President Trump is safe after an assassination attempt by a sniper in Pennsylvania, where he was rallying supporters just days before the Republican National Convention. The gunman, who fired from an adjacent building, fatally shot at least one rally attendee and critically injured two more before he was killed by law enforcement, according to the Secret Service. 

Trump said in a statement on his social media platform, Truth Social, that he was “shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear.”

He wrote that he, “knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin. Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening. GOD BLESS AMERICA!”

Late Saturday night, the New York Post identified the shooter as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania.

President Biden condemned the attempt on Trump’s life, saying Americans “cannot condone” political violence. Mr. Biden also says he hopes to speak with his predecessor once all medical evaluations are complete. 

Mr. Biden was attending Mass during the shooting. When he returned to his beach home in Delaware, he received a briefing from top aides on the situation, including the director of the Secret Service and the secretary of homeland security.

“Look, there’s no place in America for this kind of violence. It’s sick. It’s sick,” said Mr. Biden during remarks to reporters. “We cannot be like this. We cannot condone this.” 

In response to the attempted assassination, security at Trump Tower in New York was heightened.

Just minutes after Trump began his prepared remarks at the Butler County rally Saturday, what sounded like several gunshots rang out, prompting the former president to quickly turn his head to the right. Just moments later, Trump grabbed the side of his head before crouching to the ground at the direction of his Secret Service detail. 

More than half-a-dozen law enforcement agents rushed the stage to protect Trump. Several officers wearing body armor and carrying high-powered assault rifles covered the former president and told the protective detail that the shooter was down. 

Trump then stood up surrounded by several Secret Service agents and raised his fist in the air for the crowd to see, seemingly mouthing the words “fight” as his supporters cheered. 

According to photographs and videos of the event, Trump was seen with blood smeared across the front of his face as he was led off the stage. His ear was also covered in blood from the apparent gunshot wound. 

Shortly after Trump left the grounds of the rally, his spokesman, Steven Cheung, said the former president was “fine” and headed to a medical evaluation nearby. “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 Secret Service has implemented protective measures and the former President is safe,” a spokesman for the agency, Anthony Guglielmi, said in a statement. “This is now an active Secret Service investigation and further information will be released when available.”

Just minutes after the shooting occurred, President Biden and Vice President Harris received briefings from their national security teams, the White House announced. 

The historic attempt on Trump’s life came less than 48 hours before he is due to kick off the Republican National Convention in Wisconsin, where he will be formally nominated as the GOP’s candidate for president.