Former President Donald Trump was rushed off stage on Saturday after an apparent assassination attempt during a rally in Pennsylvania. The incident, which occurred just minutes into his address, left the former president with injuries.

The ordeal began abruptly when gunfire erupted amidst the crowd, initially mistaken for firecrackers by attendees. Chaos ensued as the reality of the situation unfolded, with former President Trump visibly injured, having blood on the side of his head and ear. He was swiftly escorted into an SUV by his security detail, managing to acknowledge the crowd with a raised fist before being whisked away.

Jake Rosen of CBS News spoke to an attendee who is also emergency room doctor. “I heard the shots. I thought it was firecrackers to begin with,” the doctor explained. “Somebody over there was screaming, ‘he’s been shot, he’s been shot.’ So I made my way over. I said, I’m an emergency department physician.”

As the doctor navigated through the panicked crowd, he found the injured individual, severely wounded and trapped between benches. “Let me help you,” he recounted saying. “The guy had spun around and was jammed between the benches. He had a head shot here. There was lots of blood. And he had brain matter there.”

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“Was it the only one person shot that you saw?” Rosen asked.

“Yeah,” the doctor said.

U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser (R-PA) was in the front row alongside Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) and Senate candidate Dave McCormick at the time of the incident. The congressman reported that he heard 8-10 shots and believed to see multiple people down in the front row.

Just minutes into the former president’s speech, what sounded like gunfire erupted just after 6 p.m. Eastern Time. Secret Service agents immediately dove on the former president, who appeared to be grabbing his ear. He was then helped to his feet by Secret Service agents before giving a thumbs up to the crowd. The president’s ear appeared to be bleeding, though it is unclear if he has sustained any additional injuries at this time.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro said, “Violence targeted at any political party or political leader is absolutely unacceptable,” adding that he had been briefed on the situation in Butler County. A spokesperson for Trump said, “President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act. He is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility. More details will follow.”

The individual responsible for the shooting was not a participant at the rally and was killed by U.S. Secret Service agents, according to officials.

“This horrific act of political violence at a peaceful campaign rally has no place in this country and should be unanimously and forcefully condemned,” said Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA)

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