A rally for former President Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, turned chaotic as gunfire erupted, resulting in injuries and panic among attendees. High-profile Republican figures in attendance described the scene as “pandemonium.”
The event, part of Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign, began with the usual fanfare and high energy, as Trump took the stage to “God Bless the USA.” However, just six minutes into his speech on illegal immigration, gunshots rang out, leading to a dramatic response from the Secret Service and the crowd.
Eyewitness Accounts:
Dave McCormick, a Republican Senate candidate from Pennsylvania, recounted a sudden shift from a positive atmosphere to one of fear and chaos. “There was a feel-good mood until the ‘pop, pop, pop’ of gunfire,” McCormick told NBC’s Lester Holt. He witnessed Trump being protected by Secret Service agents as the former president grabbed his ear and fell to the ground.
Rep. Daniel Meuser (R-Pa.) described the moment he heard the shots, estimating between eight and ten were fired. “I saw him grab his ear and then hit the deck,” Meuser recalled, adding that there was blood everywhere as the Secret Service moved swiftly to secure Trump.
Rep. Mike Kelly (R-Pa.), who was seated next to a woman who was injured, compared the scene to something out of a “third world” country. Kelly told CBS News, “Everyone just dropped. A lady who was next to me was hit. Other people were hit.”
The rally continued to be marked by confusion and urgency as the Secret Service evacuated attendees through a single exit, while other exits were blocked. Despite the violence, many in the crowd took Trump’s fist-pumping gesture as a sign of defiance and strength. “You saw the fist come out in both defiance and reassurance of strength,” McCormick told Holt.
Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-Texas) revealed that his nephew, positioned behind Trump, was grazed by a bullet. Jackson emphasized the suddenness of the situation, stating that his nephew heard the shots and immediately dropped to the ground.
The incident left two rally-goers in serious condition, according to reports. The Secret Service’s swift actions and Trump’s immediate response have been highlighted by his allies as a demonstration of his resilience and leadership under pressure.
This tragic event at a Trump rally underscores the ongoing concerns about gun violence and security at political events. As the 2024 election season heats up, the safety of candidates and attendees remains a critical issue.
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