit while sitting in the bleachers behind the stage.
Eventually, first responders were able to carry the injured person out of a large crowd so he could get medical care, McCormick said.
After the first two or three bangs, people in the crowd looked startled, but not panicked. An AP reporter at the scene reported the noise sounded like firecrackers at first or perhaps a car backfiring.
But then there were more shots. Panic set in as people realized what was happening. Shouts of “Get down!” rang through the crowd.
When it was clear the situation had been contained and that Trump would not be returning to speak, attendees started filing out of the venue. One man in an electric wheelchair got stuck on the field when his chair’s battery died. Others tried to help him move.
Police soon told the people remaining to leave the venue and U.S. Secret Service agents told reporters to get “out now. This is a live crime scene.”
Two firefighters from nearby Steubenville, Ohio, who were at the rally told the AP that they helped people who appeared injured and heard bullets hitting broadcast speakers.
“The bullets rattled around the grandstand, one hit the speaker tower and then chaos broke. We hit the ground and then the police converged into the grandstands, said Chris Takach.
“The first thing I heard is a couple of cracks,” Dave Sullivan said.
Sullivan said he saw one of the speakers get hit and bullets rattling and, “we hit the deck.”
He said once Secret Service and other authorities converged on Trump, he and Takach assisted two people who may have been shot in the grandstand and cleared a path to get them out of the way.
“Just a sad day for America,” Sullivan said.
“After we heard the shots got fired, then the hydraulic line was spraying all around, you could see the hydraulic fluid coming out of it. And then the speaker tower started to fall down,” Sullivan said. “Then we heard another shot that, you could hear, you knew something was, it was bullets. It wasn’t firecrackers.”
“They weren’t super loud shots,” he said.
“You could hear it landing, ammunition landing, on metal,” Takach added.
Then they took cover behind a farm tractor.
Sullivan said they were concerned for Trump and saw him stand up.
“He got up and he gave a motion he was OK,” Sullivan said, raising a fist as Trump had.
Political violence again shakes America
The perils of campaigning took on a new urgency after the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy in California in 1968, and again in 1972 when Arthur Bremer shot and seriously hurt George Wallace, who was running as an independent on a campaign platform that has sometimes been compared to Trump’s. That led to increased protection of candidates, even as the threats persisted, notably against Jesse Jackson in 1988 and Barack Obama in 2008.
Presidents, particularly after the assassination of John F. Kennedy in 1963, have even greater layers of security. Trump is a rarity as both a former president and a current candidate.
Biden was briefed on the incident, the White House said. He received an updated briefing from Kimberly Cheatle, the director of the United States Secretary Service, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, and White House homeland security adviser Liz Sherwood·Randall.
He told reporters after 8 p.m. that he hadn’t been able to reach Trump yet but was briefed that the former president was “doing well.”
“I hope I get to speak to him tonight,” he said.
Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., posted a photo on X of Trump, his fist raised and his face bloody in front of an American flag, with the words: “He’ll never stop fighting to Save America.”
North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and Ohio Sen. JD Vance, the three men on Trump’s shortlist for vice president, all quickly sent out statements expressing concern for the former president, with Rubio sharing an image taken as Trump was escorted off stage with his fist in the air and a streak of blood on his face along with the words “God protected President Trump.”
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, said in a statement on X that he had been briefed on the situation and Pennsylvania state police were on hand at the rally site.
“Violence targeted at any political party or political leader is absolutely unacceptable. It has no place in Pennsylvania or the United States,” he said.